Minority Business

The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Keith L. Eakins, Jr., Assistant Manager of Minority Supplier Development for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA), has been selected as the 2006 recipient of the Minority Business Development “Point of Light” Award.

The award was presented at the Chamber's third annual Minority Business Forum Tuesday, March 14. The Forum was sponsored by Thomas McPherson, Employment Dispute Resolution Services.

The Point of Light award is presented in recognition of dedicated service to Minority Business Development in the River Region, and continued service in promoting economic development in the area.

“Montgomery’s course in minority and small business development and economic gain will be changed only by a change in ideas and inclusiveness at the table,” said Harold Boone, Director of Minority Business Development for the Chamber. “Mr. Eakins plays an active part in assuring those changes and we’re pleased to recognize his work.”

The Minority Business Forum annually provides minority business leaders an opportunity to meet civic and Chamber leadership, and to become more knowledgeable about the economic landscape of the city and region.

Following the Forum, there was a workshop from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., titled “How to Do Business with NASA,” featuring Vernotto C. McMillan, Manager, Technology Transfer Program, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.

The Chamber's Minority Business Development initiatives work to promote activities and relationships, in both the public and private sectors, to increase business ownership, market, education and training opportunities for minority-owned businesses.

Pictured are, from left, Steve Flanagan, Chairman of the Chamber's Minority Business Development Business Interest Group (BIG), Keith Eakins, and Mac McLeod, Chairman of the Board, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about the Chamber's Minority Business Development initiatives, contact Marion Winn at 334-240-6899 or email mwinn@montgomerychamber.com.

The 2005 MED Week conference, held Sept. 21, drew a full house for its luncheon event, which featured keynote speaker Milton Davis, an attorney who played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement, and a special guest appearance by International Recording Artist Lionel Richie.

The theme of the MED Week conference was The Art of the Deal: Making it Happen, and other conference activities on Wednesday included an open forum and panel discussion, as well as smaller group workshops.

Davis spoke on the theme of Emotional Intelligence and how empathy is a component of leadership. “Emotional intelligence is a social skill, and it is not as simple as it sounds,” Davis told the rapt audience. “It is not just a matter of friendliness. It’s friendliness with a purpose – to move people in the direction that you want them to go.” He emphasized the value of empathy as a tool that allows business leaders to work effectively as part of a global community by giving them a deep understanding of cultural and ethnic difference, and how to embrace them. Empathy, he said, helps leaders to build a strong network that supports them in their success, and which allows them to remain optimistic even in the face of setback or failure.

Richie expressed his excitement with the opportunities in Montgomery and Alabama, and his desire to help young people succeed. He said that he would like to use his academic background – degrees in Accounting and Finance from Tuskegee University and Auburn University – to create a type of internship program for students preparing to enter the workforce. “There are kids coming out of school, and they have the degree, but they don’t know how to ‘deal,’” he said. “I’d like to establish a kind of bridge between corporate America and schools, a kind of intern program, that allows students to gain experience and also allows companies to see what kind of new talent is available.” Richie also expressed an interest in dealing with younger students as well, at the high school level. “There’s so much talent. We’ve got to find a way to reach them earlier and motivate them and really get them going,” he said. “We’ve got to set a model for them early and show them an opening, an opportunity. Let them visit the future. If you can educate your workforce, you’ve got magic. They will change a city, change a state, change this nation.”

Richie said he is interested in returning to Alabama, where he grew up in Tuskegee, to look for corporate partners in his new venture. “Now that I’m an elderly statesman in the music business,” he said with a chuckle, “I’m interested in exploring that opportunity.” Creating a mentoring program appeals to him because it allows him to be personally involved with creating the future, he said. “I want to teach, as well as be a fulltime businessman. Teaching is so rewarding, because these kids will come back and surprise you with what they can do,” Richie said. MED Week is a celebration of minority enterprise.

The Chamber believes that entrepreneurial diversity is key to the long-term success of Montgomery and the River Region. The Chamber’s Minority Business Development initiatives work to promote activities and relationships, in both the public and private sectors, to increase business ownership, market, education and training opportunities for minority-owned businesses. Minority Business Development is a critical component of Small Business Development and part of the Chamber’s Small Business Incubator. For more information about MED Week or the Chamber’s minority business development programs, contact Marion Winn at 334-240-6899 or email mwinn@montgomerychamber.com.

