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Advertise your Business Here!
$35 for Members ~ $60 for Non-Members
Up to 2 spaces available on our Monthly Newsletter
Call 408.288.8806 for more info!
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The President's Message
 
"Economic Development - more than Entrepreneurship"
Since June 2013, when I came into office, I've been working on creating a robust economically empowered community for minorities, especially African Americans, here in San Jose.
Many people who read this may not live specifically in San Jose or Silicon Valley, the southern portion of the San Francisco Bay Area, yet would like to help, benefit, or contribute to our economic development efforts. Your opportunity to participate is not only wanted, it's critical.
But first let's talk about the title "Economic Development - more than Entrepreneurship". Creating business owners is what we do but our purpose here at the chamber is more than entrepreneurship. It's also about JOBS. It's also about EDUCATION. Understand that unless we look into our education system, we won't have a pipeline of future entrepreneurs. Unless we focus on job creation, dollars don't flow through our community.
The obvious way to participate with our chamber is through entrepreneurial development but most of what I'll share now is about Job creation and education. Yet I have to say this. If you have a great idea and want to know how to start, finance and grow your idea into a successful business, we can help, so call us.
Jobs and job creation ideas come to the chamber now every month. See our newsletter Jobs section. Our recent new member Balance Staffing looks for companies that have job openings and then find individuals who have the skills to fill those jobs. Our chamber can connect both of you; the employer with the opportunity and the potential employee looking for the opportunity.
If you want to get into the construction field, we have an opportunity for you to "Earn while you Learn" as a union electrical journeyman ($25 per/hr up to $50+ per/hr).
If you have Office skills, Graphic Design skills, Marketing or Management skills and want to intern for experience in those areas then come serve at the chamber. After your internship we will connect you with the appropriate companies and agencies to help you get a full or part time job.
We have job opportunities available for those who want to work all the way up to San Francisco through our relationship with the SF African American Chamber of Commerce.
If you are or know of someone who is a solutions oriented person, then help us help those in "High Tech" who really do want to hire people of color for high tech jobs.
If you know of African American employee network groups within tech companies or other companies then call and connect us with those groups.
If you have a heart to help our youth then call and ask how you can support our Next Generation Business Academy, which teaches business and financial literacy to high school students.
I could go on and on, but you get the drift. We don't have every answer to every problem YET, but with your help, your support, your gifts and talents, your relationships and connections, we can start to build this robust economically empowered community we all want.
Call the chamber and ask what you can do to help. I know you can help. Be a person that makes a difference in this community and in others' lives.
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Highlighting a SVBCC Member
Christelle Fernandez, Owner of iVirtual Business Services
Why You Need a Virtual Assistant and the Biggest Mistakes to Avoid If you're a one-man or one-woman show, that may work for a while, however, if you have bigger goals for yourself and your business, you will need to start building team. And honestly, sooner rather than later, will give you a much better advantage in accomplishing your goals. Virtual Assistants are typically organized and are great at systemizing processes, and those are best put in place as close to the beginning as possible. As you grow, life will be much easier. Click here to read Entire Article and Mistakes to Avoid!
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 September Leads Breakfast Saturday, 9/20 TIme: 9-11am Location: Hometown Buffet 408 N. Capitol Ave, San Jose
Leverage Relationships to grow your business and exhcange referral leads that will bless someone else in their business, as well as yours.
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 Essay Contest for Children
Living in the U.S., most of us have never heard of The
Annual Essay Contest for Children and Young People of African Descent. But if you ask children from Britain, Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and other global destinations, their eyes light up.
It was born out of a desire to encourage both analytical and critical thinking in youth of African descent. And its mission is to show children of African descent across Africa and the African diaspora that their own communities care about and support their educational development. Its creator is Lorna Jones, former volunteer office manager at our chamber a few months ago. Ms. Jones has run the contest from her home, wherever she may be living at the time; the UK, the Caribbean, and currently right here in San Jose. To sustain the contest, she visits schools around the world and here in the US to encourage participation. She solicits judges from our communities everywhere, and she does ceaseless fund raising, always looking to increase the rewards winners receive. She has never taken a salary instead, every dollar raised goes into the pockets of the winners. The contest is open to children of African descent in three age groups: 7 to 10 years, 11 to 13 years and 14 to 16 years. Contestants write in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and traditional African languages. The essay topics require the children to read, conduct research, practice critical thinking and express themselves on challenging historical and contemporary issues that affect people of African descent globally.
The essay topics are age appropriate. Examples of past topics for the 11 to 16 age groups include: - Analyzing a speech given by President Obama in Ghana,
- Resource-grabbing and its impact on food security,
- The toxic chemistry of everyday products,
- The influence of western culture on African nations,
- Interpreting the African proverb "Until the lion learns to write, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunter".
All participants receive feedback from the Judges and a certificate. The top three winning essayists are awarded a cash prize. The amounts vary depending on how much she raises each year. Essayists are also given opportunities to present their essay in a public forum. To date, essayists have presented on TV, radio, at conferences and their essays have been featured on grain.org. What can you do to help? Over the last few years, Ms. Jones has had to turn away children because she didn't have enough judges. It is not unusual for a single school in a developing nation to want to enroll hundreds of their students. Judges can read essays from the age group they select, and are asked to read no more than 10 papers. If you are interested in judging or financially supporting the 2015 contest, please visit the contest's website at http://www.lornajones.net. Judges are asked to download, complete and email the Judges' Registration form. The website provides several ways you can support the contest financially.
Here's an opportunity for all of us to play a role in helping children and young people to develop the vital literacy and critical thinking skills that will prepare them for their future.
 
