A new collaborative effort between local leaders and companies to bolster minority businesses received plenty of support when it officially kicked off this weekend.
Dozens gathered at the Studio on East Dunklin for the launch of the Minority Business Council, a joint effort between the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln University and local businesses.
The new group is meant to help minority businesses certify, develop strategic plans, connect with resources, educate and empower, and advocate for growth opportunities.
The council is expected to hold dynamic business educational sessions, networking events, mentorship programs and access to capital and competitive funding opportunities.
Though affiliated with the chamber, the council is expected to require numerous outside partnerships with public and private entities.
"We worked on a strategic plan at the chamber in 2021. And one of the five strategic goals that became a pillar of that plan for the next three years was diversity, equity and inclusion," said Gary Plummer, chamber president and CEO. "We just felt like a great place to start would be the creation of a minority business council that would also provide resources to women-owned businesses, as well and that we utilize that group to try to address the specific needs of women and minority business owners."
The project is meant to further support the chamber's mission of making a difference for minority businesses in the area, he said. Development of the new initiative was a joint effort between several chamber members who came together to conceive the idea.
Lauren Carter, director of the Missouri Small Business Development Center at LU, said the interest from the community and the event's turnout were promising signs for the future of the project.
"I love the entrepreneurs and small-business owners in the area that came out to learn about what it is we do, but also be a part of the council. We have a good mayor for small-business owners, and she was just the perfect person to come in and offer support on behalf of the city and to let us know that any resources that they have," Carter said. "We've got to make an impact and for sure in the community, because again, small-business owners were the backbone of the economy. So this is a big win for Jefferson City."
Several business owners involved in the initiative addressed the gathering Friday evening, touting the new council as an opportunity to work together for a better tomorrow.
"When you ask yourself, 'Why should I try this council,' I'll say to you, my friends, because we had you in mind," Crazy Fry's owner Stallone Watson said. "We had your problems and your pain, your vision and dreams and inspiration in mind. So thank you, thank you to each and every one of you, because this is a history in the making. This is the first minority business council in Jefferson City, Missouri. And this is ground zero for us."
Local officials were also on hand for the event, which Rep. Dave Griffith, R-Jefferson City, said was an essential networking opportunity.
"We've got to show our community that we do support them, and we want to wish them the very best," Griffith said. "I think that it's incumbent upon all of us, especially elected officials, to pursue any way that we can provide resources wherever we can."
"We welcome all the diversity that we have and these businesses that we're talking about," Mayor Carrie Tergin said. "Thank you to the chamber for your efforts and all of you here represented on behalf of the City of Jefferson. We will work together to further this in any way we can."