Behind National Invest In America Week℠
From Domestic Doctrine to Global Model: The Transnational Rise of National Invest In Veterans Week® and the Emergence of National Invest In America Week℠
Syndicated: The Multigenerational Legacy of National Invest In America Week℠
National Invest In America Week℠: A Civic Inheritance Reawakened
In the architecture of national progress, certain legacies transcend generations—not through mere memory, but through strategic renewal. National Invest In America Week℠ (NIAW), inaugurated in 2025 by the award-winning team behind National Invest In Veterans Week®, is such a legacy. It resurrects and redefines a visionary doctrine first articulated by President Richard Nixon in 1970, when he proclaimed a national observance to honor the indispensable role of private investment in sustaining American prosperity.
But NIAW is not merely an echo of presidential sentiment—it is a living system of civic regeneration, galvanized by the rare intergenerational arc of its co-founder Jeff Shuford, a decorated Iraq War veteran and visionary technologist. Shuford is the grandson of Jim Freeman, a founding member of The Five Satins, the seminal doo-wop group whose inclusion in Nixon’s 1972 re-election campaign entertainment roster—archived in the Nixon Presidential Library—symbolized a cultural outreach to the soul of American identity.
That lineage—spanning combat boots and vinyl records, civic sacrifice and cultural diplomacy—forms the soul of NIAW.
Held annually from July 1 to July 7, National Invest In America Week℠ serves not as an event, but as a strategic civic platform—inviting regional leaders, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens to engage in actionable economic patriotism. Informed by the Jeff Shuford Roadmap℠, the week leverages decentralized leadership, regional investment hubs, and high-impact storytelling to transform passive support into localized growth.
In a nation reawakening to the urgency of reinvestment—of capital, community, and culture—NIAW emerges not as nostalgia, but as doctrine transformed into destiny. Its founding is not incidental but intentional: an initiative constructed with historical reverence, institutional discipline, and the rare clarity of a founder whose bloodline and blueprint converge at the crossroads of American renewal.
This is not merely a call to invest.
It is a generational baton.
And the hands that now carry it—are building the future.
Syndicated: Dr. Richard S. Freeman: A Legacy of Legal Excellence, Economic Empowerment, and National Leadership
Buffalo Soldier Heritage
Dr. Freeman is a descendant of Buffalo Soldiers who served in the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, known for their discipline, resilience, and service to the nation. His family’s history in military service has influenced his lifelong commitment to leadership and advocacy.
Brother of Jim Freeman, Founding Member of The Five Satins
His brother, Jim Freeman, was a founding member of The Five Satins, a group that made history with the Grammy Hall of Fame-inducted classic “In the Still of the Night.” The song remains one of the most celebrated pieces of American music history.
Nephew of Jeff Shuford, Veteran Entrepreneur and Founder of NIVW
His nephew, Jeff Shuford, continues the family’s legacy of service through National Invest In Veterans Week®, which has been recognized in the Congressional Record for its work in veteran business advocacy.
Conclusion: A Vision for America’s Economic and Legal Future
Dr. Freeman remains committed to advancing policies that promote business growth, workforce development, and economic self-sufficiency. His impact on national policy, business advocacy, and legal reform has created lasting opportunities for entrepreneurs, workers, and veterans. His contributions continue to shape a stronger, more competitive America.
From Washington to Canberra: National Invest In Veterans Week® Defines a Global Framework for Veteran Investment
From Washington to Canberra, a new consensus is taking shape: veterans are not merely to be commemorated—they are to be capitalized. National Invest In Veterans Week® (March 1–7), now recognized on both sides of the Pacific, is rapidly becoming a global framework for institutional veteran investment.
In the United States, venture capital syndicates like MilVet Angels, congressional citations, and Harvard-endorsed reintegration models have reframed the veteran identity from beneficiary to builder. In parallel, Australia's Returned & Services League (RSL) has issued its 2025 Election Asks published March 2025, calling for transformative investments in veteran healthcare, advocacy, and defence self-reliance.
