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Last week, the Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator launched a new equity capital fund to support business acquisitions and growth capital for minority entrepreneurs.
The fund, Minority Business Accelerator Fund I, is aimed at creating larger-scale minority-owned businesses through mergers and acquisitions. With its unique structure and focus, it will be one of the only funds of its kind in the country. The fund's objective is to catalyze the creation and growth of larger-scale minority-owned businesses. These investments will enable entrepreneurs of color to participate equitably in what is expected to be a trillion-dollar marketplace of mainstream small- to mid-sized businesses seeking an “exit” or sale over the next ten years.
In addition to providing investment capital in support of business acquisitions, the MBA Fund I expects to provide direct equity investments in existing high-growth, minority-owned businesses that require a significant cash infusion to scale to higher levels. Anticipated uses of capital include but are not limited to investments in new technology and systems, launching new complementary product and service lines, “pivoting” to related high-growth markets, and investments in human capital and plant and equipment infrastructure.
The initial catalytic investors for the MBA Fund I include Fifth Third Bank, First Financial Bank, Bank of America, altafiber (formerly Cincinnati Bell), and Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Learn more at mbafund1.com.
Jill Meyer
CEO
Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
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We Are Making Black History
Our #MakingBlackHistory celebration, now in its fifth year, recognizes seven Black leaders living and working in our region creating legacies today. These are leaders who go the extra mile for their community, excel in their respective fields, and open doors for the future leaders coming up behind them.
Meet the 2023 We are Making Black History honorees:
- Claudia M. Abercrumbie
- Derrick Braziel
- Christie Kuhns
- Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney
- Rosemary Oglesby-Henry
- Liza Smitherman
- Marcus Thompson
Learn more at wearemakingblackhistory.com |
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REALM Cincinnati | Winter Issue
Expanding and relocating businesses helped the region add more than 6,000 jobs in 2022 in emerging industries, plus the benefits of employee-owned companies and merging nonprofits and an interview with new U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman.
Read the Winter Issue | View Past Issues |
Open Leadership Center Applications
Currently, the Leadership Center is accepting applications for three premier leadership development programs:
Building Cultural Competence is a six-session program from the Leadership Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber. It is a leadership development program that equips you with the skills to build bridges across the cultural, political, and social divides in our region and our country. This fosters a network of individuals, companies, and groups who serve as champions of change in our communities. Learn more and apply
Cincy LEAD is a five-session program from the Leadership Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber. It was created to provide a roundtable experience within the context of a full leadership development program at an affordable cost for price-conscious leaders and organizations. Learn more and apply | View the Cincy Lead experience
WE Ascend is a seven-session program from the Leadership Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber. It provides a small group coaching experience for 6-8 BIPOC women executives taking on new challenges in their organization or who have just been promoted or are seeking promotion. Learn more and apply | View the WE Ascend experience |
Asian Food Fest Returns to Cincinnati April 29-30!
Asian Food Fest, produced by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber in partnership with the Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati, returns Saturday, April 29, 11a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, April 30, 11a.m.-8 p.m., at the Court Street Plaza in Downtown Cincinnati.
Celebrating its 12th year, fans of Asian Food Fest will enjoy a mouthwatering tour of Asian foods, in the form of small plates, priced from $2-$10. Attendees can also expect live entertainment, local craft and Asian beer, fun family activities, and more. The event is free and open to the public. Applications for food vendors are now open. |
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Monthly Member Briefing | Keynote: Mark Clement, President, TriHealth
February 2, 2023 | 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
*Virtual Event
Join us virtually at our next Monthly Member Briefing on Thursday, February 2nd at 8 a.m. with keynote speaker Mark Clement, President of TriHealth.
Following our keynote and Q&A, you'll hear from chamber member showcase companies and the program will conclude with updates from a featured Chamber partner and a member of the Cincinnati Chamber team.
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Demystifying MBE High Growth Business Strategies, Session 4
February 7, 2023 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
*Virtual Event
Please join the Minority Business Accelerator for part four of this virtual event series focused on proven best practices for small business owners in preparation of business financials and supporting documentation.
The guest speaker will be Karl Daniels, Assistant Vice President, Business Banking at PNC Bank.
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Greater Cincinnati Safety Council
February 8, 2023 | 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Greater Cincinnati Safety Council meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month. After two years of virtual programming, the Greater Cincinnati Safety Council has returned to in-person meetings at Ensemble Health Partners, 11517 Reed Hartman Hwy, Blue Ash, OH 45241.
This month's session will focus on Post COVID OSHA.
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Diversity in STEM | Session III: Girls in STEM & the Educational Corridor
February 9, 2023 | 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
This quarterly event series is a partnership between the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber, Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA, The Gaskins Foundation, and Apprenti Cincinnati. The goal of the series is to showcase the need to bridge the diversity gap in STEM education and careers – as well as initiatives and available resources supporting these efforts – to continue building our region for the future.
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Member Benefits 101
February 23, 2023 | 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Member Benefits 101 is the perfect opportunity for all types of businesses to learn about Chamber membership, how to get connected to your network of fellow Chamber members, and how to get engaged with the Chamber offerings that best benefit you and your business.
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Alumni Event | Breakfast Speed Networking
March 8, 2023 | 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Join us for coffee, breakfast (actual eggs and bacon and such and not just bagels!), and some fun speed networking with fellow Chamber alumni. The day will be facilitated by Gina Bonar of 5 Whys Marketing LLC.
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Regional Government Day
March 9, 2023 | 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Connect with elected officials and administrators from across the Cincinnati region and communicate your business' priorities.
At this half-day event, Chamber members can expect to hear from policy leaders about issues impacting their businesses, such as budgets, transportation, inclusion policies, housing and growth issues, regional collaboration, economic development and more.
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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
City of Immigrants: The growth of Cincinnati and other cities depends on immigration
Business Courier names Uma Kotagal, 2020 Great Living Cincinnatian, 2023 Lifetime Health Care Hero
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center celebrates Black History Month | Sunday, February 19 enjoy free admission through the Fifth Third Community Days. |
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