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CHAMBER CONNECTIONS
FMBCC's E-Newsletter |
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| Greetings! |
Moving Full Speed Ahead!
In 2012, the Chamber is focused on encouraging greater business diversity in the Fresno region.
The successful Central Valley Business Diversity Expo was designed to equip small & minority entrepreneurs, harness the Valley's rich diversity, and empower decision makers allowing all parties to benefit from equity-driven growth model. We want to make sure our members and partners maximize opportunities to connect, learn and compete in 2012 and beyond.
It takes a village to raise the village. We believe team work is vital to the success of any organization, group or business. The Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce & Chamber Foundation appreciates the partnerships that are sprouting as a result of the Expo and the Business Diversity Project. We are also building internal leadership, as we are in the process of electing new members to the Board to help guide the Chamber and its members in these economically challenging times and to the opportunities ahead.
That's why the Chamber is fully committed to supporting policies & projects that encourage economic parity in the Valley. Whether its California High Speed Rail or regional diversity data, we are working to help provide our business community with all the arsenal it needs to grow businesses, jobs and our regional economy.
If you are looking to grow your small business or tap into the $1 trillion U.S. Black buying power, I highly encourage you join us next Wednesday, April 18 for our State of the Black Business Community Luncheon with special guest, Ron Busby of the U.S. Black Chamber. Click here for more information.
Encouraged about what tomorrow holds,
J. Tate Hill II, President
Fresno Metro Black Chamber
Fresno Metro Black Chamber Foundation
Twitter: @fresnometrobcc
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Chamber receives $25K grant to support supplier diversity in Fresno
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 | | l-r: Jeanette Ishii, PG&E senior governmental relations; Dick Keyes, FMBC Foundation Treasurer; Tate Hill, FMBC Foundation president; Cindy Pollard, PG&E Government Affairs Manager. |
The Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce & Chamber Foundation are pleased to announce it has received a $25,000 grant from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). The Chamber will use these funds to support its Business Diversity Project: Urban Core Economic Development Initiative. The Initiative is a major part of the Chamber's goal to support the increase of diversity and inclusion in the Central Valley's economy through employment, management, procurement and philanthropy. The Urban Core Economic Development Initiative encourages, supports and builds the capacity of firms ... Read More |
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Register/Reserve Your Seat
Join The Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce for special guest speaker, Ron Busby, President & CEO of the United State Black Chamber of Commerce out of Washington DC. Busby, an adviser to the White House on small business and the African-American business community. Also, installation of the new board members & FMBCC member recognition.
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Minority business connect, learn & compete at CVBD Expo
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 | | Chamber President Hill speaks at the CVBD Expo's Power Breakfast about to contracting disparities |
200 business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders joined the Fresno Metro Black Chamber at the first Central Valley Business Diversity Expo on March 28, 2012 at University Square Hotel in Fresno. From CA High Speed Rail to best practices for diversity recruitment, participants learned about ways diversity can create opportunities for small business here in the Valley. Special guest included elected officials-- Mayor Ashley Swearengin and Supervisor Henry R Perea along with Greenlining Institute's Orson Aguilar as the luncheon keynote speaker.
Blake Engraving wins the first Emerging Entrepreneur Pitch Contest
Congrats to FMBCC member, Cleon Blake of Blake Engraving wins the contest during the Central Valley Business Diversity Expo. Blake Engraving will receive a $5000 service package from the Chamber its partners to support his business.
Thanks to the our sponsors for helping make the Expo possible:
 
Central Valley Business Diversity Expo Host Committee:
Tate Hill II, Fresno Metro Black Chamber; Cynthia Pollard, PG&E; Eric Johnson, AT&T, Mark McComas, Minority Development Business Development Agency; Janis Parker, Fresno Regional WIB; Michael Moss, Supplier Clearinghouse; Douglas Phason, Office of CPUC Commissioner Timothy Simon
Workshop Facilitators:
Eric Johnson, Mark McComas, Michael Moss, Charlene Reynolds, Patrick Nelson, Lou Rosas, Jackie Kennedy Harris, Jose Placenia, Rick Keyes, Dr. Fred Mora, Rich Mostert, Carlos Mendoza
Vendors:
Black Stallion Enterprises, Blake's Engraving, Paradigm Industries, University Square Hotel
*All vendors used for the Expo are local minority-owned firms
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Business Diversity Survey Extended
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The Central Valley Business Diversity Survey deadline has been extended to May 1
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 at (www.fmbcc.com). Also, you can download a hard copy of the survey.
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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Dr. Watts crosses the Atlantic to Swim Sidewayz
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Dr. Robert Watts with Bishop Desmond Tutu
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Dr. Robert Watts, a two time presenter at the Fresno Urban Leadership Conference and FMBCC member, traveled to South Africa for client consulting projects. During the trip he had the opportunity to speak and consult in Johannesburg and Capetown, two of South Africa's largest cities.
Amongst non-stop consulting after the 24-hour flight from, Dr. Watts did take time to travel, learn about, and connect to the people.
Click here more about Watts & Associates and the Leadership Advantage Seminars in Fresno.
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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. February - Quick Books March - DBE/MBE/CPUC/SBE Certification and Bonding April - 10 Tools to make your business internet smart
Space is limited. To reserve your seat, call 559-441-7929 Sponsored by |
| 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... Read more |
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SAVE THE DATE
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Juneteenth Scholarship Power Luncheon
June 15, 2012
Back to School, Back to Work Job FairSeptember 13, 2012
Manchester Center
Fresno Urban Leadership Conference September 26, 2012
Radisson Hotel & Convention CenterDowntown Fresno
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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.
April 2012 Attended the release of the revised Business Plan of the CA High Speed Rail Project March 2012 Hosted the Central Valley Business Diversity Expo that secured procurement, recruitment and business development staff from more than 20 Fortune 500 companies, agencies and private firms. Tate Hill & FMBCC members Guy Johnson (Radiance Insurance) and Julia Dudley-Najieb (Ann Marie Productions) attended the CA Black Chamber's African-American Leadership Weekend. Learned about impacts & opportunities with Affordable Healthcare Act. Testified in support of CA HSR before the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. Board decides to postpone letter to Rail Authority Met with Small Business Majority regarding the Affordable Healthcare Act Supported & attended press conference to encourage the CA Public Utilities Commission to allow lower utility rates (EED rate) for new job-creating California firms February 2012 Advocated for minority contracting & outreach at meetings with U.S. Transportation Secy. La Hood and CA HSR Chair Richard while in Fresno confirming the President's and Governor's commitment to high speed rail in California Hosted introduction lunch with FBI Public Outreach department & members of the community at the African-American Museum Support nomination of three African-American Heritage Award recipients from Assembly member Henry T Perea 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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| 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 - Summer 2012 |
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