Business leaders gathered Thursday afternoon to celebrate a new initiative designed to support minority-owned businesses in the Jefferson City community.
The Minority Business Council, which officially launched earlier this year, is a collaboration between the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce and local partners. The group seeks to help minority-owned businesses succeed through strategic plans, resources, education and advocacy. Its programs include mentorships, access to capital and funding opportunities, networking events and educational sessions.
Members and supporters attended the new group's ribbon cutting at the chamber, touting the importance of a new support network for minority businesses.
Stallone Watson, owner of Crazy Fry's, and Jose Ramos, owner of J.C. Ramos-Nivel Up Services, touted the opportunity to help build a lasting legacy for the community and looked to its future. Both serve as co-chairs of the council.
"To get to this point and to be a part of the ribbon cutting means a lot. It's something that's concrete," Watson said. "Even after I'm finished here, this will still carry on and have a great impact on the community that we serve."
Ramos added: "The vision is to bring the community together, fundamentally and financially, to work together and support a new variety of different businesses. There are so many great businesses and people and opportunities, and Jefferson City feels like it's right in the middle of that. I feel this is a way for us to become a hub and ensure Jefferson City can grow and remain successful."
Lauren Carter, LU's small business development center director, also serves as the group's first chair.
The council was created as part of the chamber's strategic plan for the next few years, a pillar of which is a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Chamber President and CEO Gary Plummer said more than 70 businesses had signed up to be a part of the council since it officially launched in April, with further growth likely on the horizon.
"We're looking for ways we can partner with this group to meet their needs and introduce them to resources, information and contacts," Plummer said. "We've got a very strong board that built it from the ground up, and a lot of the credit should go to them and other strategic partners."
Ameren Missouri is a strategic partner in the initiative, with Capital Region Medical Center, Lincoln University and the Jefferson City Area Board of Realtors serving as strategic sponsors.
With ample support and plenty of interest from the community, Mayor Carrie Tergin said it was a welcome step for the city's business community.
"It's great to see everyone coming together to celebrate these minority-owned businesses and their employees, who are such an integral part of the success of our community," Tergin said. "It keeps it very vibrant to have such diverse backgrounds, and we're happy to support them. We want to get the word out and encourage people to be a part of this."