Renaissance's Annual Event, Small Business, Big Impact! was attended by over 400 sponsors, supporters, Renaissance graduates and students. We celebrated our recent merger with Start Up, and three Renaissance graduates were honored at the event:

Greg Gordon, owner of Pyramind, Inc. - The Institute for Advanced Digital Audio Training was named Established Entrepreneur of the Year.

Uyquanda Armstrong, owner of Romantic Memoirs & Extravagant Gift Baskets, was named the Angela Cain Memorial Award winner.		Simonida Cvejic, owner of Bay Area Medical Academy, was named Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.

This year's event featured a video greeting and commendation from Senator Barbara Boxer, as well as commendations for Renaissance and its three award-winning Entrepreneurs from San Francisco Treasurer Jose Cisneros, State Senator Carole Migden, and Assemblyman Mark Leno. Guests enjoyed fine cuisine provided by Renaissance graduates Paella Catering, Out Of Thyme Catering, Mari's Catering, and Spice Vice, as well as gourmet ice cream scooped by Three Twins Ice Cream.

Our Graduate Marketplace featured sixteen Renaissance graduates, who reported brisk sales of their unique products and gifts. In case you didn't have time to shop at the event, click here to see a complete list of vendors.

Last but not least, the Jules Broussard Band got everyone dancing, and kept the crowd lively all night. It was so much fun, we hope you'll join us again in 2008!

		Lola Whittle, Renaissance's Bayview BRC Director, and Sountru, consultant
Lead Sponsor Citibank's Vicki Joseph and San Francisco Treasurer Jose Cisneros
		Marketplace Vendor Anasa Tatum, owner of Herbal Grace Bath and Body
Renaissance Board Members Sander Straus and Janet Shaver

For sponsorship information for next year's event, please contact:
Sue Ellen Smith at 415-348-6249.