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Are You Looking for Jobs/Contracting Opportunities
Chipotle hires chamber referrals
Below is the link for the jobs at Chipotle. Click on careers when you get in and then choose the Campbell site so you can get to Jeff Blevins (the general manager). Let him know that Alicia Owens sent you so he knows the chamber is helping him secure applicants. Chipotle stills needs around 30-40 people, and they don't have to have any experience.
Chipotle's Link
Welcome New Member Balance Staffing ( web link for jobs )
Looking for a Job or you have a Job opportunity for someone (just mention SVBCC)
Contractors:
Local Union #322 Electrical Apprenticeship Program starting at $25 p/hr. "Earn while you Learn" call chamber for more details. Limited time so call NOW !!!
Contractors who are seeking contracting opportunities on major Silicon Valley projects should call (408) 288-8806 or email our office info@blackchamber.com to be added to our CONTRACTORS LIST
Other Jobs:
Registered Nurse Position available for Contra Costa County Health Services Dept
Click Here for More Info
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 CHAMBER NEEDS & NEWS....
Internship available at chamber NOW !!!
Are you a SVBCC Member yet? SVBCC means Business
SVBCC is here to connect you to the people and resources most relevant to your business, whether you are a first-time entrepreneur, a growing company scaling its business, an investor looking for the next great opportunity or a professional firm providing entrepreneurs with resources and support.
Call our chamber, 408.288.8806, to explore how Membership with the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce can make a difference in the success of your business.
Ask how we calculate your membership fees and how you can earn credits for referrals of other businesses to the chamber. Here's a partial list of the benefits of being a member of our chamber of commerce:
- Learn how to Properly Start Your Business
- Learn techniques on how to Grow & Finance Your Business
- Even Learn how to Exit Your Business
Need a Business Address?
Ask about our Office Space for Rent in our Incubator Program, 408.288.8806
Chamber News:
Our president attended a business and cultural reception hosted by the Consul General of Japan, The Honorable Masato Watanabe. This reception, held in the private home of the Consul General, brought together business leaders from around the SF Bay Area with hopes of developing and furthering relationship for doing business with Japan worldwide. The event is part of the vision of organizer Jim Martin, President/CEO of Positive Communications.
 
 
Our SVBCC Features:
Emmy nominated producer and award winning talk show host Janice Edwards.
Watch Janice Edwards' Bay Area Vista television show, featuring business, community leaders, celebrities, non-profit organizations and issues of interest; providing depth, context, perspective, compelling personal stories and entertainment.
Watch Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00am on ION-TV and Sundays at 4:00pm on CreaTV.
It's time to tell your story and let people know about the incredible work that you do. Call 415-261-2199 or email Janice.edwards@bayareavista.com.
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More Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events: - September 13th 11am - 4pm Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority inc., Rho Delta Omega chapter, Ivy & Pearls Foundation, present 9th annual Wine, Croquet & Music Fundraiser Click for Info
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September 20th: 11am - 2pm W.O.R.D. Ministries Gospel Concert Click for Info
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October 15th: Festiv'ALL is coming, Wednesday 15th, ultimate community networking event Click for Info
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 Newsletter Provided by iVBS:
"The Ultimate Social Media Plan" - 6 wk step by step guide on content and social media marketing.
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