Candice Ward
Candice and her boyfriend Michael have been active participants in Southern’s credit and home buying counseling services. They have used Southern’s free tax preparation service, participated...
Kelly Hollis
EcoPump HVAC, led by Kelly Hollis Jr., is a heating and air, energy efficiency, and controls/instrumentation business that services a number of communities throughout the state of Arkansas. When the business was created in 2023, Kelly had plenty of experience and expertise in the trade to do the work, but along the way learned that he had room to grow on the business side of entrepreneurship – particularly with access to funding to secure and scale his operations.
After completing our Micro Business Empowerment Program, EcoPump HVAC is now thriving with the tools it needs to succeed, having expanded its operations and revenue streams, created new jobs for its community, and even started the first Black-owned HVAC control/instrumentation apprenticeship program in the state of Arkansas.
Vernetha Jackson
At age 63, grandmother and beloved public school employee Vernetha Jackson thought her dream of homeownership was destined to remain just that, a dream. However, Southern...
Matt Inman
A Helena Native, Matt Inman had long been enamored with the city’s historic downtown. That’s why when it came time for him to return home after...