The U.S. Small Business Administration and the National Black Justice Coalition, a Washington, D.C.-based civil rights organization dedicated to empowering black LGBT people,and ending racism and homophobia, will host an “economic empowerment” conference next week at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis hotel.
The conference, titled “Many Faces One Dream,” is the second stop on a 13 city tour and is focused on new and existing businesses development in minority communities.
Terri Denison, district director for the Georgia Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, says that the conference will cover a wide range of business-oriented topics.
“The SBA’s goal has always been to help small business,” Denison said today by phone. “We want to be inclusive of all small businesses. One group we could do a better job of reaching out to is the LGBT community. That’s a goal we shared with our event cosponsor the National Black Justice Coalition.”
Among the many topics to be covered during the two-day event are business planning, obtaining capital and marketing. The event carries a $25 fee and participants must pre-register with the National Black Justice Coalition.
The conference kicks off Monday morning with an introduction from NBJC Executive Director Sharon Lettman-Hicks. Denison will also address the attendees. A member of the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors is also scheduled to speak.
U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Field Operations Deputy Associate Administrator Eugene Cornelius is slated to deliver the conference keynote address.
The conference continues Tuesday with a half-day of scheduled events, including a townhall discussion.
The event, Denison says, is expected to draw anywhere between 100 and 150 participants, Denison said.
“The commitment has always been there, but we are taking this step to show we are available,” Denison added. “This will be an initial or reinvigoration step that will allow us to continue with other.”
For more information on the conference, or to register, please visit http://nbjc.org/many-faces-one-dream-registration
Top photo: Terri Denison, district director for the Georgia Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (courtesy photo)