BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

Business owners from across Alabama gathered at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex for the Alabama Minority Vendor Conference, which began Friday afternoon with an opening luncheon featuring television personality Egypt Sherrod.

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Following the luncheon, entrepreneurs attended sessions where they heard from industry professionals on how to succeed in their businesses.

"My focus... is really helping to connect the dots, not being a gatekeeper, making sure they understand the resources that are truly available," Sherrod said. "And when we know better, we do better... It's important to have someone who's been there, who's done it and is not charging you for the information, but freely giving it because they want to see

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