April Conexion web

Big Bend Minority
Chamber of Commerce
About the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce
By Gina L. Kinchlow, MBA
Sean Pittman, BBMC Founder
The Big Bend Minority Chamber of
Commerce was organized in November
of 2012 in response to the looming gap
in economic opportunities for minorityowned
and woman-owned businesses
in Tallahassee and the four contiguous
counties. These businesses are largely
un-networked, lacking in reliable
advocacy, and in dire need of assistance
that will connect them to wealthbuilding
opportunities. With a mission
to stimulate grassroots economic growth
and development for minority and
women business enterprises, the BBMC
has designed a three-point strategy that
collectively addresses key areas of need.
ADVOCACY: BBMC leaders speak on
behalf of the membership on city, county,
state and national levels. They do this
by serving on key decision-making
committees that impact the business
community. They maintain a presence
and influence on Florida’s legislative
community and support political leaders
whose platforms address the concerns
of minority and women business
enterprises. By participating in activities
that provide a platform for the BBMC
message to be heard, this opens doors of
opportunity for BBMC members.
EDUCATION & INFORMATION: Research
shows that successful business
owners strategically stay connected to
knowledge sources and information
that make it possible for them to run
up-to-date enterprises. The BBMC
provides it members with a year-round
menu of industry-specific guest lectures,
workshops, symposia, networking
exchanges, online resources, and a library
of data and information that addresses
all aspects of business ownership.
Additionally, members gather on a
regular basis to share ideas and showcase
their goods and services.
NETWORK INTEGRATION & SUPPORT:
Capital and connections. The BBMC
understands these are two items at the
top of the list of needs for most minority
and women business owners. Through
our partnerships with banks, credit
unions, and financial support institutions,
we are able to successfully direct our
members to varying ranges of capital
from short-term, microloans to funding
for major capital projects. Hand-in-hand
with the capital is the pressing need to
connect to business opportunities in
both the public and private sectors where
minority business owners and women
business owners can compete on a level
playing field. The BBMC aggressively
seeks to ‘match’ its members to lucrative,
wealth-building job contracts through
matchmaking activities.
CHAMBER CALENDAR - April 2016
April 19: BBMC Council Chairs
Meeting - 12:00 Noon - BBMC Offices
April 20: BBMC Board of Directors
Meeting - 12:00 Noon - Pittman Law
Firm Offices
April 23: BBMC Council Leadership
Teams Summit - Location TBD -
10:00am to 2:00pm
April 25: “Understanding and
Marketing to Hispanics”
Members of the Big Bend Minority Chamber of
Commerce pose after enjoying the March 25
President’s Coffee at the Pittman Conference
Center. From left to right: RasheenJamison-
Richardson, Neidy Hornsby, Gina Kinchlow, Jami
Coleman, Christic Henry, and Brittany Rucker.
Dr. Fredrika Flakes, a professional life coach and
owner of Zoe Ventures, is a member of the Big
Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce. Shown
here with Michele Harston, both women were
selected to give 30-second ‘pitches’ about their
business enterprises.
BBMC Member Christic Henry co-owns Kingdom
First Realty with her husband, Karlus Henry.
Christic chairs the BBMC Women’s Business
Council and is shown here making opening
remarks at the March 25 President’s Coffee.
EVENTOS EN TALLY
Movie Night at The Museum
FLIPPER 1963
April 22nd 7:30 pm
Florida Historic Capitol Museum
400 S Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Healthy Communities Festival 2016
April 23rd from 9am - 3pm
23 Cascade Park
www.facebook.com/
events/630312243774094/
Chefs’ Sampler
April 24th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Children’s Home Society of Florida
(321) 397-3000
info@chsfl.org
Downtown Yoga by Florida Blue
May 5th at 6pm
Kleman Plaza-Downtown Tallahassee
300 S Duval St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
www.facebook.com/
events/1813963968830863/
Sundown Summer Concert Series
May 6th and 1st Friday of every
month of summer - 7pm - 10pm
Cascade Park
www.facebook.com/
events/1062566623785285/
Free Comic Book Day
May 10th from 10am - 4pm
1303 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee,
FL, 32301 850.224.2694
3852-A Killearn Center
Bvld, Tallahassee, FL, 32309
850.727.4355
bookshelftally@gmail.com
is a proud member of
PAEC Migrant Education Program
PAEC Migrant Education Program
Quincy/Mariana Area
315 N. Key Street Quincy, FL. 32351
Tel: 850-875-3806 • Fax: 850-627-9489
PAEC Migrant Education Program
Chipley/DeFuniak Springs Area
753 West Boulevard Chipley, FL. 32428
Tel: 850-638-6131 • Ext.2328
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