Two UNC Greensboro alumnae were recognized Thursday at the 2020 Greensboro Small Business Awards.
The awards, held virtually by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, aimed to celebrate the city’s vibrant community of growing businesses and serve as a thank you and reward for their efforts.
Two Bryan School alumnae, Jasmine Beard ’10 (left) and Kathryn Hubert ’12, were recognized at the 2020 Greensboro Small Business Awards.Jasmine Beard ’10 took home this year’s Minority Small Business Person of the Year award.
Beard started her company, AJOY Consulting, LCC, in 2018. The strategic business consulting company provides multilingual services in support of entrepreneurs and small businesses. In June 2019, Beard left her corporate career after more than five years to focus on the business.
“My mentors, my teachers, my elders, you can’t put a price on your invaluable wisdom,” she said during the ceremony. “Thank you so much for seeing that value and pouring your time and experience into my growth and being a branch on my tree.”
Beard also made sure to thank community members, her fellow nominees, and the chamber for her award.
“This is a huge deal to me, something I don’t take lightly,” she said. “We owe it to our ancestors to continue the legacy work they have done. We owe it to our children to build the community we want for them.”
Outside of work, Beard is an active citizen and a passionate community leader.
Another alumna, Kathryn Hubert ’12, was named Outstanding Employer of the Year by the Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities.
Hubert is the owner and chef at Chez Genèse in downtown Greensboro. The French-inspired cafe was founded in October 2018. Inspired by cousins who have Autism, Hubert and her team train and employ adults with intellectual developmental disabilities.
Hubert hopes to cultivate a strong sense of hospitality and connection, believing that good food brings people together.
“There are so many thriving small businesses that contribute to the community and share their creativity and strong entrepreneurial spirit. The Chamber recognizes the vital role these businesses play in our city and the impact they have on our local economy,” the chamber’s website states.
