About this Event
The Business in Development Academy (B.I.D.) is a free, expert-led training program developed by Prairie View A&M University Extension to help North Texas entrepreneurs build stronger, more fundable businesses — with the tools, knowledge, and network to pursue government contracts, attract the right opportunities, and grow with confidence. Whether you are just starting out or ready to scale, B.I.D. Academy meets you where you are and takes you further.
WHAT MAKES B.I.D. ACADEMY DIFFERENT
This is not a networking mixer or a one-day seminar. B.I.D. Academy is a structured, multi-session training experience led by working industry professionals who have built businesses, won contracts, and navigated the exact challenges your business faces right now. Every session is designed to connect directly to the next, building your business layer by layer across the full program.
Unlike many programs that focus on theory, B.I.D. Academy delivers practical, immediately applicable knowledge alongside real tools, templates, and resources you can put to work the same week. And because it is developed and delivered through Prairie View A&M University Extension, participants benefit from the credibility, network, and ongoing support of one of the most respected institutions in Texas.
With 450+ entrepreneurs trained and $9.2M+ in contracts won by participants since 2019, the results speak for themselves.
WHAT YOU GET
- Free access to expert-led sessions across April and May 2026
- Training in government contracting, business planning, branding, funding, legal compliance, and more
- A physical and digital workbook with session decks, reference materials, and resources
- Exclusive access to special cohort sessions including Picture This 2: Building Your Brand Story and Digital Skills with Stack Moses of Black Roadie Films
- Free Grow With Google certification registration — earn industry-recognized credentials in Digital Marketing, AI Essentials, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and more at no cost through PV Extension
- A Graduation Ceremony and Luncheon celebrating your completion with certificates, networking, and a business showcase
- Vendor tables at every session for community connections and business promotion
- A network of professionals, partners, and fellow entrepreneurs invested in your success
- Ongoing follow-up coaching and support beyond the core sessions
WHY THE CMBL IS YOUR NEXT MOVE
The Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) is the gateway to government contracting opportunities across Texas — and most small business owners do not know it exists or how to use it. B.I.D. Academy walks you through the entire process, from registration to positioning to winning. Whether you are pursuing government contracts or building your private sector client base, the fundamentals are the same: strong planning, financial literacy, strategic marketing, and compliance mastery. We cover all of it.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Participants who attend all sessions from April 1 through April 28 will receive a Certificate of Completion from Prairie View A&M University Extension. Individual sessions are also open and welcome to all — come for one or come for all.
SESSION SCHEDULE - APRIL 2026 Cohort
April 1 (Wednesday) | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Mesquite Room
Session 1: Cohort Introduction and CMBL Navigation & Government Contracting 101
Dr. Cassandra Bradford | Genesis Preferred Solutions
Tarrant County Resource Connection, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
April 4 (Saturday) | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Session 2: Business Insurance and Bonding
Heather Jefferson | Heritage Insurance Brokerage PLLC
Session 3: Building Strategic Partnerships and Contract Negotiation
Katrina Hawkins | DJH Express Career Pathways
Hosted at DJH Express National Training Academy, 1221 Round Table Drive, Dallas, TX 75247
April 8 (Wednesday) | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Mesquite Room
Session 4: Business Plan Development
Queen Kima, CEO | Queendom Arts Consulting
Tarrant County Resource Connection, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
April 14 (Tuesday) | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Mesquite Room
Session 5: Marketing and Branding
Jared Raines | Signature Style Media
Tarrant County Resource Connection, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
April 22 (Wednesday) | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Mesquite Room
Session 6: Subcontracting Opportunities and Strategic Positioning
Edwin Crittendon, Sr. | NxIntel
Tarrant County Resource Connection, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
April 25 (Saturday) | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Mesquite Room
Session 7: Business and Startup Funding
Dom Lewis | Comerica Bank
Session 8: Legal Structures and Compliance
Brittany Cooks | Cooks Accounting Solutions LLC
Tarrant County Resource Connection, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
April 28 (Tuesday) | 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Mesquite Room
Graduation Ceremony and Luncheon
Celebrate your completion with certificates, networking opportunities, and business showcase presentations.
Tarrant County Resource Connection, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
MAY 2026
May 13 (Wednesday) | 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Maple Room
Special Cohort Session: The Business Blend: Connect, Build, Partner
Business speed networking and resource event
Tarrant County Resource Connection, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
May 27 (Wednesday) | 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Maple Room
Special Cohort Session: Picture This 2 — Building Your Brand Story and Digital Skills
(+ Grow With Google Certification Registration)
Stack Moses | Black Roadie Films
Tarrant County Resource Connection, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
LIMITED TO 40 PARTICIPANTS PER SESSION
Enrollment is capped at 40 to ensure personalized attention and meaningful connections. If we reach capacity, you will be added to our priority waitlist for the next B.I.D. Academy cohort.
Cost: FREE
Open to: All North Texas area entrepreneurs and business owners
QUESTIONS?
Contact: Chelse Lilly, M.S., EA-PV-CED
Learn more about PV Extension CED Tarrant County:
https://www.pvamu.edu/cafnr/extension/community-and-economic-development/
https://linktr.ee/cedtarrantcountyextension
April 1
🕑: 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
CMBL Navigation & Government Contracting 101
Host: Dr. Cassandra Bradford - Genesis Preferred Solutions
April 4
🕑: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Business Insurance & Bonding
Host: Heather Jefferson - Heritage Insurance Brokerage PLLC
🕑: 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Building Strategic Partnerships & Contract Negotiation
Host: Katrina Hawkins - DJH Express Career Pathways
April 8
🕑: 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Business Plan Development
Host: Queen Kima - CEO of Queendom Arts Consulting
April 14
🕑: 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Marketing and Branding
Host: Jared Raines - Signature Style Media
April 22
🕑: 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Subcontracting Opportunities & Strategic Positioning
Host: Edwin Crittendon, Sr. - NxIntel
April 25
🕑: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Business & Startup Funding
Host: Dom Lewis - Comerica Bank
🕑: 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Legal Structures & Compliance
Host: Brittany Cooks - Cooks Accounting Solutions LLC
April 28
🕑: 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Graduation Ceremony & Networking Lunch
May 13
🕑: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
[Special Cohort Session] The Business Blend: Connect, Build, Partner
Info: Business speed networking and resource event
May 27
🕑: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
[Special Cohort Session] Building Your Brand Story and Digital Tools
Host: Stack Moses
Info: Building Your Brand Story and Digital Skills is a special B.I.D. Academy session combining a digital skills and branding walkthrough, free Grow With Google certification sign-up for April cohort members, and a hands-on visual storytelling experience led by cinematographer, Stack Moses.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
2300 Circle Dr, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, United States
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