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CHAMBER CONNECTIONS
FMBCC's E-Newsletter |
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| Greetings! |
 | | Fresno African-American woman (c.1885) |
Happy Black History Month!
During the month of February, we as a country, take time to recognize the significant contributions of African-Americans to the United State's story of triumph.
In a proclamation by President Obama, his states:
"We recognize the extraordinary achievement of African Americans an their essential role in shaping the story of America. In honor of their courage and contributions, let us resolve to carry forward together the promise of America for our children."
Further in the proclamation, 2011 has been themed, "The History of Black Economic Empowerment," to honor African Americans who overcame injustice and inequality to achieve financial independence and the security of self empowerment that comes with it.
Locally, there are a number of activities that will celebrate the creativity, determination and character of Black Fresnans whose legacies are stamped on the fabric of our community. Click here or go to www.fmbcc.com to see a listing of local Black History Month events.
Join the Chamber as we "remember our roots" by marking our 10-year anniversary. Follow us on Facebook for post about the founding directors and the contributions of local African-American business & civic leaders.
10 Years & Forward,
J. Tate Hill II, President
Fresno Metro Black Chamber
Fresno Metro Black Chamber Foundation
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Are you taking full advantage of your Chamber membership?
SAVE THE DATE
Chamber Member Mixer & Orientation
Thursday, March 23
5:30 PM
Chamber Office
2331 Fresno Street * Gottschalks Room
Fresno, CA 93721
(corner of Fresno & N St., next to the Veterans Auditorium. Free lot parking available )
Share why you are the best at what you do
Learn how the Chamber can help me you even better
Find out your expertise can help the Chamber
Call 559-441-7929 or email, membership@fmbcc.com to RSVP your attendance
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| New & Returning Members | West Care *
Central Valley Business Incubator
Sierra Vista Mall
MBS Accountancy
Larry Hodges
Fresno Workforce Connection*
Fresno Convention & Visitors Bureau* Elm Street Grill Kirkus & Garcia Steam Cleaning* Hilton Garden Inn- Clovis Watts Family Grill
* Renewing Members |
Working for You
| Here's how the Fresno Metro Black Chamber is working for you.
November 2010
Governor's Small Business Conference (Fresno, CA)
Meeting with Council member-Elect Oliver Baines
December 2010
Met with City Manager, Mark Scott about privatization of commercial waste and increasing contracting opportunities
Met with Fresno EOC's new executive director, Brian Angus about increasing minority contracting opportunities with EOC and access to their Fresno Community Development Financial Institution
Secured vendor opportunities for member businesses within the 2011 Fresno Martin L. King Celebration
January 2011
Comcast News Makers program
Advocated for local, minority contracting opportunities within CA High Speed Rail project at the State Capitol (Sacramento, CA):
- Office of Assemblymember Linda Halderman
- Office of Senator Michael Rubio
- Office of Senator Curren Price, Chair of CA Legislative Black Caucus
California Black Chamber's Legislative Reception (Sacramento, CA)
Worlds Apart, Futures Together Workshop in West Fresno
Met with Assemblymember Henry T . Perea about state procurrment
Board of Directors submitted a letter to City Council & Mayor advocating for greater outreach to small, minority firms for contracting opportunities
On-going
Participation in the Mayor's Community Advisory Panel
Fresno Black Men & Boys Coalition
Regular guest on Valley Black Talk Radio
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Remember our Roots Reception
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Join us in celebrating our 10 year Chamber anniversary
as we recognize the founding board:
Ken Blackwood
Ed Harris
Darrell Hunter
Reyonold Johnson
Buddy Jones
Ali& Earlena Morris
Ruby Overstreet
Patricia Ratcliff
Bradley Whisenhunt
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|  The Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce has a limited number of Executive & Platinum
Save Mart Centerseats available for our members. Contacts us Today to get your FREE tickets & seminar workshop (over $100 value).
For more information about the seminar, parking and Chamber FREE tickets
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Learn to Lead with Dr. Watts
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LEADERSHIP ADVANTAGE SEMINARS (L.A.S.)
The purpose of Leadership Advantage Seminars is to provide current and emerging leaders with
pertinent information that empowers them to influence, unite and direct people to address critical challenges within the organizations and communities they serve.
Seminar #1
People Are Never The Problem;
People Have Problems -Refuse to Play the Blame Game!"
