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CHAMBER CONNECTIONS
FMBCC's E-Newsletter |
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| Greetings! |
Greetings & Happy New Year!
We made it through 2011 and what a year it was! 2011 was full of twists & turns, successes & failures that hopefully made us better organizations, smarter professionals and wiser entrepreneurs. This was definitely the case for the Fresno Metro Black Chamber and the Chamber Foundation. We learned how to better serve our members, added to our leadership, and honed in on our skills for supporting your success.
In 2011, we listened and learned... a lot. You told us that you were looking for ways to promote your business, network with potential clients, access information & resource that would build your know how and you wanted to do it online. This past Fall, we launched the new chamber website (www.fmbcc.com) with an interactive membership directory, user-controlled profiles, an open community calendar, and website advertising opportunities.
We learned that of the 26,000 plus minority-owned businesses in Fresno County, less than 100 are disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) certified. We found out that many minority-owned firms are not certified in any capacity (SBE/DBE/MBE/WBE/8a) due to the challenge of connecting to local application support or because to a lack of awareness of their benefits. We developed a strategic alliance with the Central Valley Business Incubator & Small Business Development Center to plug in our members to their resources including certification support.
Last year, we teamed up with the City of Fresno and Workforce Connection in response to employers and job seekers looking for a venue to connect for fall and seasonal hiring. The Back to School, Back to Work Job Fair connected over 2000 job seekers to 40 plus employers for some 500 job opportunities.
In 2012, we will continue our focus on building capacity, facilitating connections and supporting commerce through business & supplier diversity. We look forward the first Central Valley Business Diversity Expo on March 28, 2012 that will bring a trade fair, workshops, business match making, and opportunities to connect & showcase your business.
We promise to be even more engaged, proactive, and deliberate in advocating for our members, supporting your success and looking for ways to better serve you.
Put excuses on shelves in 2012,
J. Tate Hill II, President
Fresno Metro Black Chamber
Fresno Metro Black Chamber Foundation
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SAVE THE DATE
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March 28, 2012
New Exhibit Hall @ Fresno Convention CenterDowntown Fresno
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Is the Central Valley Business Diverse ?
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In partnership with the Central California Hispanic Chamber, Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber, the NAACP-Fresno Branch, and The Greenlining Institute, the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce is requesting your participation in the 2011 Central Valley Business Diversity Survey.
The purpose of the survey is to:
- Collect local and regional data on business diversity activities in the areas of employment, management, minority contracting and philanthropy.
- Develop benchmarks to measure future progress
- Understand where the successes and gaps are along with regional best practices in business diversity efforts.
Why are we concerned about regional business diversity?
- In the greater Fresno region, people of co lor-African, Asian, Latino, and Native-Americans-constitute more than 60% of the population.
- The Central Valley Latino (#12) & Asian (#21) consumer markets are some of the largest in the country.
- According to Selig Center for Economic Growth, as of 2010, the purchasing power of minorities was an estimated $3.2 trillion while women controlled $4.3 trillion of spending. In the Fresno region, ethnic minorities spend an estimated $15 billion each year.
- In addition, while ethnic minorities' economic strength is growing, it is still proportionally unbalanced. Minorities represent 42% of Fresno's businesses but only 7% of its' $33.5 billion business sector.
The relevance of business diversity efforts comes through their local impact. The survey will provide the partners and general public regional diversity data in which we can use to gauge our progress.
What happens with the survey results?
The data will be collected and processed and we will generate a report on local diversity outcomes. The results will be shared with the survey partners as a tool in their small, minority business work to foster greater economic parity.
We are requesting you to complete and return a copy of the survey, preferably online (www.fmbcc.com), by Tuesday, January 17, 2012. Also, you can download a hard copy of the survey.
The top companies and organizations for diversity will be recognized at the 2012 Central Valley Business Diversity Expo, March 28, 2012 in Fresno, CA.
If you have any questions, feel free to call Tate Hill at the Fresno Metro Black Chamber at 559-441-7929 or president@fmbcc.com .
On behalf of the partners, thank in advance for your participation.
