Black History Month is more than a commemoration. It’s a powerful reminder of the remarkable innovations, creativity and legacies continually being built, shaping a future we all benefit from and can be inspired by. It reminds us to honor the vision and achievements of Black leaders whose impact continues to shape our world.
Looking back, we celebrate the trailblazers who opened doors and redefined possibility. Looking forward, we recognize the innovation and leadership of today’s changemakers, including entrepreneurs and founders, ensuring future generations see themselves reflected in stories of progress and possibility.
At Edson E+I Institute, we are proud to uplift Black‑owned businesses, including those we’ve collaborated with, and highlight the incredible work they continue to do.
Spotlight: The Sea Moss Bosses
Photo: Jacary Hawkins and Paris Hawkins of The Sea Moss Bosses
Jacary Hawkins, Founder and CEO of The Sea Moss Bosses, recognized a gap in access to essential vitamins and minerals within the community. Driven by a desire to make wellness more accessible, he created The Sea Moss Bosses to offer natural, easy-to-use products that support healthier lifestyles. Today, the company provides sea moss gel, capsules and flavored blends designed to meet people where they are on their health journeys.
Since connecting with E+I, Jacary has actively participated in events, expanded his professional network and earned $10,000 in funding through the Chandler Endeavor Venture Challenge. He regularly attends events alongside his wife and children, demonstrating his commitment not only to entrepreneurship but also to family and community. His wife, Paris Hawkins, is also a partner in the business—further reinforcing the values of collaboration and shared purpose that guide their venture.
The Sea Moss Bosses Q&A
E+I: As we celebrate Black History Month, how does the concept of ‘legacy’ influence the way you lead your business every day?
Jacary: Legacy influences the way I lead my business every day by pushing me to operate with integrity in everything we do. I am not building for short-term wins. I am building something that is meant to last, something my family and community can be proud of for generations.
E+I: What has been the most rewarding part of transitioning your vision into a reality?
Jacary: The most rewarding part of turning my vision into reality has been the impact we have made in the community and in people’s lives. Many people want to take better care of their health, but do not know where to start when it comes to vitamins and minerals. Becoming a trusted resource and a beacon of light in that journey has been incredibly fulfilling.
E+I: In what specific way did the resources or mentorship at E+I help you move the needle on your business goals?
Jacary: E+I played a critical role in helping move the needle for my business. Through mentorship, resources and funding, I was able to clearly define my vision and create a strategy to scale it to the next level. That support directly contributed to our growth, including the ability to hire a new team member to help us expand our reach and impact.
Spotlight: ARG Coaching & Consulting Group
Photo: Angela Garmon of ARG Coaching & Consulting Group
The next business we’re honored to highlight is ARG Coaching & Consulting Group, founded by Angela Garmon. ARG is a change management consulting firm that partners with organizations nationwide to support leadership development and organizational growth. In 2021, Angela also launched a nonprofit initiative designed to support small and diverse businesses across the state.
Angela’s leadership and impact have earned national recognition. In 2025, she was named a WBENC WBE Star, an honor awarded to only 14 women-owned businesses nationwide—out of more than 25,000 certified WBEs.
Angela has collaborated with E+I in many meaningful ways, such as serving as a mentor in programs like Small Business Academy, acting as a judge for the Chandler Endeavor Venture Challenge and contributing as an ongoing E+I mentor. She also leads the SEE ME Program, which she regularly hosts at The Studios @ Mesa City Center. The Mesa Tribune recently highlighted her work supporting Black entrepreneurs and recognizing her continued commitment to equity and opportunity within the business community.
The ARG Coaching & Consulting Group Q&A
E+I: Who is a Black leader or entrepreneur—past or present—who inspired you to start this journey?
Angela: American civil rights activist Marian Wright Edelman once said, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Growing up in a blue-collar household, my parents taught us that the path to a successful life was to find a 9-to-5 job, stay with one company and retire. I was conditioned to believe that working for someone else was the only option and that wealth was generated through a pension or a 401(k).
