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| SJV Black Chamber of Commerce E-Newsletter (Special Update) |
May 2009 |
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 Greetings!
Summer Youth Employment is Back!
Thanks to President Obama and the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, a much needed summer youth employment program is back this year.
As a business partners on FUSD's Commission on Workforce Preparation and the Fresno Empowerment Zone, I ask you to consider becoming a Summer Youth Employment worksite and provide a challenging work assignment and guidance to a quality youth - all at no cost to your business.
Program Highlights:
- All payroll and workers comp expenses are paid by the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provider - not your business
- The program is targeting 3,000 low income youth participants, between the ages of 14 and 24, from throughout Fresno County
- Youth will work for six weeks of work experience, at the minimum wage of $8.00 per hour, for 20 to 40 hours per week
- Before placement on your worksite, each youth must successfully complete a Work Readiness Workshop designed to teach soft skills, effective work habits and worksite behaviors such as attendance, punctuality, appearance, communication and team work skills
Help develop a responsible young adult and sign up today! An interactive Worksite Request Form for you to complete and return is available at Workforce Connections. You can also contact Amy Arambula, the Stimulus Coordinator of the Fresno County Workforce Investment Board at 559-824-7829 or aarambula@workforce-connection.com
Tate Hill II
President/CEO
SJVBCC
twitter: tatehill
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Black Business Community Survey
The San Joaquin Valley Black Chamber of Commerce wants your honest feedback to better serve YOU-- the members, stakeholders, and the black business community.
Click here to take this short survey (10-15 minutes)*
This survey is a critical part of the SJVBCC Relaunch Action Plan. Your answers will guide the Chamber's future course of action and help develop a 18-month Strategic Plan. Please complete this survey by next Wednesday, May 20.
Thank You in advance for your participation!
* Find out how you could win a FREE ticket to the State of the City Address by taking the survey |
2nd Annual "Restrain the Violence" Workshop
"Hold out your hand, and ball it into a fist...this kind of power can only go so far. Now open up your hand...this kind of power is unlimited!" said Candice Hill, President/Senior Legal Document Assistant of Hill's Document Assistant (HDA) in an opening statement to a capacity audience of the 2nd Annual "Restrain The Violence" Workshop. This free event hosted by HDA's and San Joaquin Valley Black Chamber of Commerce (SJVBCC), empowered a diverse audience to restrain domestic violence by participating in six available sessions: Domestic Violence Panel Discussion, Self-Defense Training, Pampering, Youth Counseling, Legal Document Assistance, and the Self-Image Class.
The panelist of professionals from the Fresno Superior Court House, shelters, law-enforcement, drug and alcohol counselors, and the faith community were passionate and dynamic advocates against domestic violence. The panel facilitator,Tate Hill President/CEO of the SJVBCC made sure that all 15 panel topics were addressed, which were videotaped by two youth groups.
The Self-Defense Training Class was a hit, literally. Women of all ages--teens and senior citizens, received some direct training from Moores Shou Shu Karate of Clovis, CA on where and how to attack your abuser to save your life. Going beyond instructor-led demonstrations, attendees had the opportunity to practice routines. Though we hope they'll never have to use their training, they were excited to gain the knowledge on how to defend themselves if ever needed.
Barbara Powery, an independent Mary Kay Consultant had to turn some of our guest away because that room was filled to its capacity for the pampering session. "Helping today brings me to a full circle" says Ms. Powery. Barbara at one time needed the services of HDA and now she is in a position to give back. Domestic violence has such a strong impact on the victims self-image and the Pampering and Self-Image Class was right on time. "Domestic violence will be addressed one way or the other, either at a workshop or in a prison, at a place of worship or through our pay stubs..." said Ms. Hill during the lunch that was sponsored by Chili's, Smoke House Bar & Grill and Marie Callendars.
This is just a small taste of the 2nd Annual "Restrain The Violence" Workshop. Call 559.579.5916 to obtain a copy of the event on DVD or visit at http://www.hdaliftinghearts.com/
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Closing the Minority Business Gap
Can minority businesses be equal to white-owned businesses?