This international alignment marks a shift in public policy, economic strategy, and civic values—anchored in the guiding ethos of National Invest In Veterans Week®:
“Military service is an investment. Let’s yield the return.
Congressman Don Davis: From Congressional Record to Legislative Reform, a Champion for Veterans' Dignity and Economic Empowerment
In a year marked by transformative legislative action for veterans, Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) emerged as a key figure shaping the national veteran policy landscape. From entering National Invest In Veterans Week® into the Congressional Record in 2023 to introducing the Veterans Employment Readiness Yield (VERY) Act in 2025, Davis has demonstrated a sophisticated, sustained commitment to ensuring that America’s heroes are met with dignity—not bureaucracy. His leadership aligns powerfully with the federally trademarked initiative’s core goal: redefining military service as an investment in the nation, deserving of institutional reciprocation.
Congressman John Moolenaar Leads National Charge to Invest in Veterans’ Futures
Congressman John Moolenaar has emerged as a national leader in veteran workforce development, first endorsing National Invest In Veterans Week® in 2021 and now championing the 2025 bipartisan Veterans Fellowship Act to help transitioning service members access long-term civilian careers. His efforts reflect a legislative arc that aligns with the growth of National Invest In Veterans Week®, the only federally trademarked civic observance of its kind, now recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record, endorsed by Harvard Catalyst, and backed by ITA Growth Partners. In March 2025, National Invest In Veterans Week® became the first U.S. veteran business initiative to receive international media recognition, with Canadian industry joining the movement to treat military service as an investable asset. For further reading, visit: Harvard’s spotlight on the initiative and coverage of ITA Growth Partners and international adoption.
Harvard Catalyst Spotlights National Invest In Veterans Week® as Model for Cross-Sector Veteran Empowerment
In January 2025, Harvard Catalyst spotlighted National Invest In Veterans Week® as a model for civic innovation, calling on academic institutions, investors, and government leaders to support veterans not just in transition—but as economic catalysts. This recognition affirms the initiative’s expanding influence, as it becomes the first U.S.-based veteran business observance to gain international recognition, with recent adoption in Canada and the formation of ITA Growth Partners, a family office investing in veteran-owned businesses. With its language embedded in trademark law, the Congressional Record, and global media, National Invest In Veterans Week® is redefining veteran empowerment as a policy, investment, and institutional priority.
Strategic Reflection: National Invest In Veterans Week® and the Codification of a National Doctrine of Veteran Investment
Since its founding in 2019, National Invest In Veterans Week® has operated from a singular premise: the act of military service is itself a profound investment in the nation—and that investment demands a reciprocal, institutional response. This is not a commemorative initiative cloaked in ceremony, but a federally trademarked civic framework, forged to realign national priorities around the economic empowerment of veteran entrepreneurs.
From legal protection to legislative proclamation, from rhetorical adoption to policy implementation, National Invest In Veterans Week® has moved with uncommon discipline across the intersections of law, governance, and language.
Its rising federal footprint is evidenced by two Congressional Record entries:
On May 24, 2023, Rep. Don Davis (NC-01) delivered a House floor speech titled “Investing in Our Veterans” (Vol. 169, No. 88, Page H2588), echoing the core language and principles of the initiative, even without citing it by name.
On March 8, 2024, Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT-02) formally recognized Invest in Veterans Week from the House floor (Vol. 170, No. 42, Page H1049), aligning his remarks with Montana’s official statewide proclamation.
Together, these entries mark a transition from grassroots observance to federal institutional recognition, embedding National Invest In Veterans Week® into the public record of American civic discourse.
Syndicated: From State Capitols to Ivy Gates: Why ‘Investing in Veterans’ Is Becoming a National Civic Mandate
Assemblyman Jake Ashby’s $500 million “Invest in Veterans” proposal in 2022 marked a pivotal turning point in the national recognition that military service demands structural investment—not symbolic acknowledgment. Today, that philosophy drives National Invest In Veterans Week®, a federally trademarked initiative now backed by federal legislation, Harvard-endorsed frameworks, and private sector alignment from companies like Charter Communications. As voices like Ithaka S+R urge elite colleges to invest in veteran access, the message is clear: across government, academia, and industry, investing in veterans is not just a moral obligation—it’s a national imperative.
