Special to BIZ. Magazine
The Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce is experiencing a growth in membership. Through April 30, the organization has added 50 new members and corporate partners.
Member benefits include free headshots, networking opportunities, Lunch and Learn events, small business coaching, cash mobs, social media promotion, free job postings on the SBAACC’s website, business listing in the SBAACC directory and website, ribbon cutting ceremony, member-to-member discounts, and corporate partner deals.
The next Lunch and Learn: How to Do Business with Municipal Government is 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, May 25 at The Office Hub located at 331 Milam Street, Shreveport. The City of Shreveport Fair Share Department, Parish of Caddo and Caddo Parish Schools will be represented. This Lunch and Learn is free to members and $15 for non-members. To register, click here.
These Lunch and Learns are extremely important to boosting small businesses. A new data report from tax prep service H&R Block suggests Black-owned businesses took the biggest hit during the pandemic. A survey of almost 3,000 small businesses found that 54 percent of Black business owners saw their revenue drop by half compared to 37 percent of White owners, since the pandemic started.
“We have a variety of new members including some new restaurants and financial services companies that have joined SBAACC,” said Billy Anderson, executive director. “We are seeing local, small businesses bounce back from the pandemic and some open their doors for the first time. We’ve had the pleasure of participating in four ribbon cutting ceremonies in the last several months.”
Anderson said many Black-owned businesses did not quality for the first round of government relief funding. However, more Black-owned businesses were able to participate in the most recent round of government funding and are receiving the help they need.
The SBAACC serves as the premier voice in Northwest Louisiana for the African American business community. The organization’s vision is to lead the charge for advocacy, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. To learn more about the SBAACC, visit www.sbaacc.org.