Ronisha Smith, Student
According to the U.S Census Bureau, Black owned businesses are the fastest growing segment of new businesses increasing by 60% since 1997. But due to the economy, unemployed rate increased to 8.5% in March leaving plenty of black and white-owned companies without jobs.
Some say that Black-owned businesses differ from White-owned businesses because black-owned business fall substantially behind white-owned businesses in sales, profit, size, and family business history. There are several gaps between black and white-owned businesses such as racial discrimination, financial issues, and background. The future goal for the business community should be to improve all aspects for minority businesses.
Minority businesses who are able to close the gap will need positive company relationships, an understanding of how to apply their knowledge, and how to use a range of strategies to reach a diversity of clients. According to Insight, a national research consulting and legal organization dedicated to building economic health and opportunity in vulnerable communities (The Center for Community Economic Development), here are some ways businesses and the community can close the minority gap.
Business Owners:
- Build a good management team & dependable workers
- Focus on embracing a new business plan or agenda to create transformative growth
- Maintain good credit so the company can contain financing
Business Community:
- Promote education and knowledge to all minority families and business owners
- Include banking programs through agencies such as the U.S Department of Commerce (MBDA, MBDC, BRC, SBIC, HMDA)
- Have special programs and incentives that encourage banks to increase loans to minorities and reduce racial discrimination in lending to minorities
- Encourage minority contracting with the government and corporations
- Incorporate fair lending goals with leading banks
-Reform credit scoring to make your credit scoring transparent
Business success in minority communities must be re-defined to include cultural values including anchoring in communities of color, providing community jobs and contributing community economics stability. These solutions can helpto close the minority gap and a create more equity within the business community.
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Networking
Tony Yang
Finance High School Student
Why is it important to build a network? It is important because it is one of the major concepts is advertising. Networking is another resource that people use to get to know different people. It's also important because knowing different people will help build relationships and communicate not just with one but many.
Network isn't just for business owners. It can be valueable to students & job seekers as they learn about career choices. Starting early on networking takes advantage of all of the people out there who are willing to assist one in the career planning process. Over a period of time, networking is the most effective strategy in understanding the career in which you want to work in.
Where is a good place to do networking? Networking can be found in most of the communities. Your local chamber of commerce is one and great resource. The SJVBCC's Power Networking events happens on the 4th Wednesday of the month.
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| 5 Easy Steps to Starting Your Own Business
Jennifer Xiong, finance student
CART High School
Do you think you might lose your job? Are you not getting enough hours? Do you think that its time for you to start your own business? Well according to SBA and WikiHow these are 5 easy steps to starting your own business.
Step 1: Ideas and Names
This step is the easiest. Find new products or inventions and a name for your product and the name have to be a nonexistence and also the service or product.
Step 2: Business Plan
A business plan is a step-by-step guide that you use to plan your success and to keep you on track.
Step 3: Financing
How are you going to start up your business? You have to find way to raise or put money into your business. You have to think about the salary you need to maintain your business.
Step 4: Marketing
The marketing can be expensive, so it better off it you try to find something that won't cost a lot but could get your name or your business out into public.
Step 5: Maintaining your business
Well try to maintain your business and try to keep it small for couple years until you can get enough money to expand it. But remember to not use a lot of money on things that won't add to your bottom line.
These are the 5 easy steps to help as you think about starting a business. If you need more information visit WikiHow or SBA.
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 How the Economy Will Affect Today's Small Business
High School Finance Student
Today's small business is much more complicated than it was 40 years ago. Small business today are facing more crisis. Today's 27.2 million small businesses are seeing higher fuel cost, higher health costs and slower growth. In 2007, there were 560,300 business closures and 28,322 bankruptcies (Source: U.S Small Business Administration).
Business & Taxes
There is an uncertainty about whether tax cuts, which is set to expire in 2010, will hurt the small business. If the tax cuts go away, small business will have less money to hire and invest in their business. This is one of the major issues that small business is going to deal with if possible (SBA).
