DeKalb County CEO Cochran-Johnson hosts Fifth Small Business Summit, her first as CEO

DECATUR, GA– Hundreds of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders gathered yesterday at the Emory Conference Center Hotel for the DeKalb County Small Business Summit, a tradition launched by CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson during her tenure as District 7 Commissioner and continued this year in her first term as CEO. 

Over the past four years, the summit has become a cornerstone event for advancing economic development in DeKalb, equipping small businesses with the tools, training, and connections needed to thrive.

Co-hosted by the Decide DeKalb Development Authority and the DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, this year’s summit was held under the theme “Navigating Small Businesses During Uncertain Economic Times.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of DeKalb’s economy,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “My administration is committed to ensuring that entrepreneurs have the resources, training, and access to opportunities they need to grow and thrive. This summit reflects our ongoing priority to make DeKalb County a hub of innovation and economic vitality.”

Attendees praised the event for its organization and impact. One participant shared, “Thank you for hosting the Small Business Summit. It was well organized and informative, providing ripe networking opportunities which I took advantage of.”

Featured Sessions & Keynote

The summit featured four panel sessions covering the most pressing needs of small businesses:

• Starting a Business in an Uncertain Climate — moderated by Frankie Atwater, Sr., President and CEO of DeKalb Chamber, with leaders including J.R. McNair (The Velocity Co.), Katrina Young (Decide DeKalb), Roman Ptakowski (SCORE North Metro Atlanta), Norma Zuniga-Cardoza (GHCC Hispanic Business Center), and Ashley Gavens (Marsh McLennan Agency).
• Funding, Grants & Financial Solutions: Surviving Economic Instability — moderated by Troy Vincent, CEO Engraving House, with experts such as Terri Denison (U.S. Small Business Administration), Allen Mitchell (DeKalb County Community Development), Geoffrey Loften (Decide DeKalb), Glenn Bachman (ACE), and Elizabeth Irausquin (Prospera).
• Business Growth, Survival & Sustainability — moderated by Dorian DeBarr, President Decide DeKalb, with Erin Egleheart (Emory University StartMe), Lorne Green (WorkSource DeKalb), Dr. Tavarez Holston (GA Piedmont Technical College), Veronica Maldonado-Torres (Georgia Hispanic Chamber), and Earl Walker (Image360 Tucker).
• How to Become a Vendor & Do Business with DeKalb County Government — featuring county leaders including Michelle Butler, Chief Procurement Officer; Phyllis Douglas, Esq., LSBE Program Manager; Juliana Njoku, Planning & Sustainability Director; Larry Labbe, Chief Fire Marshal; and ShaTausa Edwards, Procurement Operations Manager

The program also included a fireside chat moderated by CEO Cochran-Johnson with Terri Denison, Stacey Key, and Veronica Maldonado-Torres; a keynote address by James “Jay” Bailey, President & CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs; and a WorkSource DeKalb rapid response presentation by Anthony Sims. 

Sponsors

The event was made possible through the generous support of sponsors:

• Presenting Sponsor: DeKalb County
• Gold Sponsor: Decide DeKalb Development Authority
• Silver Sponsors: BenchMark Management; DeKalb WorkSource Georgia; International Design Services
• Bronze Sponsors: Advance Engineering and Construction, LLC; Atlanta Black Expo; C.D. Moody Construction Co., Inc.; JACOBS; Pond; RB Communications; The Collaborative Firm
• Media Sponsor: DeKalb County DCTV23

Continuing the Legacy

As CEO Cochran-Johnson’s first business summit in her new role, the event builds on her broader economic development agenda, which emphasizes supporting small business growth, attracting investment, and creating pathways for local entrepreneurs to do business with DeKalb County.