Paul Wilson Jr., Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 592)
Paul Wilson Jr., Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, joined host John Ray on this episode of North Fulton Business Radio. He gave an overview of Russell Center, the legacy of Herman J. Russell, the Center’s mission to support Black entrepreneurs, capacity building, collaboration and partnerships, what they’re looking for from mentors and businesses who want to plug in, and much more.
North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs
RICE is an economic mobility engine for the community: driving entrepreneurs and small business owners to innovate, grow, create jobs, and build wealth. They house over 50,000 square feet of convening, meeting, and innovation space in a LEED Silver Certified building, brought to life by a robust offering of educational, networking, mentoring, and capital resources. Part business generator, innovation lab, and museum, RICE invests in Black entrepreneurs, strengthens businesses, and creates community.
Their mission is to inspire and empower Black entrepreneurs.
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Paul Wilson Jr., Vice President of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs
Paul Wilson, Jr., VP of Innovation and Entrepreneurship with The H. J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), is an innovative and effective entrepreneurial leader with nearly 20 years of experience creating and delivering high caliber consulting and training solutions to small businesses, corporations, non-profits, and professionals at all levels. He has extensive industry experience that spans leadership roles in small business development, supply chain management, procurement, and supplier diversity. His expertise includes strategic planning, operational planning, leadership development, digital media, government and corporate contracting, and curriculum design and development.
Most recently Paul served as the Area Director of the UGA Small Business Development Center at Georgia State University. In that position he successfully led a dynamic team that provided consulting services, business solutions, educational training, and market research to startup, growing, and established small businesses that helped them achieve their short and long-term goals.
Previously Paul has leveraged his Master of Science in Organizational Management and Bachelor of Business in Supply Chain Management to impact several industries and companies across the United States. Some of his previous client engagements include Southern Company, Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC), Nevada Energy, Vectren, Louisville Gas & Electric, AEP, Edison Electric Institute, Indiana Utility Association, Utility Purchasing Management Group, San Diego Chargers (NFL), Carolina Panthers (NFL), Minnesota Vikings (NFL), and multiple other organizations.
He is a passionate champion for minority business development, expansion, and retention in the metro Atlanta region, and has built strong partnerships and collaborations with several small business development organizations. In addition to being a published author, he enjoys using his multi-media talents and skills to create digital content that informs, inspires, and challenges entrepreneurs to pursue their maximum potential.
Questions and Topics in this Interview
- Overview of Russell Center and their mission to support Black entrepreneurs
- Strategic planning
- Capacity building
- Collaboration and partnerships
North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.
Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.
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