Lonnell McCall I Appointed Vice President of National Invest In Veterans Week®; Lonnell McCall II Named Senior Spokesperson
As Vice President, McCall will focus on expanding corporate and governmental partnerships, securing additional legislative support, and developing scalable initiatives to enhance veteran business success. His expertise in project execution, workforce development, and organizational strategy has been further strengthened through his recent completion of Cornell University’s Project Leadership program, a prestigious certification from the Cornell University College of Engineering.
Sara Pomposo Appointed Chief Advisor, Audience Growth & Strategic Syndication at National Invest In Veterans Week®
National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW) is excited to announce the appointment of Sara Pomposo as Chief Advisor, Audience Growth & Strategic Syndication. With an exceptional track record of elevating brands and fostering audience growth, Pomposo is set to lead the charge in expanding NIVW's global reach, ensuring that veteran-owned businesses continue to receive the recognition and resources they deserve on an international scale.
National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW) has been honored with the prestigious Award by Acquisition International
National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW) has been honored with a prestigious award by Acquisition International. This recognition solidifies NIVW’s unmatched contributions to veteran entrepreneurship, intellectual property leadership, and its historic congressional recognition as the only trademarked veteran business observance in the United States.
For the first time in U.S. history, a single family has secured five Congressional Record entries, marking their contributions to American culture, economic empowerment, and veteran entrepreneurship. This level of institutional recognition is unprecedented, creating multi-generational leverage for brand expansion, policy influence, and global partnerships.
Update: Jim Freeman and Jeff Shuford Make History with Five Congressional Record Entries
Jim Freeman and Jeff Shuford Make History with 5 Congressional Record Entries, 5 Proclamations, and a Landmark Court Case
For the first time in U.S. history, a single family has secured five Congressional Record entries and five state proclamations, recognizing their lasting impact on music, business, and veteran advocacy. Jim Freeman, a doo-wop pioneer with The Five Satins, was honored for his role in shaping American music, while Jeff Shuford was recognized for his leadership in veteran entrepreneurship through National Invest In Veterans Week®.
Additionally, Iowa House Resolution 36 formally acknowledged Jim Freeman’s contributions to rock and roll, and a U.S. Court of Appeals citation recognized the cultural and legal significance of In the Still of the Nite, reinforcing the family's deep influence across industries.
📖 Read more about their historic achievements:
🔗 Invest In Veterans Magazine
🔗 Learn More: www.InvestInVeteransWeek.com
Angel Shuford Announces Sherman Williams Jr. as the Most Trademarked Veteran Beverage Entrepreneur in America
As President of National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), I am proud to recognize Sherman Williams Jr. as the most federally trademarked veteran beverage entrepreneur in history. With 10 federally registered trademarks, Williams has redefined what is possible for veterans in business ownership, brand expansion, and intellectual property strategy.With 10 active federal trademarks spanning functional hydration, wellness drinks, and pet beverages, Williams has transformed the veteran-led beverage industry, strategically creating a brand ecosystem that dominates multiple market categories.
His success is unparalleled, positioning him among the most influential and strategic brand developers in the veteran business sector.
HarvardX Strong: Leading National Invest In Veterans Week® into a New Era
Excerpt: Harvard Leadership and the Future of Veteran Entrepreneurship
As President & CFO of National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), I have the privilege of leading one of the most impactful veteran entrepreneurship initiatives in the world. My experience at HarvardX’s "Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market" has provided me with a structured framework to scale innovation, financial sustainability, and long-term economic impact.
