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Nearly eight years after opening the Thomas Accounting and Income Tax Service, LLC firm, Daryl Thomas was honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration this week.

Thomas was named Small business person of the year for the state of Alabama by the SBA. He held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the firm in November, 2015.

“It’s an honor to receive the award,” Thomas said. “This is the first time.”

Thomas said he’s proud of not letting his cerebral palsy limit him.

“It’s a blessing from God and it shows that you can accomplish anything regardless of your condition,” Thomas said.

Family has played a big role in Thomas’ accounting firm.

Thomas’ mother, Ozetta Thomas, works with him at the firm.

A member of Alpha Pho Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Thomas  is well-known and well-liked in the community.

Thomas and his wife, Sherri, have been married for 22 years. They have a daughter, Nakiria.

SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said the winners will be recognized on April 30 and May 1 during the National Small Business Week awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

At the event, one of the state/territory winners will be announced as the 2023 National Small Business Person of the Year.

“Our 2023 State Small Business Persons of the Year have given their all to achieve their American dream — to own and build a strong, resilient business; create jobs; increase competition and innovation and power America’s historic economic recovery,” Guzman said in a statement. “These incredible entrepreneurs show the vibrancy and grit of our nation’s small businesses. From Main Street to manufacturing hubs and tech centers, they are powering our economy. We hope their stories inspire and motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs.”