On Thursday evening, Feb. 16, the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce launched a second cohort of entrepreneurship training programs at the Savannah River Brewing Co. near downtown Augusta.
Since its start in 2017, the Greater Black Chamber of Commerce has prioritized black and minority businesses as they face several high barriers to success with educational workshops, pitch contests and networking opportunities.
“We are doing magnificent things … we’re one of the fastest black growing black chambers in the CSRA,” said President and Co-founder of the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce Ronic West. “We have trained 20+ businesses in the last year and a half … not only do we work with our chamber in the CSRA, but we also work with other chambers in the southeast, and in the nation.”
With the first cohort being launched in 2021, a press release from the chamber said, “the program will provide entrepreneurs and small business owners of color with needed training and capital to be successful in an ever-changing business world.”
As a result of a partnership with Bank of America’s charity foundation, $125,000 has been donated to support the second cohort, and this will lead to more minority businesses being supported by a fellow community of other entrepreneurs.
“We want to make sure our community is thriving, and we do that by investing back into the community through housing, jobs, small businesses and health issues,” said Senior Vice President and Augusta-Aiken Market Executive Marissa Smith. “I think it’s important to support the small businesses and the local businesses, because they are the backbone to our community.”
The intensive training program will include four weeks of classes covering a variety of topics, such as: administration, skills building, strategy and planning; then another six weeks will be spent on coaching and mentorship from experts throughout the Southeast. This new training program was added to the chamber’s roster of programs to aid with pandemic recovery.
Every year, after completing the program, the 25 minority small business owners who participate will receive a direct grant of $3,000 for start-up or other business costs, including: licenses, permits and registrations.
Past participant of the Entrepreneurship Training Program Tanya Barnhill, who also owns TM Consultants, said she enjoyed the program because it encouraged her to network and meet new people.
“I work from home with my business, so there were some weeks and months where I was only going out to get the mail,” she said. “I think the technology has changed; the whole business world has changed … the internet and social media is here. It’s not going to change, it’s just going to expand. Joining groups such as this helps you keep on task, and keeps you sharp when honing those skills.”
Owner of the Brunch House Asian Brown said he met several “great people” from the program, and could not recommend it enough to those who are looking for a way to network for their business. For him, the biggest takeaway was being educated on the complicated tax information, and figuring out how to tackle that challenge.
“It’s important to keep reaching out to the community and bringing other people in,” he said. “There’s a lot of great things and resources out there that other business owners need to know about that can greatly improve their business.”
To join the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce or sign-up for their upcoming online orientation, visit GABCfund.org
Virtual orientation sessions will occur on Tuesday, Feb. 21, and Thursday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m., and will include relevant information for those looking to be a successful business owner.
