Minority business owners connect at Elkhart networking event
Event kicks off 8-month Black business networking series
ELKHART, Ind. (WNDU) - Minority business owners gathered in Elkhart to connect, share their stories and inspire each other on Thursday.
The event marked the kickoff of an eight-month Black business networking series hosted by 100 Black Sons.
Leaders said they want to connect businesses with key players in the community.
Organizers aim to address shared struggles
Robert Taylor, president of 100 Black Sons, said the goal is to bring business owners together to discuss challenges they face.
“To come together and talk about some of the issues they have in business, the struggles of getting loans, the struggles of connecting with other people that are like-minded in business, and put some of the concerns on the table, and hopefully together, these businesses can come up with a solution,” Taylor said.
Business owners hope to provide resources
One business that started three years ago is hoping to connect with other small businesses at the event and uplift them.
Sharlon and Anthony Coleman, owners of Coleman’s Counseling and Consulting LLC, said they want to learn about other businesses in the area.
“We just want to know what type of businesses are out there,” Anthony Coleman said. “In the next year or so, we want to be able to provide the needed resources for small businesses in the area.”
Chamber president cites entrepreneurship growth
Levon Johnson, president and CEO of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, said entrepreneurship is growing quickly and that he wants to see more minority businesses thrive in Michiana.
“Entrepreneurship is one of the fastest growing things here in this region and in the country. I’m very big on that our business community should reflect the community as a whole,” Johnson said. “Those opportunities to start a business, to grow a business, to be invested in is important, regardless of what community you come from.”
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