Join Corinne Goble and Ericka Johnson, Partner, Nelson Mullins, for a timely workshop focused on Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) and the evolving federal funding landscape. The House of Representatives has proposed $27 million for WBCs in its FY2025 budget, with individual centers potentially receiving up to $150,000. However, delays in the budget resolution process in both the House and Senate—and a likely delay by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in issuing a timely Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), in alignment with the Trump administration’s proposed budget—have raised significant operational and legal concerns for many WBCs.
During this session, we’ll explore practical strategies to navigate these uncertainties, discuss key legal and compliance considerations, and provide an update on the status of the budget resolution. We’ll also highlight the advocacy efforts of the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) and how we are working to ensure continued support for WBCs nationwide.
This session is for WBCs only.
Guest Speaker Ericka Johnson
Ericka Johnson is a Partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, based in Washington, D.C. She advises nonprofit organizations—including Women’s Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers, and veteran-serving entities—on federal grants compliance and strategic funding use. Ericka previously served as federal grants compliance counsel for the State of New Jersey, where she oversaw the compliant deployment of $430 million in CARES Act funds. Her practice includes advising companies on leveraging federal grants to support school district contracts, and representing nonprofits during Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigations and congressional inquiries. In addition to her legal work, Ericka serves as a Marine Corps Reservist, where she acts as a Preliminary Hearing Officer presiding over cases referred to general court-martial.