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Greetings,
This month I wanted to take a moment to highlight women that are on the move and that are being changemakers in their community. On March 8th we celebrated International Women's Day and paid tribute to 22 amazing ladies. These ladies ranged from top level executives to trail blazing entrepreneurs. I also had the pleasure of participating in a webinar hosted by the American Heat Association entitled "Hard Hats with Heart: Women in Construction" where I shared stories and experiences with panelist, Kit Crighton-Smith of Fed Ex and Meghan Medford of Medford Roofing.
"Never Be Limited By Other People's Limited Imagination."- Dr. Mae Jemison
Congratulations to Cynthia Daniels & Co. for another successful year with the Memphis Black Restaurant week. This year the event saw record breaking numbers of over 31,000 patrons spending more than half a million dollars with 21 black owned restaurants. OBDC continues to be the title sponsor and looks forward to many more successful years. Shifting gears just a bit, the Biden Administration recently signed the PaycheckProtection Extension Act into law, extending the program to May 31. Learn how to apply for a first or second round of PPP funding here. My team and I remain dedicated to helping your small business at every stage and look forward to seeing you at the Entrepreneurs Networks Center soon.
#WeMeanBusiness
Sincerely,
Director Joann Massey
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It's finally here. Check out our very first episode of The We Mean Business Podcast.
In our first episode Director Massey sits down with Entrepreneur Cynthia Daniels as she discusses her journey of going from a 9-5 to becoming a full-time entrepreneur. On the next episode we will be interviewing Joanna Crangle, Market President and Publisher of the Memphis Business Journal.
Tune in here and bookmark for future episodes!
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After a national search, the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) staff and board announced that Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director, Paul Young has been selected to serve as President and CEO for the organization.
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Ernest Strickland Named As New President and CEO of the Black Business Association of Memphis
Strickland joins the the Black Business Association of Memphis as the new President and CEO. In his new role, Strickland will oversee the 47-year-old organization that empowers entrepreneurship and improvement of business and growth opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses.
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Nominations for MBJ's Girls Who Mean Business has closed. 2021Awardees to be Announced Soon!
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The OBDC is honored to continue our sponsorship and involvement in The Memphis Business Journal's Girls Who Mean Business event. Each year The Memphis Business Journal recognizes female high school students who exemplify excellence in school involvement, both academically and in extracurricular endeavors, as well as in community service and other ways they go above and beyond on a daily basis. |
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Congratulations to OBDC's very own Guadalupe Reyes for being honored by La Prensa Latina as a Hispanic woman who stands out not only for the role that she plays, but also for her contribution to all the communities in the Mid-South.
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Here's to record breaking numbers in dining with the Memphis Black Restaurant Week!
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RESTAURANT RESILIENCE PROGRAM
A free four-week course designed to help restaurant owners and operators navigate through uncertain times and build for long-term success.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many industries, but none have experienced more immediate effects than the food and beverage industry. Restaurants and food service businesses have especially faced challenges ranging from restrictions, employee safety and health, supply chain disruption, and more. That is why we are excited to announce the launch of the Restaurant Resilience program in Memphis, produced in partnership with TSBDC Memphis and BrightBridge Capital.
The Restaurant Resilience program, powered by Proof, is a 4-week virtual course for owners and operators of restaurants and foodservice businesses with a focus on stabilization and growth. The course covers everything from navigating regulations, how to build and improve your financial foundation, marketing to your customers, human resources, and more.
Key Dates: Deadline: April 7- Launch: April 20
Click here to apply!
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Memphis COVID-19 Updates
Stay up to date with Memphis COVID-19 updates and current CDC recommendations here
Keep up with Mayor Strickland's daily COVID-19 updates here
Greater Memphis Business Resource Center
The Greater Memphis Chamber is committed to providing Business Guidance on COVID-19 for our business community.
Stay in the know with up-to-date information, tools and resources to help minimize the impact of COVID-19-related disruption.
Click here for more information
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River City Capital is offering a grant program to support Memphis small businesses that have been adversely affected by COVID-19, with a priority on Black-owned businesses and businesses located in low-to-moderate income communities of color.
- Accepting applications from Memphis small businesses (businesses with revenues less than $1 million) that have seen a reduction in revenue due to COVID-19
- Approved applicants will receive a $20,000 grant to support small business operations
- Technical assistance will be available for businesses needing support producing proper financial documents for the application
Click here to apply
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SBA to Increase Lending Limit for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.