According to the Christian Science Monitor:
"Tax changes and larger-than-usual taxpayer refunds are providing a welcome burst of money to the struggling US economy as Wednesday's tax-filing deadline arrives. The impact of this "tax stimulus" won't by itself push consumers back into shopping malls. One key reason: In a tough economy, consumers are more apt to use extra cash to pay down old debts than to make new purchases. Many businesses that are having trouble with losses, this year they'll have new opportunities to get back tax money they paid to the IRS."
"Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires."
How can we save the small businesses in the global economic ecosystem? A similar thought of saving the small business is like Smokey's saying, "only you can prevent forest fires." The trees are here to help us breath fresher air and process carbon dioxide. But when their burning, they cannot help themselves so we need to help them. This has a similar meaning for saving small businesses. Small businesses are like trees-- they help stabilize our economy and they too need help from us to prevent things from getting worse.
One solution: SBA loans
Everywhere one turns, one see stocks crashing down and they may think that it is all over. Many people gives up because of the economic downfall, but some trying to help small businesses keep going. There are many strategies that the government could use to help out a little. One of the strategies is SBA loans. They loan money to small business to help them start or grow their businesses.
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 Win a $60 ticket to the State of the City Address
Would you like to sit at the SJVBCC table during the State of the City Address and hear our own Mayor Swearengin? What if the ticket was FREE?
SJVBCC will draw the names of two (2) Black Business Community Survey takers next Wednesday- May 20 at 1 PM. To enter the drawing, all you have to do is take the short survey that will inform the Chamber on how to best serve you. Surveys must be completed by Wednesday, May 20 to win. Click here to take the survey.
If you don't win a ticket, we still welcome you to join us at the SJVBCC table on May 28. Contact Tate Hill about the available 7 special discounted seats for currrent Chamber members. | |
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New & Renewed Members
Family Options
City of Fresno- Purchasing
R. Cadriel
Thank You for Your Support! |
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Are you a Member? 
WestCare representative receieves membership plaque
Join the leading voice for Fresno's African-American business & economic development community.
From networking, workshops, business technical assistance and access to service region wide, SJVBCC is there for you.
If you would like to meet with the President/CEO about how the Chamber can help you as a member, contact us @ 559.441-7929 or by email
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Strategic Partners
Greater Fresno Chamber of Commerce
Central CA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Fresno Economic Development Corp.
Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development
BlackXChange
Valley Black Talk Radio
(KFCF-88.1 FM) | |
| Upcoming Events |
Power Networking
May 27, 2009
5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Sam's Club
7663 Blackstone Ave
Fresno, California 93711
FREE
State of the City Address with Mayor A. Swearengin
May 28, 2009
11:30 AM
Fresno Convention Center- New Exhibit Hall
Fresno, CA 93721
Ticket $60; $50 for SJVBCC Members
Contact the Chamber for more information
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Support the California Advocate Newspaper with your subscription |
In order to survive in these tough economic times, the California Advocate Newspaper needs the entire community's help in order to continue printing and being the only newspaper in the Valley's Black community.
As of JULY 1st 2009, the California Advocate must change from free distribution to paid subscriptions only and is asking everyone to pitch in and pay $40.00 for an annual subscription (that's less than a dollar an issue!).
For 41 years, the California Advocate has advised us on how to vote, stood up for our leaders, printed news about our families, and brought us national celebrities through the Drum Major for Justice Banquet. The Advocate has informed and educated our people and we need to support this institution.
Join the Chamber and get order your subscription online at www.caladvocate.com
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| Contact Information |
President/CEO
Tate Hill
559.441.7929
thechamber@sjvbcc.org
Join the Chamber on Facebook
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| $10 |
Receieve a $10 Gift Card when you join or renew your Sam's Club membership. Contact the Chamber to learn more or join us on May  27 at 5:30 PM for the Power Networking mixer hosted by Sam's Club. |
| Valid only for SJVBCC members. Offer Expires: June, 16, 2009 | |
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