| Come celebrate National Women's Business Month by joining us at a community presentation focused on inspiring, connecting, and advancing Illinois women-owned businesses, future women business owners, and aspiring female entrepreneurs with business resources and opportunities offered across Illinois' entrepreneurial ecosystem. During this free, in-person resource presentation & conversation, we will also answer your questions. Connecting HER with Illinois Business Resources-Decatur is presented by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the MetroDecatur Black Chamber of Commerce, together with the support of entrepreneurial support organizations at our venue host, the MetroDecatur Black Chamber of Commerce. Attendees from all backgrounds and regions in Illinois are welcome to join us, too!
Check-in and Connecting from 1:00 - 1:30 PM Empowering HER with knowledge and tools from 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Welcome: Belynda F. Allen: Central Region Manager, Office of Regional Economic Development (RED) at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) | link
Melverta Wilkins: President, MetroDecatur Black Chamber of Commerce | link
Mirinda Rothrock: President, Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce | link
Presenters: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) | link
Belynda F. Allen: Central Region Manager, Illinois Office of Regional Economic Development (RED) at DCEO (Illinois' economic development regional liaison to central Illinois) | link Belynda will provide an overview of DCEO’s key programs and services, including from the Regional Economic Development team at DCEO, for women at different business stage levels. Michelle Lura White: Women’s Business Development Manager (Illinois' liaison to the women's entrepreneurial ecosystem) , Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment (OE3) at DCEO | link Michelle will provide an overview of business resources offered by cross-sector organizations, including from the Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) at DCEO.
The Illinois Small Business Development Center for Central Illinois (IL SBDC for Central IL) | link Lashonda Fitch: Advisor Lashonda will provide an overview of how the IL SBDC provides at no cost (free), 1:1, and confidential business advising to women entrepreneurs from all business stage levels, industries, revenue levels, etc., in addition to providing business coaching to women who are aspiring entrepreneurs.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)-Illinois District Office | link Charles "Charlie" White: Lender Relations Specialist, Springfield Illinois Branch Office Charlie will provide an overview of the SBA’s key programs and tools for women-owned businesses including funding programs.
Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) | link Cynthia J. Johnson: Director, Established Business Services Cynthia will provide an overview of certifications, in particular, the Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification.
Women Employed (WE) | link Shelby Flores: Events & Volunteer Manager and Mary Kay Devine: Chief of Staff Shelby and Mary Kay will provide an overview of the Women's Entrepreneurship Hub, which is a free tool to connect and support women who are thinking about starting a business, women who recently started a business, and for women managing their businesses.
Any questions regarding this event? Feel free to contact:
Belynda F. Allen: Central Region Manager, Illinois Office of Regional Economic Development (RED) at DCEO | link belynda.allen@illinois.gov | 217.986.0803
Melverta Wilkins: President, MetroDecatur Black Chamber of Commerce | link melvertawilkins@gmail.com
Mirinda Rothrock: President, Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce | link mirinda.rothrock@decaturchamber.com
Michelle Lura White: Women’s Business Development Manager, Illinois Office of Equity Economic and Empowerment (OE3) at DCEO | link michelle.white@illinois.gov | 872.272.0094
We look forward to you joining us!
By registering to attend this event, you agree to receive future email updates from the hosts/presenting organizations/supporters. You can opt out any time by clicking the unsubscribe button or sending us an email message at CEO.OMEE@illinois.gov. By registering for this event, you also give permission to be photographed at any activity in connection with this event. You hereby consent to DCEO’s unrestricted and royalty-free use, in future promotional material or for other purposes in supporting Illinois women-owned businesses and future women entrepreneurs, of any photographs created in connection with my participation in the event. Thank you, and we look forward to connecting you with resources!
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