I did exactly that. For more than 15 years, I worked in the hotel industry, spending 13 of those years with one company. That chapter came to an end when I involuntarily transitioned out of the industry due to an acquisition, which ultimately led me to accept a role at the Harding Firm. At the time, the owner, Kina Harding, was transitioning from a solo practitioner to a brick-and-mortar operation and preparing to scale.
Kina was the first woman (and, importantly, the first Black woman) I had ever seen build a business from the ground up. I worked alongside her for two years, helping to establish systems, processes and procedures, build her team and scale the firm. Our time together inspired me. Kina had a clear vision for her business, and together we brought that vision to life.
Working alongside her showed me what was possible. Seeing a Black woman build and grow a successful business gave me permission to imagine a different path for myself. She continues to be an inspiration to this day and proof that when you can see it, you begin to believe that you can be it too.
E+I: What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring Black entrepreneur who is just starting to tackle their ‘big idea’?
Angela: “Don’t play small! Put yourself in rooms that will stretch you, while giving you access to the resources, education and strategic partnerships you need to scale your business.”
When I first started my business, ARG Coaching & Consulting Group LLC (ARG), I had a huge vision of building a national company that supported organizations and their leaders across the U.S. As a first-generation entrepreneur, I had no idea how to make that vision a reality. I went from networking event to networking event because that was what I knew, but I struggled to find the introductions to the corporations that I needed to grow. I took whatever opportunity came my way to build credibility and stay motivated, even the unpaid ones.
At that time, I was also enrolled in a bachelor’s program. The university’s community liaison, Hue Haslim, invited me to an event hosted by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). That event was my first real introduction to corporate partners who actively advocated for the small business community. One of the corporate partners was Salt River Project (SRP). Connecting with SRP gave me access to programs such as the then Small Business Leadership Academy, now known as the Small Business Academy Powered by SRP, and introduced me to resources to scale my business, like business certification.
Not fully understanding the impact certification could have on my business, it took nearly two years before I certified ARG as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Our regional affiliate, WBEC-West, has since become one of our most valuable resource partners, and SRP remains one of the strongest small business advocates in the state. After becoming certified in 2019, our revenues grew, and in 2021, ARG secured its first corporate contracts, serving leaders across the U.S.
For over two years after starting my business, I was so focused on what I didn’t have and staying comfortable that my business did not grow. That experience shaped my advice: Don’t play small! Put yourself in rooms that will stretch you, while giving you access to the resources, education and strategic partnerships you need to scale your business.
Today, ARG holds several certification distinctions and continues to support businesses both locally and nationally, large and small, including clients like SRP and ASU. Nurturing relationships that go back as far as when I joined NAWBO allowed me to build ongoing strategic collaborations. Starting your entrepreneurial journey is easy. Persevering and stepping into your vision despite uncertainty and difficult times are what build your legacy of leadership and resilience.
E+I: If you could describe the impact E+I has had on your entrepreneurial growth in one sentence, what would it be?
Angela: E+I didn’t just support my entrepreneurial journey; they helped transform me from a participant and volunteer into a trusted thought leader, mentor and program facilitator.
Read more about Angela’s impact here.
Looking Forward: A Community of Growth
Innovation and entrepreneurship thrive when more voices, perspectives and lived experiences are part of the conversation. By highlighting Black leaders, creators and visionaries—past and present—we’re not only honoring their impact, but we’re also making space for the next wave of bold ideas to rise. Representation ensures that future innovators see what’s possible, feel empowered to build on that legacy and continue shaping breakthroughs that move all of us forward.
Edson E+I is deeply honored to work alongside Jacary Hawkins and The Sea Moss Bosses, as well as Angela Garmon and ARG Coaching & Consulting Group. Our collaborations with these leaders have been inspiring, impactful and a true reflection of the power of community-driven entrepreneurship.
Many new E+I participants have been introduced to our ecosystem through these collaborations, showing how working together strengthens not only individual ventures but the broader entrepreneurial community as a whole. As we celebrate Black History Month, we recognize that leadership and resilience are not just historical themes. They are also living legacies shaped by today’s entrepreneurs.
To get plugged into our uplifting community, check out our various programs and join us at an exciting entrepreneurial event.
