Foresight Communications wins SBA Woman-Owned award

A Columbia-based communications firm with a national reach was named the 2026 Woman-Owned Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

It is one of the highest honors attained by Foresight Communications, a strategic communications and consulting firm founded by a young entrepreneur in 2005.

The honor was announced as the SBA celebrated National Small Business Week, observed May 3-9 and honoring outstanding small businesses across all 50 states, districts and territories.

Foresight Communications was formally recognized during the 13^th annual Small Business Week Conference hosted by the city of Columbia today, May 6, at the University of South Carolina Alumni Center, 900 Senate St.

Founded by then 23-year-old entrepreneur Courtney Young, Foresight Communications has grown from a startup into a thriving strategic advisory firm with government contracts and partnerships in more than 17 states, according to a news release. Over the past two decades, the company has worked to build a reputation for delivering high-impact communications strategies for federal, state and local clients.

“What an honor and privilege to accept this year’s Woman-Owned Business of the Year award,” said Young, president and CEO of the company. “As you can imagine, I was deeply moved when I received the call that I had won this title. This recognition is a testament to what’s possible when vision, resilience and purpose align. From our early days as a small startup to becoming a national force in strategic communications and workforce solutions, we’ve remained committed to delivering meaningful messaging that impacts numerous industries and future generations to come.”

As an SBA 8(a) Business Development Program success story, Foresight Communications exemplifies how strategic support and determination can fuel sustainable growth and longevity, the SBA said in the news release. The company’s trajectory underscores the importance of investing in women-owned businesses and creating pathways for diverse leadership to thrive.

The continued growth of Foresight Communications has contributed to economic development in both South Carolina and nationwide, creating jobs, supporting public sector missions, and demonstrating the far-reaching impact of small businesses, the organization stated.