(BBB Heart of Texas)
On Mar. 20, Better Business Bureau Heart of Texas Education Foundation (BBB) and the National Football League Alumni, Inc. (NFL Alumni) officially launched their Trust Champion Alliance partnership which seeks to inspire young adults and support entrepreneurship within the 105 Texas counties served by BBB, including Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, Waco, Bryan-College Station, and Odessa-Midland, as well as other parts of the country. During an exclusive launch event hosted at the University of Texas Club in Austin with key community and business leaders, attendees were able to meet with generations of retired NFL athletes from teams across the nation and hear directly from Carrie Angell Hurt, president and CEO of BBB, Brad Edwards, NFL Alumni CEO, and City of Austin Mayor Kirk Watson about the program’s goals.
“BBB has been a key contributor to Austin’s economic development success, and I applaud them on launching this innovative partnership with NFL Alumni aimed at empowering our next generation of business leaders and strengthening the small businesses that form the backbone of our economy,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. “In the past, BBB has worked closely with the City of Austin, particularly during the pandemic when we needed assistance in administering over $45 million in relief grants to support our local economy. BBB rose to the occasion then, and I am confident they will continue to do so as they launch this program with the NFL Alumni.”
The Trust Champion Alliance will focus its efforts on three main programs:
- Fields to Futures will focus on inspiring engagement and leadership growth among high school students in under-served populations and communities, emphasizing high-demand trade and professional careers.
- First Down Forums will support small business owners and encourage entrepreneurial growth by providing networking opportunities and resources to drive business and community impact.
- Online Training Camp will provide access to specialty curated and custom content for aspiring business leaders and entrepreneurs, including retired and active players, through an online learning model.
“NFL Alumni was pleased to join the Better Business Bureau Heart of Texas Education Foundation for our launch event in Austin,” said Brad Edwards. “By inspiring youth to become tomorrow’s leaders and supporting the success of small businesses, we look forward to positively impacting communities in Texas and other regions across the country.”
With more than a century of experience, BBB has a strong understanding of the needs of today’s business owners. Technological innovations have shifted many aspects of business operations and growth, and there is little indication that this trend will settle soon. Providing a playbook and coaching the next generation of business leaders on how they can find their own version of success is essential to the continued economic growth of Texas and emphasizes the opportunities available outside of a four-year degree path.
“BBB is proud to launch this partnership with NFL Alumni and we are excited for all the opportunities it will bring to strengthen and empower our communities throughout the Lone Star State,” said Carrie Angell Hurt. “The dedication, training, and discipline that each NFL athlete embodies is reflected within every business owner. Both groups of people know what it feels like to put in the hours, make sacrifices, and build a team to accomplish their mission – whether that is getting into the end zone or serving their customers.”