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February 2012 - BLACK HISTORY MONTH
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CHAMBER CONNECTIONS
FMBCC's E-Newsletter |
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| Greetings! |
Greetings & Happy New Year!
Black History Month as we know it today started as a week founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Woodson the son of slaves, who taught himself how to write and later earned a PhD from Harvard, started the recognition as Negro History Week in 1926. He believed it to be important for African-Americans to celebrate their achievements as it would set as a reminder to their place in history and their contribution to modern civilization. This was in an America where Blacks paid property taxes but had no say in in the quality of public schools or the condition of the roads that had to drive on, where Black customers went in the back door but paid front door prices, and in a society that limited their access to capital and all other ingredients for economic vitality.
It's amazing 60-70 years ago, some African-Americans who migrated from the South and Midwest to the Central Valley were living in tents but today developers like Terance Frazier and the HAW56 are building & managing houses and multi-family complexes. Or that there were only a few Blacks students at Fresno City College and today State Center Community College District has a chancellor (Dr. Deborah Blue), nearly a half dozen deans & administrators, and over 2000 students who all are African-American.
That history shows truly how far we have come but how far we must still go when Fresno area African-American purchasing power exceeds $700M but Black business revenue are below $200M or that they account for less than 1% of regional municipal and Fortune 500 contracted dollars. This is why the Fresno Metro Black Chamber continually strives to educate and engage the Black business community, Fortune 500 companies and top employers along with government to create parity within Fresno's regional economy.
"Putting excuses on shelves in 2012", the Chamber is facilitating technical assistance to small & minority firms that prepares them to enter the corporate supply chain or for government contracting through certification, financial readiness, and learning how to position their business for success. At the same time, we are challenging the private and public sectors to proactively engage Black & minority firms through business match making, mentor-protégé programs, and business networking.
Using yesterday's learned lessons learned, we must chart a new future in for our community. The Chamber seeks to do that not in February but every day of the year.
J. Tate Hill II, President
Fresno Metro Black Chamber
Fresno Metro Black Chamber Foundation
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2012 Kick off with advocating for small & minority businesses
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In 2012, the Chamber has wasted no time in connecting with elected officials and policy
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Lawrence Thomas, Board Director of Govt. Affairs addresses the Connect 2 Elect Reception attendees
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makers to express their need to prioritize
small & minority businesses within our economy.
CA High Speed Rail Project
CA State Senator Curren Price, Chair of the Select Committee on Procurement held a hearing in Sacramento regarding the CA High Speed Rail's (CAHSR) Small Business & DBE Outreach Plan. Board Director of Government Affair, Lawrence and President Tate Hill were present at the meeting. Hill provided written and oral comments to ways to improve regional outreach, procurement & contracting accountability, and access for small & minority firms.
Later that day, FMBCC co-facilitated a meeting with the CA Black Chamber and San Francisco Black Chamber and hosted by Senator Price with Black business stakeholders. Leaders from throughout the state discussed ways to improve access to the Project and ultimately contracts for minority firms.
FMBCC assisted in developing language for an unified letter from Black chambers and a number of other organizations itemizing areas of concern and a set of recommendations that were delivered to the CAHSR Authority.
Some of the main concerns & recommendations:
- Implement DBE goals vs. good faith effort policy
- Increase ethnic diversity within CAHSR staff
- Develop external accountability and compliance
- Unbundle contracts to generate real opportunities for small & micro business participation
- Ensure regional culturally-competent outreach
- Support & encourage bond insurance programs for SBE/DBEs from prime contractors
Read the FMBCC Letter submitted to CAHSR for SBE/DBE Outreach Plan Comments
FMBCC Governme nt Affairs January sited the official launch of the Chamber's Government Affairs Committee that has the mission to 'influence government decision making to create a favorable business climate for our members and the African-American business community'. Member include: Lawrence Thomas, Chair Andy Andersen Bryan Allen Floyd Harris Tate Hill The Committee will lead out activities such as member government affairs training, coordinating meetings with elected & policy officials, voter forums, elected official reports. The Legislative Reception was the Committee's first event. Engaging State & Local Officials A delegation from the Chamber traveled back to Sacramento later that month to participate the CA Black Chamber's (CBCC) Legislative
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Members of the Chamber visit CA Senator Curren Price at the Capitol during their visit to Sacramento
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Reception & Policy Luncheon. Small business owners meet with Senator Price's office to express support for greater minority/DBE outreach efforts in both the private and public sectors. The Senator chairs the Senate Select Committee on Procurement and Joint Committee on Arts. FMBCC members had the opportunity to interact with various members of the CA Legislative Black Caucus at the CBCC Legislative Reception that evening.
On January 25, the Chamber in partnership with Fresno City Councilmember Oliver Baines and the California Young Democrats- Black Caucus held the first Connect 2 Elect Legislative Reception at the Downtown Club that allowed members to engage with local elected officials. Along with a number candidates, Councilmember Blong Xiong, Fresno Unified Trustee Carol Mills and Superior Court Judge Glenda Allen Hill were in attendance.
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President Hill with Councilmember Oliver Baines, Demcractic Party VP Eric Bauman and CA Young Democrats-Black Cacus Chair Sean Dugar
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Speakers included President Tate Hill, Board Director of Government Affairs Lawrence Thomas, Sean Dugar of CYD-Black Caucus Chair, Councilmember Oliver Baines, and special guest Eric Bauman, Vice Chair of the CA Democrat Party.
All speakers emphasized the importance of business owners and the African-American community having their voices heard in the political process.
See news stories from CBS47 and Let's Talk TV.
You can learn more about the Chamber's Government Affairs activities and how you can participate by going to our website, www.fmbcc.com.
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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 color--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). 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 , 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.
January 2012 Met with CPUC Commissioner Ferron about increasing power purchasing agreement opportunities in the Valley and encouraging GO156 activities in the region Held meetings to form the Government Affairs Committee
Connected with over 20 banking institutions at the CenCal business conference about supplier diversity opportunities in the Fresno area
Testified before the CA State Senate hearing on procurement for greater regional small and minority business outreach in the CAHSR ProjectParticipated in calls with White Staff about ways to the federal government can support small and African-American business communities
Met the Fresno Collaborative Juneteenth Committee about ways to include the Chamber and its members
Attended the San Joaquin Valley Regional SBE/DBE /MBE Conference
Co-facilitated a statewide African-American business stakeholders meeting with Senator Price at the Capitol
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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Get F.I.T. in 2012 !
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Get Financially ready, Internet smart, and Technologically savvy in 2012. The Fresno Metro Black Chamber in partnership with Tri Counties Bank and Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are proud to offer local business owners this FREE one-day seminar to learn practical, easy-to-implement financial management skills with the user-friendly and flexible QuickBooks accounting software. This is one of 10 workshops in 2012 that will help shape up your business for high productivity and prepare you to serve more clients include government contracting and corporate supplier chains.
Space is limited. To reserve your seat, call Anthony Bea at 559-449-7480
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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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