WS Chronicle

BRIDGET ELAM 

THE CHRONICLE 

 In the heart of East Winston stands a beacon of economic empowerment, sustainability and community transformation – the S.G. Atkins Enterprise Center. More than just an office space or event venue, the Center is a model for revitalization and inclusive growth. 

Founded by Winston-Salem State University and named after the visionary educator Simon Green Atkins, the S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation (SGACDC) launched in 1998 with a bold mission: to uplift the Columbia Heights, Claremont and East Winston neighborhoods through homeownership, business development and cultural preservation. 

At the helm of this grassroots movement is Executive Director Carol T. Davis, whose leadership since 2001 has sparked growth from the ground up. 

A Business Incubator Rooted in Purpose 

The cornerstone of SGACDC’s efforts is the Enterprise Center, a 40,000-square-foot LEED-certified facility on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Once a vacant Boys & Girls Club, the building has been transformed into a dynamic business incubator, conference space and innovation hub. 

Inside, entrepreneurs can access over 45 fully equipped office suites, high-speed internet, receptionist services, and business coaching. Programs like the Center for Homeownership and on-site workshops offer resources for aspiring business owners and first-time homebuyers alike. It’s a nurturing space where small businesses are born and ideas blossom into enterprises. 

Perhaps most notable is the Center’s role as Forsyth County’s first permitted shared-use commercial kitchen. This facility allows local food entrepreneurs to launch catering services, baked goods businesses, and meal prep ventures without the steep overhead. This turns dreams into economic reality. 

Simon’s Green Acre: Where Growth Takes Root 

Just beyond the Center’s walls is Simon’s Green Acre, a thriving community garden planted on a repurposed football field. Established in 2011, the garden provides fresh produce for local food pantries, seniors and volunteers, while also supplying farm-to-table ingredients for catered events held on-site. 

A Gathering Place for the Community 

What used to be a gymnasium now houses a state-of-the-art conference and banquet center. With over 4,700 square feet of adaptable space and capacity for more than 300 guests, the venue hosts weddings, corporate retreats, nonprofit galas, and neighborhood forums. The outdoor space, complete with a gazebo and landscaped garden, offers a peaceful retreat within city limits. 

The facility’s full-service catering, event coordination, and audiovisual capabilities make it a go-to destination for those seeking affordable elegance with a mission-driven impact. 

Housing That Builds Wealth, Not Just Shelter 

Beyond entrepreneurship, SGACDC is actively reshaping the housing landscape. In collaboration with HUD and Forsyth County, the organization has developed over 30 affordable homes – many equipped with solar panels – offering working families a path to homeownership and long-term financial stability. 

By prioritizing affordability and energy efficiency, SGACDC is not only addressing the housing crisis but also promoting wealth-building in historically marginalized communities. 

A Model of Holistic Development 

The S.G. Atkins Enterprise Center is more than the sum of its parts. It’s a living ecosystem of empowerment — where business incubation meets urban farming, where affordable housing meets entrepreneurial training, and where local ownership is the foundation of community transformation. 

From food startups to first-time homeowners, from banquet guests to budding CEOs, the Center represents a vision of Winston-Salem where opportunity is planted, nurtured, and shared. 

In a city marked by economic disparity, the S.G. Atkins Enterprise Center is a flourishing example of what’s possible when institutions invest not only in infrastructure, but also in people. 

For more information on booking event space, launching a business, or getting involved in community initiatives, visit www.sgacdc.com.