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African-American Small Business Expo is 7/19 at the South Shore Cultural Center

The City of Chicago SmallBusiness Center on the Road series is gearing up for the African-AmericanSmallBusiness Expo with keynote speaker, Desiree Rogers, CEO of Johnson Publishing and former White House Social Secretary for President Barack Obama. The free expo will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Drive, Chicago.

The City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection's SmallBusiness Center, the Office of New Americans and Western Union have partnered with local chambers of commerce to present the SmallBusiness Center on the Road series. The expos are free and open to the public, and offer business education and resources and an opportunity to network with important stakeholders in the community.

The event offers premiere resources and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs and established businesses. The SBC on the Road Series provides a one-stop location within targeted communities to promote smallbusiness growth and expansion within the City of Chicago.  

During the expo, entrepreneurs and business owners will be able to consult, network and gather information from more than 40 government and non-profit agencies, which will provide information about licensing, taxes, finance, business planning and much more.

Throughout the three-hour event, the Center for Economic Progress will provide a free tax clinic. Representatives will provide 20-minute consultations. Space is limited to 21 appointments, and times can be scheduled by calling 312.744.5504.

 At noon, Abraham David Lacy, of Far South Community Development Corporation, will moderate a panel discussion called "Microlending: A Great Tool for Business Growth and Development." The panelist will include:  

  • City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services;  
  • Melinda Kelly of Chatham Business Association;  
  • Teyonda Wertz of South Shore Chamber, Inc.;  
  • Gus Issacson of Central Lakeview Merchants;  
  • and Adrian Soto of Eighteenth Street Development Corp.

 Also at noon, Norma J. Williams, Founder and Chief Alignment Officer, of NJW Consulting will present the workshop "Making Lemonade Out of the Lemons of Life."

Posted in City of Chicago, Business News, CAN TV