Harold L. Boone, Sr., Director of Minority Business Development for the Chamber, has been selected as Regional Minority Advocate of the Year by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Atlanta National Enterprise Center. He was honored at the 23rd Annual MED Week Awards Luncheon on August 15 in Atlanta, Ga., where he was presented with the award by Robert M. Henderson, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency, and Ronald N. Langston, National Director, U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency. Boone was recognized for his "creative leadership, tireless passion, and dedication to developing and promoting minority enterprises, resulting in building and sustaining a business environment in Montgomery and the River Region that is inclusive and diverse economically," among other achievements. Boone was nominated by Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. Pictured are, from left, Henderson, Boone and Langston.

Harold L. Boone, Sr., Director of Minority Business Development for the Chamber, has been selected as Regional Minority Advocate of the Year by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Atlanta National Enterprise Center. He will attend the 23rd Annual MED Week Awards Luncheon on August 14 in Atlanta, Ga., where he will be presented with the award. The President of the United States will proclaim the week of Sept. 11-14, 2005, as National MED (Minority Enterprise Development) Week. The Chamber will host a variety of MED Week activities Sept. 21-23 at Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Montgomery. Events are centered on the theme, The Art of the Deal: Making it Happen. For more information about Montgomery’s MED Week events, call 334-240-6899 or email mwinn@montgomerychamber.com.

At the Chamber's 2nd Annual Minority Business Development Forum, held Tuesday, March 8, 2005, Cedric Varner was announced as the first recipient of the new Points of Light Award. During the award presentation it was noted that Varner, who is an advertising executive for WRJM-TV, was honored for his dedicated service to Minority Business Development in the River Region, and his continued service in promoting economic development and growth in the area.

It was standing room only at the 2nd Annual Minority Business Development Forum, sponsored by the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, March 8, 2005. The event was held at the Montgomery Advertiser, in the Freedom Room from 8-9 a.m.

Open to business people and community leaders interested in promoting minority business development in the River Region, the forum allows individuals to become more knowledgeable about the economic progress and opportunities in the City of Montgomery. More than 150 people attended this year’s event.

Those in attendance heard from speakers including Rev. Michael Thurman, pastor of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, who is Chairman of the Minority Business Development Business Interest Group (BIG) for 2005; Daniel Hughes of Summit America, who serves as Executive Committee Liaison; Robert Daniel, with RPR Consulting, who serves as Chairman of the Business Diversity Task Force; Jimmie Varnado of Sterling Bank, Chairman of the Business Outreach Task Force; and Keith Karst from Alabama Power Company, who Co-Chairs the I-65 Corridor Development Task Force with Marvin Goldsby of Alagasco.

For more information about the Chamber’s Minority Business Development Department, contact Marion Winn, Manager, Minority Business Development, by email at mwinn@montgomerychamber.com , or call 334-240-6899.

Participants in the Chamber?s new Minority Business Development Mentor Program gathered on Tuesday evening, Jan. 25, for an orientation session to meet their new partners for success. The unique new program is designed to foster minority business ownership, development and success in the River Region. The Mentor Program, created by the Chamber?s Minority Business Development department, pairs minority-owned businesses with established Chamber member businesses for a period of one year, with business partners agreeing to adhere to a schedule of activities and dialogues designed to enhance minority business success through shared knowledge, resources and opportunities. For more information about the Mentor program, or how you can get involved, contact the Chamber?s Minority Business Development department at 334-832-4790 or email mwinn@montgomerychamber.com.