Invest in the Chamber:
Join FMBCC at the LAS and a portion of your ticket will come back to the Chamber.
Call for the seminar & Chamber's special tickets prices, 559-441-7929.
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| Your Chamber...Your Investment |
Why does the Chamber matter?
The Chamber is a facilitator.The Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce is the only organization in central California whose mission is to build the capacity of African-American businesses and to link businesses to the area's $670 million of annual Black buying power.
Its about more than passing our cards-- We Network. The Chamber provides access to key businesses and decision makers that you need to connect to build your business, organization or agency.
This is your Chamber. The Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce is open to your ideas about about how we can make our services, events, and activities have a greater impact. Your membership is welcomed.
What do I get for my membership?- Plugged into Fresno's African-American business community and its strategic partners- Networking events and opportunities to promote your business- Numerous discounts with local and national businesses- An advocate for your business- Discounts to Chamber events, workshops and trainingsIs the Chamber worth my investment?Yes-- Membership starts at just $50! For the same price as a good set of business cards, you can tap into the Chamber's resources and relationships. If you looking for more visibility in Fresno's African-American and business community, we offer additional levels of investment.Join the Chamber today. If you would like more information about how we can tailor a membership package to meet your needs, call us at 559-441-7929.
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| SBA Guaranteed Loan Workshop for Small Businesses | |
free workshop, you will learn about specifics of SBA guaranteed loan programs from small loans for the home-based businesses to multi-million dollar real estate and manufacturing transactions. If you want to apply for an SBA guaranteed loan or have ever considered applying for one, this workshop is a must and will be presented by an experienced SBA Loan Officer and a local SBA lender. The workshop will provide you with the tools and information that you will need for a successful loan application.
Location: U. S. Small Business Administration
801 R Street, Suite 201
Fresno, California 93721
Date: Thursday, February 17, 2011
Cost: Free
Time: Registration 8:45 am to 9:00 am
Workshop 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Reservations are required as seating is limited. To make a reservation, contact William Hori at (559) 487-5791 or at william.hori@sba.gov.
The Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010 is good news for America's small businesses. The Act provides several tools to make small businesses more competitive. For additional Recovery Act information including information on SBA products and services please contact the Fresno District Office at (559) 487-5791 or visit us at www.sba.gov.
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Request for Expressions of Interest- CA High Speed Rail (Phase 1: Central Valley)
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The California High-Speed Rail Authority (the "AUTHORITY") is requesting Expressions of Interest ("EOIs") from entities ("Respondents") that may be interested in participating in the following elements of the California High-Speed Train Project (the "Project"): a) The design and construction of the "Initial Construction Section" (ICS) [FY 10 SDP/ARRA Funded Section] generally located in Madera, Fresno, Kings, Kern and Tulare Counties, California as described in Section [2.1] (the "FY 10 SDP/ARRA Project"); and/or (b) The design, construction, financing, operation and/or maintenance of the remaining sections in the statutorily defined Phase 1 of the Project, as described in Section [2.2.] (the "Phase 1 Program"), or any part thereof, with the aim to determine, and place in operation at the earliest possible time, an Initial Operable Section ("IOS") which would not require an operating subsidy by the Authority. This is not a formal solicitation . The purpose of this Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) is to assist the Authority in refining its approach to potential procurement processes for elements of the Project. Submissions will not be evaluated. For more information about the Request and the California High Speed rail Authority, CLICK HERE.
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| Are You Getting Your Piece of the Supplier Diversity Pie? |  Under GO 156, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) required all investor-owned electric, gas, water and telecommunication utility companies to develop and implement programs to increase the utilization of woman and minority owned businesses. Procurement goals are 5% for women and 15% for minorities.Certification of eligible suppliers was designed to encourage, recruit, and utilize woman and minority owned businesses by participating utilities.
Certification is managed through a central Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse is a Commission-supervised entity whose primary purpose is to audit and verify the status of woman and minority owned businesses, and to establish and maintain a database of woman, minority, and service disabled veteran owned businesses that is accessible to the CPUC and to participating utilities. The Clearinghouse will be making a presentation at this workshop and will be helping participants submit all documents and information required for evaluation.Think you are ready to get certified to do business with the likes of PG&E, AT&T, and Verizon? Click here for the information.
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