Jabari Edwards named 2021-2022 Our Mississippi Businessman of the Year

Our Mississippi Honors Chair Wesley Wells has announced that Columbus, Mississippi businessman Jabari Edwards has been named its Businessman of the Year.

“We are honored to select Mr. Edwards as our Businessman of the Year,” Wells said. “I’ve come to know and respect Jabari for the work he has done across this state and country. But the main thing that stands out to me is his passion for developing other minority businesses. He truly believes in bringing others along and helping them succeed. That’s special!”

Edwards will be recognized at the 2022 Our Mississippi Honors Awards Gala scheduled for May 13-14, 2022 in Tupelo. The event was postponed this year because of concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Edwards is an accomplished entrepreneur who has established leadership stakes in various businesses throughout the country during a 20-year career. Edwards has led activities at the environmental consulting firm J5 GBL, LLC, since establishing the company in 2000 and continues to manage majority ownership of North Atlantic Security Company, BH Properties, and The Bridge Group, LLC, an insurance brokerage firm with clients such as MGM Mirage and the US Secretary of State Global Embassy Arts. The Bridge Group, LLC, was acquired from Wells Fargo. As the chief executive officer of J5 GBL, he works in construction and project management roles on behalf of companies operating on the international stage.

Wells said other announcements regarding the event will be coming soon.

We’re looking to expand and come back even stronger,” Wells added. “We have become one of the largest corporate events in the state and we’re looking to add things to make it even better. Stay tuned.”