Participating as Mentors in the new program are:

Alabama Power Company
Anchor Mortgage
Ballard Companies
Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, PC
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church
Employment Dispute Resolution Service
Hodges Bonded Warehouse
Industrial Partners
JB Crosby
Jerry Kyser Builder
Knox Kershaw, Inc.
Larry Puckett Chevrolet
Mallory Realty
Montgomery Pulmonary
Standard Roofing
Summit America
Tommie Miller Enterprises
VT Miltope
and Wilson, Price, Barranco, Blankenship and Billingsley, PC

Minority owned businesses participating in the new program are:

Anatomy Solutions
Points of Peace Therapeutic Massage
Medical Career Staffing Services
The Ramos Group
We Are Women In Recovery
B Tops Landscaping
Frankie?s Seafood Grill
Kelly Construction Company
Sandlewood Lodge
Hendrix?s Electrix
C. Edward Lewis & Associates, Inc.
Diamonds and Pearls Photography
New Look Photography
Phillips & Riley Funeral Home
KHAFRA
H.O.L.T. (Helping Others Learn Technology)
Vision Entertainment LLC
Playtime, Inc.
and C & Associates

The Chamber believes that entrepreneurial diversity is key to the long-term success of Montgomery and the River Region. The Chamber's Minority Business Development initiatives work to promote activities and relationships, in both the public and private sectors, to increase business ownership, market, education and training opportunities for minority-owned businesses. Minority Business Development also is a critical component of Small Business Development, and part of the Chamber's Center for Entrepreneurial Development.

Close to 200 people enjoyed the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours and Business Expo, held Sept. 30 at Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, 300 Tallapoosa Street, downtown. This event capped off the Chamber?s celebration of Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week 2004.

While this event is open to everyone, as a part of MED Week it offers a special opportunity for minority and small business owners to meet with Chamber staff and business colleagues to discuss such issues as how to secure funding for a new business, tips for managing a business, and resources for success. Chamber staff members were on hand to meet business owners, answer questions and provide information.

The Business Expo also provides an opportunity for local business leaders to meet with other business owners and explore the wide range of products and services offered in the River Region, while Business After Hours is an opportunity to network and make important connections for future business success.

If you would like more information about the Chamber or Chamber membership, please contact Keely Smith, Manager, Member Recruitment, ksmith@montgomerychamber.com. For more information about Minority Business Development, contact Marion Winn, Manager, Minority Business Development, mwinn@montgomerychamber.com. For more information about the Small Business Incubator, visit them online at www.montgomeryincubator.org, or email Lisa McGinty, Director, Small Business Development, lmcginty@montgomerychamber.com.

With Hurricane Ivan bearing down on the Gulf Coast, the Chamber?s 2004 MED Week activities had to be adjusted slightly, but were still enjoyed by all who attended. Four events were scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 15, the day before Ivan was to make landfall somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico.

The decision was made on Tuesday, Sept. 14, to cancel a Mixer that had been planned for Wednesday evening, in order to allow Montgomery area residents time to ?batten down the hatches? in preparation for the storm?s arrival. However, the Chamber still offered two workshops and a luncheon featuring keynote speaker Keith L. Eakins, Jr., Assistant Manager of Purchasing & Procurement for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) on Wednesday.

The morning workshop, held at the Montgomery Advertiser Freedom Room, was presented by Jimmie Varnado of Sterling Bank, who also chairs the Chamber?s Business Outreach Task Force for Minority Business Development. Titled, ?Show Me the Money,? this energetic workshop explored the topic of securing financing for a new business and sound financial management for continued business success.

More than 100 people attended the luncheon, where they were greeted by Arlinda Knight, Chairman of the Chamber?s Minority Business Development committee, and Chamber Chairman of the Board Carl Barranco. The trumpet section from the Sidney Lanier High School band played a powerful rendition of the National Anthem and Reverend Michael Thurmond, Pastor of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, presented the invocation.

Luncheon attendees watched a special video presentation taped by performer Lionel Richie, who had originally hoped to attend the MED Week event but had to cancel his plans due to conflicts with his rehearsal schedule for an imminent European tour. Richie encouraged attendees to take an active role in creating their own future with entrepreneurial efforts.

Mr. Eakins presented the keynote address, speaking on the topic of ?Forward to the Future: Minority Business Enterprise ? The National Priority.? He stressed to those in attendance that they must be responsible for changing their future.

?We, as diversity managers, must make [Minority Business Enterprise] a priority and not an ?agenda? item,? he told the audience. ?We must push from within, we must plan, we must utilize our tools and our networks to produce opportunities for our minority businesses. We are the key to making it a national priority. We are the ones out there walking that path, creating the opportunities.?