Harvard Business School’s Professor Karim R. Lakhani and Professor Vish Krishnan emphasized that entrepreneurship isn’t just about ideas—it’s about execution, market fit, and sustainable growth. Their insights have directly influenced how I approach building a scalable, financially strong, and globally recognized NIVW.
With a multi-generational vision, I am ensuring that NIVW’s leadership, economic strategy, and national influence continue to expand. By applying HarvardX methodologies and leveraging institutional partnerships—such as our work with Live Oak Bank, New York Life Investments, and Congressional leaders—NIVW is evolving into a sustainable force for veteran business success.
Further Reading & Resources:
Live Oak Bank Spotlights Veteran Entrepreneurship Using NIVW Research
Read moreShuford-Freeman-Hawley Military Legacy: A Multi-Generational Chronicle
Invest In Veterans Magazine | Florida Veterans
National Invest in Veterans Week Featured in ARSA’s Prestigious Aviation Life Calendar
National Invest in Veterans Week (March 1–7) continues to earn its place as a cornerstone event in recognizing and empowering veteran entrepreneurs, as highlighted in the Aeronautical Repair Station Association’s (ARSA) 2024 Aviation Life Calendar.
Media Alert: The Most Trademarked Veteran Beverage Entrepreneur in America—Sherman Williams Jr. of Health2O
National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW) proudly announces that Sherman Williams Jr., Founder of Body Aqua (Health2O), is officially the most federally trademarked veteran beverage entrepreneur in America. With 10 federally registered trademarks, including the congressionally recognized National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), Williams has revolutionized functional hydration, wellness beverages, and veteran-led business innovation.
This unprecedented intellectual property portfolio positions Body Aqua as the most trademarked veteran-owned beverage brand in the nation, setting a new benchmark for veteran entrepreneurship, brand expansion, and industry leadership.
A Call for National Recognition: Proclaiming National Invest In Veterans Week®
On behalf of all military dependents, veteran families, and the millions of Americans who understand the sacrifices of service, I am honored to call for official proclamations and presidential recognition of National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW)—a movement dedicated to honoring, supporting, and uplifting veteran entrepreneurs.
Each year, from March 1st to 7th, NIVW serves as a platform to celebrate the economic and social contributions of veterans who have transitioned from military service to business ownership. Their determination, resilience, and leadership continue to strengthen our nation’s economy, providing jobs, innovation, and lasting impact. Yet, their achievements remain under-recognized on the national level.
In 2024, states like Montana issued proclamations declaring Invest In Veterans Week, acknowledging the vital role veteran-owned businesses play in communities across America. Now, it is time to expand this recognition nationwide. A Presidential Proclamation would not only solidify this observance but would also ensure that veteran entrepreneurship receives the federal acknowledgment it deserves—highlighting their service not just on the battlefield, but in the economy.
🫡 Meet the Team
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LTC Rickey L. Pope USA, Ret.
CO-FOUNDER | Retired Army Veteran, Retired Firefighter
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Jim Freeman of The Five Satins
GRAMMY Hall of Famer | Brand Ambassador
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Pastor Ron Henson
Social Impact Advisor | Navy Veteran
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Jeff Shuford
CO-FOUNDER | Iraq War Veteran & Military Spouse
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Drayton Florence
CO-FOUNDER | NFL Veteran & Military Brat
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Erik M. Pelton & Associates, PLLC
Trademark Attorney | Veteran IP Advocate
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Angel Shuford, REALTOR®, MRP
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | Army Veteran
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CPT Sherman WIlliams, USA, Ret.
Advisor | Retired Army Veteran
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Brandon Sugar
Legacy UX/UI Designer | Army Veteran
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Mike Bicek
Creative Director | Army Veteran
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Private Jewel
Co-Founders Pup | Biewer Terrier
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Lonnell McCall I
Sr. Spokesperson | Retired Navy Veteran
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Celeste Everett
Legacy IT Consultant | Army Veteran
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Lonnell McCall II
Jr. Spokesperson | Military Brat
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Christopher B. Mueller
Lead Video Spokesperson | Veteran Advocate
