2024-05-09T10:41:15-07:00 2023-12-31 990EZ 2023-01-01 510177821 ABILENE BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ABIL 3256727950 401 Cypress Street Abilene TX 79601 Paul Falade Treasurer 3252329256 2024-05-09 Paul Falade 999009999 1 0 11 1 AAL2 2023 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z X X X Chamber of Commerce 88987 X 85549 0 2930 508 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 88987 0 0 0 90162 3600 398 10824 104984 -15997 83671 0 67674 83671 67674 0 0 0 0 83671 67674 0 0 83671 67674 Networking Promoting the interests of small businesses and creating connections. Scholarships Increasing educational opportunities for the children in our community. Events Promoting awareness and preservation of Black heritage. Training Assisting in developing basic business and management skills. Development - Organize and implement programs to improve economic conditions. Legislation - Fostering representation on major issues of public policy to better our community. The Small Business Administration announced a grant opportunity-the COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR PILOT PROGRAM-in May 2021 with the goal of bringing business support to underserved entrepreneurs. It was designed to reduce barriers to accessing critical resources for small businesses-with the focus on microenterprises, cooperatives, and businesses in the early stages of development-owned by women, socially and economically disadvantaged, and underserved entrepreneurs. The program was part of the American Rescue Plan initiative which aimed to provide assistance during economic recovery. The Abilene Chamber of Commerce was one of 51 grantees nationwide, and one of two organizations in Texas to receive the funding; the project was for 24 months. Through the Hub & Spoke model, the Abilene chamber serves as the program "hub" connecting businesses to "spokes"-who help connect to specific sectors of the entrepreneurial community. The Abilene Black Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit volunteer organization, was selected as one of the spokes. The Abilene Black Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) brought on a diversity outreach consultant to assist with mentoring, training, outreach and assisting with initial contacts for information and assistance. The first contact was from Deydra Williams the owner of Pink Cap Warriors. Our consultant spent over 40 hours mentoring to help them prepare their certificate of formation, open a bank account, get their 501c3 and register at Sam.gov to apply for grants. They provide supplies to breast cancer patients. Deydra attended our free training sessions as well We were later notified that we could not utilize project resources to provide counseling services to any not organized for profit business unless they devote a significant portion of their activities to assisting entrepreneurs. We still consider our work with this business a success story. ABCC was contacted by faith-based organizations, Churches who wanted information to help them grow their outreach services in childcare, affordable housing projects, job skills training and food pantry. A relationship with PNC bank was formed. They sponsored our annual meeting which brought the collective of West Texas Navigator supporters, banks, SBA District Director, and businesses together. ABCC provided mentoring sessions to an African Business group made up of physicians, lawyers, pharmacists, and entrepreneurs. Our outreach consultant provided assistance, information and met with anyone who contacted us about starting a business or what the CNPP entailed and offered. During the entire grant period ABCC participated in consortium meetings with other Spokes, shared information, and upcoming trainings. ABCC offered training sessions via in person or virtual on Grant Writing 101, The Basics of Digital Business Marketing in 2023, Networking, Understanding Generations in the Workforce and TMAC. Our outreach consultant partnered with another Spoke in the presentation of: Start a Business, Become a Consultant and Seed Funding Discussion. 0 Delores Moore President/Grant Administrative Officer 20.00 12000 Paul Falade Treasurer/ Grant Finance Officer 10.00 23200 Linda Gray Consultant 10 14400 Andre Gwinn Sr Board Member/Grant Marketing & Social Media Consultant 10 3700 Floyd Miller Vice President / Grant Podcast Production 1.5 1500 Anthony Williams President Elect 0 0 Revd Iziar Landkford Board Member 0 0 Leon Petty Board Member 0 0 Dr Terrenia Fitts Board Member 0 0 Willie Ford Board Member / Caterer 0.50 2000 Elliot Kirk Board Member 0 0 X 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Paul Falade 401 Cypress Street Abilene TX 79601 3256727950 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 16 Insurance Telephone Internet Juneteenth Supplies Refreshments Form 990-EZ, Part V, Line 33 The Abilene Chamber of Commerce (HUB) received award for the Pilot Community Navigator Grant. Abilene Black Chamber of Commerce was one of the Spokes who administered the grant.