The scheduled 1:30 p.m. workshop was to be presented by Lorenza Patrick of the Alabama State University?s Small Business Development Center on the topic of ?Securing Government Contracts.? Unfortunately, as developing weather reports indicated that Hurricane Ivan would most likely come ashore at Mobile Bay, increasing the danger to Montgomery residents, the afternoon workshop was cancelled.

?The Chamber has always believed that entrepreneurial diversity is essential for the long-range growth of Montgomery,? said Harold L. Boone, Sr., Director of Minority Business Development for the Chamber, and the organizer for this year?s MED Week events. ?The show of support from the business community and all the attendees ? despite Mother Nature?s best efforts ? was fantastic, and we are looking forward already to next year?s statewide MED Week celebration to bring in even more resources and opportunities for our minority and small businesses here in the Montgomery Area,? he said.

For more information about the Chamber's Minority Business Development programs, call 334-240-6899 or email Marion Winn, Manager, Small Business Development, at mwinn@montgomerychamber.com. For more information about the Chamber's Small Business Development programs, call the Small Business Incubator at 334-832-4790 or visit them online at www.montgomeryincubator.org.

On Tuesday, June 29, the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a leadership breakfast geared toward minority business. The event, which was attended by nearly 200 people, was held at the Carmichael Center, located at 150 East Fleming Rd. The hour-long event provided opportunities for networking, as well as a program of community updates and remarks from business and Chamber leaders about the benefits of Chamber membership and community involvement.

The Chamber believes that entrepreneurial diversity is key to the long-term success of Montgomery and the River Region. The Chamber?s Minority Business Development initiatives work to promote activities and relationships, in both the public and private sectors, to increase business ownership, market, education and training opportunities for minority-owned businesses. Minority Business Development also is a critical component of Small Business Development, and part of the Chamber?s Small Business Incubator. It is a goal of the Montgomery Chamber to double minority business participation in the Chamber in 2004.

Speakers at the morning program included Carl Barranco, Chairman of the Board, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce; Gordon Martin, Minority Business Development Executive Liaison for the Chamber; and Arlinda Knight, Minority Business Development Business Interest Group Chairperson for the Chamber. A highlight of the program was a series of presentations by Chamber member minority business owners Michelle Brower, PJR?s Fish & BBQ; and Ron Sanders, Imperial Coating Company; along with Mickey McInnis from the Montgomery Housing Authority. Additionally, Stacia Robinson of Business Network International presented tips about How to Market Your Business.

For more information about Minority Business Development, contact Marion Winn, program manager, at 334-240-6899. For more information about Chamber membership, contact Keely Smith, Manager New Member Recruitment, at 334-240-0420.

More than 75 minority business owners, community and business leaders, and honored guests attended the Chamber's first Minority Business Development Forum. The event was held on Thursday, March 4, at the Montgomery Advertiser's Freedom Room, and was designed to provide an opportunity for minority business owners to meet Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce leadership.

Diversity within the business and industrial community is a key factor to the Montgomery area?s long-term success. The Chamber?s Minority Business Development initiatives work to promote activities and relationships, in both the public and private sectors, to increase business ownership, market, education and training opportunities for minority-owned businesses. Minority Business Development also is a critical component of Small Business Development, and part of the Chamber?s Small Business Incubator.

Those attending the forum heard from representatives who serve on many of the Minority Business Development committees and action groups such as Business Diversity Outreach and I-65 Corridor Development Committee, among others. The group also heard from Carl Barranco, Chairman of the Board for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, and Chamber staff members.

A highlight of the Forum was the opportunity to hear from minority business owners, many of them tenants or graduates of the Chamber's Small Business Incubator, who shared their success stories and encouraged those in attendance to get involved in the business community. Speakers included James Harris of Ensemble Beverage, makers of Heritage Country Juices; Isaiah and Johnnie Sankey, owners of both New Visions assisted living facility and Isaiah's Restaurant, which also provided the catering for the morning's event; and Ron Whetstone of Genesis Realty, who spoke on behalf of his partner, Christine Jackson.

"If you're looking to get into business and make an impact on your community, the Small Business Incubator is the hub, the nucleus of economic development in Montgomery," Mr. Whetstone said.

For more information about Small Business Development, including Minority Business Development, and ways to get involved or receive assistance to grow your business, visit the Incubator online or call the Incubator at 334-832-4790 or call Minority Business Development at 334-240-6862.