According to the Centers’ director Anne Flynn Schlicht it offers aspiring and existing business owners free business counseling, training programs, technical support and mentoring focused on business planning and financing, access to capital, federal contracting, and business expansion through international markets and exporting. 412-365-1253
The Eastern Minority Supplier Diversity Council, using the slogan one council two locations services Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Its mission is to stimulate and support economic development with minority-owned businesses that includes Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans. The group certifies and connects minority-owned businesses throughout Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware with member corporations who are committed to supplier development and want to purchase their products, services and solutions.
During its recent Annual Meeting and Year End Celebration, Valarie J. Cofield, president and CEO announced that 2016 was a success and that plans for 2017 include introducing new assessment tools to assess corporate member needs and MBE capabilities. An active programs calendar will deliver monthly events focused on growth, connection, and business development and the Council will commission an economic impact study. She also mentioned that their first post-merger annual report will be published.
A Business Institute that serves as a national model for developing and sustaining profitable minority-owned enterprises; an annual candidate’s forum to ask candidates and elected officials questions concerning minority businesses and demonstrating how to do business by working with major corporations, authorities, and organizations to advance opportunities for members to conduct business are a few programs and services offered by the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania.
The goal of offering such attributes to its members and guests is to assist in their development and gaining access to decision-makers for business growth. A staple of the organization is the Power Breakfast meeting held from September through June.
A Chief Executive Officer addresses attendees on how to do business with their company or organization. Doris Carson Williams, President and CEO of the Chamber has announced that County Executive Rich Fitzgerald will be the guest for the 7:30 a.m. January 20 Power Breakfast meeting held at the Rivers Club in the Oxford Center. For information call 412-392-0610.
In 1992 the Riverside Center for Innovation opened its doors with the goal of fostering small business growth. Since then the nonprofit organization reports that it has generated over half a billion dollars in economic impact and supported more than 3,500 jobs. Juan Garrett, RCI executive director says, “Our programs provide services that help grow small businesses into a sustainable enterprise. Aside from providing office spaces to MWDBE and Veteran entrepreneurs we assist them in gaining access to networking opportunities, seminars, and provide a wide range of resources.”
He considers the RIC a business “work tank” that incubates businesses, provides them with resources, and helps them become successful. The group also partners with many members of the community, to assure they have the connections to assist in the growth of any type of business. 412-322-3523.
Urban Innovation21 classifies itself as a unique public-private partnership supporting the growth of entrepreneurship in our region’s innovation economy and connecting that growth to underserved communities and the residents that live in those communities. Its “Inclusive Innovation” approach, according to William Generett Jr., president and CEO is an economic development approach that is working to make sure that all communities are connected to the Pittsburgh Region’s Economic prosperity. Also, realizing the importance of a small amount of capital to unlock the potential of an entrepreneur Urban Innovation21 and Kiva Pittsburgh have formed a partnership that will expand access to capital for Pittsburgh start-up businesses and experienced entrepreneurs who have difficulty securing traditional funding.
Kiva, an international nonprofit based in San Francisco is an innovative crowdfunding platform that democratizes small business capital so that entrepreneurs of all backgrounds can access capital to launch or grow a business. The two organizations will recruit and be promoting the availability of Kiva jointly—assisting business owners through the application process and linking them to Urban Innovation21 programs as applicable. 412-281-0102.
Mark your calendar for the Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Governmental Committee 21th anniversary of the organization and 16th year of its Annual MWDBE Conference slated for March. The MWDBE Governmental Committee is comprised of city, county, state and federal governmental agency representatives. Its mission is to create effective methods that strengthen economic opportunities for MWDBEs and to provide assistance in securing contracts in the procurement, construction and professional service markets leading to profitability and growth for these businesses. 412-402-2460.
A neophyte in the business development arena is the Homewood-Bruston Business Association. Its mission is to foster the development and growth of the Homewood-Brushton business community, to enhance its visibility, and to preserve its history. By building a stable foundation for businesses by increasing the capacity of businesses and providing access to capital, industry information, technical assistance and business support the group’s vision is to increase the economic viability of Homewood-Brushton small business owners. 412-945-7422
“The Pittsburgh region offers many resources to assist entrepreneurs,” says Garrett. “The key is to research and find what group or groups best meets your needs. But most importantly as a small business marketing is paramount. With the U.S. Census Bureau projecting that by the end of 2016 $1.1 trillion to $1.3 trillion will have passed through the hands of Black Americans, we are in a time that we must offer strong, sustainable enterprises.”
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