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| Where are Fresno area African-Americans? | 
Where are Fresno area African-Americans? A look at the changing demographics Historically, southwest Fresno (aka The West side, Gold Westside, 93706) has been the landing pad for many of the city's ethnicity communities including African-Americans. Due to segregation and Jim Crow housing covenants that limited where Black could live, many lived, shopped, worshiped and went to school in the West Fresno community just south of downtown. Today, the population is gradually shifting to central west and southeast Fresno. While W est Fresno (93706) holds the largest concentration of Black (20.3%) and is the home of a large number of Black-led churches and social clubs, other areas are rapidly becoming new meccas for Black families. Zip code 93722 dubbed the 'New Westside' that stretches from Olive to Shaw west of Freeway 99, accounts for 17% of city's Black population and is one of the fastest growing with a 31% increase since 2000. One out of seven (7) African-Americans live north of Shaw and you are 1.7 times more likely to find one living above Herndon (93720) than in downtown (93721). There are slightly more Black people in the Manchester area (93726) than in all of Madera county and just as many in the Slater Elementary/Quiley Park area (93705) as in Clovis. African-American are moving from the central city & older neighborhoods (93701, 93702, 93704, 93706, 93721) into suburban and new development areas in southeast, northeast and new west areas.  Q: So what does this mean? A: African-Americans are moving into all part of the city. Business. Zip-code targeting will become a less effective niche marketing tool whereas interest-related groups--virtual or real life (social media such as Facebook fan pages, social clubs, professional associations, etc.) will produce better results. This also means there are opportunities to leverage the African-American buying power in various segments of the city. Politics. While t he Black vote was pegged to certain neighborhoods, it means political groups and candidates will need to appeal to African-Americans not only in West Fresno with throughout the entire city. African-Americans can have a large impact in elections of low voter turn city council districts like District 1 and 5 if motivated to vote. Article by Urban Strategic Enterprises, a Fresno-based public & community relations firms specializing in urban and ethnic markets.
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New & Returning Members |
CSU Fresno*
Fresno Regional Workforce Investment Board*
Tri-Counties Bank*
Vision One Communication
Agape Wealth
Kirkus Garcia Steaming Cleaning*
Enterprise RAC*
Dick Keyes EVS Home Staging Rick Keyes Dr. Robert Watts * Renewing Members |
Working for You
| Here's how the Fresno Metro Black Chamber is working for YOU.
December 2011 Held meetings to form the Government Affairs Committee
Hosted the 'Holiday to the Hilt' Charity Mixer supporting the Mary Ella Brown CenterCo-hosted Financial Literacy Meeting with Central CA Hispanic Chamber
Advocated for High Speed Rail and small business opportunities
Participated in two press conferences (Fresno & Merced) supporting California HSr & Centrl Valley job & business opportunities
Met with Chrisy Ryan, Deputy Director/Small Business Liaison for the CA HSR Authority Successfully advocated for a HSR & African-American business staekholders meeting with Senator Price (set for January 5, 2012 in Sacramento)
November 2011
Graduated from the second cohort of Strategic Growth for Entrepreneurs at San Diego State University
Advocated for Central Valley minority business opportunities at the Wells Fargo Diversity Meeting (San Francisco)
Encourage small business incentives & cultural diversity at the Clovis City Council Business Roundtable Attended the Hispanic Business Student Association's Corporate NightAttended member requested company meetings & events
Led the Central Valley DBE Outreach Fair with 50 prime, small, and DBE firms.
On-going Advocating for greater supplier diversity contracting with corporate members Participation in the Mayor's Community Advisory Panel Regular guest on Valley Black Talk Radio |
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Thank You!
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On behalf of the Fresno Metro Black Chamber Foundation
Thank You to the following 2011 Donors:
Fresno EOC Fresno Housing Authority AT&T Comcast WalMart Wells Fargo Macy's California Black Chamber Foundation Cedar Avenue Recycling & Transfer Station Fresno First 5 Council member Oliver Baines Mayor Ashley Swearengin, ITT-Tech, Fresno County & City Republican Women Federated , Allied Waste/ Republic, Crown Services, Mid Valley Waste, RHA Inc., Terance Frazier, Jim Aldredge Foundation, Christian Business Men Conference, SEIU, Bob Waterson, Flatiron, Teichert Construction, Bank of America, Charles Francis, Blong Xiong, IBEW, Tri-Counties Bank, Guy Johnson, Julia Dudley-Najieb, Robert Watts, Carol Mills, Kashan Jones, Vocational Plus, Gloria Ponce Rodriguez, Sal Quintero, Rama Kant Dawar |
| Fresno Martin L King Awards Reception |  On Friday, January 13, 2012 the Fresno Metro Black Chamber Foundation in partnership with the Fresno Martin L King Unity Committee will recognize the recipients of the 2012 Martin L King Service Awards at a reception at Fresno City Hall. 2012 Honorees:
Outstanding Youth Award
Bridget Midgett & Kyvon Brown
Outstanding Organization Award
Bringing Back Broken Neighborhoods Back to Life
Outstanding Business Award
Castech Pest Service (Dave Casner)
Outstanding Service Woman Award
Susan Bechara (House of Hope)
Outstanding Service Man Award
Arthur Dyson
2012 MLK Awards Reception Friday, January 13, 2012 6:00 PM (Program - 6:30PM) Fresno City Hall, 2nd Floor 2600 Fresno Street, Downtown Fresno, CA No cost to attend For more information, go to www.fresnomlk.com
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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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Central Valley Business Diversity Report
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Are you one of Central California's top companies for diversity? - employment
- management team or management training
- supplier diversity & minority contracting
- community involvement
then look for the Central Valley Business Diversity Survey - early 2012 |
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