Getting connected at Working Class Wednesday

 

Working Class Wednesday, an event that aims to bridge the gaps between local businesses, leadership and the community, held its ultimate networking experience last week at Prive Lounge.

Terrance L. Barber, founder and CEO of Working Class Wednesday, believes that this event was necessary for the local community.

“My goal has been to merge the local economy and local businesses with the local community,” he said.

Business and politics was the special edition for this evening event focusing on small businesses and local candidates who are running for office.

Cydnee Brown, candidate for Leon County Judge Seat 3, discussed the importance of knowing who the judges are when voting.

“So many people when they go to vote they never know who the judges are on the ballot. I get people as an attorney, every election cycle people are calling me, emailing me, texting me, who are we voting for because they don’t know the judges,” she said.

Through many trials and tribulations, Brown’s experiences have led her to vie for a position as a judge in the county court.

“A county court is considered a people’s court. A lot of people come there and don’t even have attorneys. As a county court judge, you need a people’s judge. Someone that comes from among the constituency that they’re serving, and that’s what I am. So who better to sit and hear people’s causes than someone that’s been where they been through.”

Carrie Litherland, a 25-year-old single mom who is running for mayor, says it is time to put the community’s voice back into city hall.

“I think our voice of the community has been left out and drowned out by the political leaders, developers and corporations and I really just want that community voice back. It’s time that we look at what exactly the community is asking for and making that happen,” she said.

Several local businesses were also in attendance to network and market their products.

Tangela Loften, founder and owner of Sweet Face, a homemade natural and organic beauty fusions, explained how her 3-year-old business was inspired by her grandmother.

“This is something that I got from my grandma. She would have different herbs and things in the yard and when we were sick she would go out to her plants and boil up some tea. So when I had my kids I started making products to give to them,” she said.

Teresa Jordan, owner of Dainty Sweets, a baker of custom cakes and homemade deserts for 15 years, hopes to have her own store in the near future.

“I pretty much hope to have a store front soon and open multiple bakeries,” she said.

About 200 people were in attendance for this networking mixer.  They socialized, drank and enjoyed the music of the live DJ.

Working Class Wednesday is an event that takes place once a month at a different venue.