An accomplished Columbus, Mississippi-based entrepreneur, Jabari O. Edwards has had business interests in the insurance, security and construction industries. He is the founder and owner of J5 GBL, a construction management firm that has worked on key projects for global companies operating in the US. Jabari Edwards engages in numerous community initiatives to improve people’s lives through organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The NAACP’s mandate is to secure and promote social, political, educational and economic equality, with an aim of eliminating discrimination based on race. The NAACP has initiatives such as providing economic opportunities through its Economic Department to address challenging economic issues that affect colored people, such as high unemployment, poverty, foreclosures, and lack of affordable housing, among others.
The Economic Department seeks ways to empower African-Americans and other underprivileged groups by providing financial education, career advancement, and inclusivity in business hiring and procurement, among other matters. Local communities are empowered with key resources and tools to develop sustainable economic models that promote equity and diversity. Also, the Economic Department ensures that both government and industry stakeholders create an enabling environment that bridges racial inequality, particularly in employment, entrepreneurship, wealth creation, and lending.
Jabari Edwards 