Figgers Enterprise announced on Wednesday that its founder and CEO, Freddie Figgers, will join the Enterprise Florida (EFI) Board of Directors.
Enterprise Florida is a public-private jobs-creating agency that works to recruit, support, and invest in businesses across the Sunshine State, and support the export of Florida goods and services to different parts of the country. Figgers, a telecom entrepreneur and inventor, will lend his years of business experience to EFI by elevating the needs of small, and Black-owned businesses.
“Many people dream of launching and running a small business. In fact, it is one of the greatest rewards a person can experience,” Figgers said. “But too often, small businesses fail because they lack the capital, mentorship and support to be successful. As someone who went through their fair share of challenges in business, I am joining Enterprise Florida to do my part to help those with big aspirations, but limited resources. I am committed to this state as well as to the business owners who help power it; they are doing the hard work of creating and sustaining jobs pre-and-post the coronavirus pandemic.”
Figgers is the founder of Figgers Communications, the nation’s only Black-owned cell phone company; FiggHealth, which works to improve the standard of care for persons with chronic health conditions by introducing them and their healthcare providers to the latest in health technology; and the Figgers Foundation, a philanthropic organization devoted to supporting children, including young people in the foster care system.
Jamal Sowell, president and CEO of EFI, touted Figgers’ experience, noting how valuable his industry perspective was to the pro-business organization.
“Enterprise Florida is proud to welcome Freddie Figgers to our Board of Directors,” said Sowell. “Freddie’s experience and insight will be invaluable as we continue to position Florida as the epicenter of economic development, both nationally and internationally.”
Figgers was recently profiled by the BBC, detailing his story of being abandoned as a newborn and his journey to becoming one of America’s youngest telecommunications leaders.