Businesses that receive a loan subject to the current limits do not need to submit a request for an increase at this time. SBA will reach out directly via email and provide more details about how businesses can request an increase closer to the April 6 implementation date. Any new loan applications and any loans in process when the new loan limits are implemented will automatically be considered for loans covering 24 months of economic injury up to a maximum of $500,000.....read more here
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For our MWSBE Spotlight this month we want to recognize Lee Rankin, Founder and CEO of the Lee Rankin Group (LRG). LRG is a business growth team that acts as general counsel, business advisors and strategists for creative and innovative businesses.
Lee Rankin is a dynamic attorney who marries legal expertise with industry savvy and a social conscience. Armed with a desire to impact positive change, she uses her understanding of the nuances of governance and public affairs to advise on the approach that will help build connection with influencers and constituents.
To learn more about Lee Rankin and the Lee Rankin Group check out their website here.
Thank you Lee Rankin and the Lee Rankin Group for continuing your entrepreneurial efforts in the City of Memphis!!
#WeMeanBusiness
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- PROFESSIONAL RESOURCE SERVICES
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 OBDC
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 - 12:00PM- 1:00PM
Join Operation Hope's Credit and Money Management team of Darfeis Williams and Trudy Morrison to discuss several financial topics including how to improve your business/personal credit as well as the 8 week entrepreneurial training program and the 1 Million Black Business Initiative.
This webinar will focus on financial dignity and inclusion. Get equipped with financial tools and education to secure a better future.
Join us for an informative hour!
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 - 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Have you ever had a stellar day as a business owner where everything was flowing and things were moving up?
What caused those best days to happen? Chances are you were using a portion of your strengths to influence others to work with you.
Do you know what your true strengths are and more importantly do you know how to use them to create exponential success in your business?
Join StrengthsFinder Facilitator Jana Cardona as she shows you how to find and use your strengths for more of those best business days!
This webinar will be an hour you will remember for a long time. Join us!
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Thursday, April 29, 2021 - 5:30PM - 6:30PM
Este seminario web explicará por qué esto es importante, lo guiará a través de los pasos necesarios para llegar a un plan de marketing efectivo y cómo medir las actividades de marketing más efectivas.
This webinar will explain why this is important, walk you through the steps required to arrive at an effective marketing plan, and how to measure the most effective marketing activities
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
OBDC PARTNERS
TSBDC
Wednesday, April 7 - 9:00AM-11:00AM
This workshop focuses on choosing the communication channel for messages based on your target audience and where they receive messages. Learn whether newspapers, radio, websites, social media, etc. are best to reach your audience.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Thursday, April 29 - 9:00AM - 11:00AM
This workshop focuses on social media platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube and how to select the best platform for your target audience.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
MAMCA
Tuesday, April 6 - 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Learn the most popular software for your business' accounting needs, ensuring that you know the impact and potential of every dollar you earn. You'll learn how to use the software to track the status of your bills, record payments, and create recurring payments. Learn how to execute vendor and bill payments. How to create print-ready checks, and much more!
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Thursday, April 15 - 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Nickson General LLC will demonstrate how to effectively control the cost on a current project. This is a different process than estimating. If you are losing bids and money on projects. This class is for YOU!
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Wednesday, April 21 - 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Estimating is essential in the world of construction.
Award winners in construction, Campbell and Ford Construction will instruct an estimating workshop. This workshop will teach the basic knowledge of estimating. You must have some knowledge of blueprint reading. Please have the following:
Calculator
Note Pad
Architectural Ruler
The cost of $20.00 is to cover the blueprints.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
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Joann Massey, Director
Timothy Houston, Administrative Assistant (ENC)
Carol Kelley, Administrative Assistant (City Hall)
Compliance
Andrew DeShazo, Esq., Compliance Manager
Sukita Johnson, Esq, Contract Compliance Analyst
Annette Crump, Administrative Assistant (Compliance)
Valesia Johnson, Intern
Certification
Standley Brady, Esq., Certification Manager
Tabitha Veazey, Certification Analyst
Business Services
Ashley Robinson, Operations Mrg. & Outreach & Engagement
Taylor Tagg, Business Services Coordinator Sr.
Guadalupe Reyes, Business Services Coordinator
Dante Robichaux, Creative Strategist
DJ Baker, Intern
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
-Aristotle
Contact our office for assistance at bdcinfo@memphistn.gov or 901-636-9300
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