2022 Will County Black Business and Entrepreneurship Conference

African American Business Association

AABA's 
2022 Will County Black Business and Entrepreneurship Conference
Theme: “The Art of Entrepreneurship”

National Hook-Up of Black Women Joliet Chapter

AABA
Presents
2022 Will County Black Business and Entrepreneurship Conference

Theme: “The Art of Entrepreneurship” 

November 11, 2022 – 6pm to 9pm 
November 12, 2022 – 9am to 2pm 

Registration Investment: $50 
Includes:
Conference Program 
Breakfast and Lunch Ticket 
Sessions and Conference Material 

November 11, 2022

Networking Night:
Bring your Business Cards and your best elevator pitch
Heavy Hors d’oeuvres

The Art of Entrepreneurship Panel: 
“Advancing Business Capacity for Economic and Social Change” 

Panelist: 

Matthew Simpson, African American Business Development Manager, IL. DCEO
Ronald Milsap, Director, Industry Vertical Team, BMO Harris Bank 
Melissa Duff-Brown, Director of Strategy, Joseph Business Services 
Donnie F. Chestnutt, Mission Advancement Director, Greater Joliet YMCA 


Moderator: 
Natalie Coleman 
CEO, After The Peanut

Sat. November 12, 2022

Continental Breakfast 
Breakout Sessions
Full Lunch 

Luncheon Keynote Speaker: 
Dr. Boyce Watkins 
Scholar, Author, Producer, Writer 

Luncheon Session entitled: 

“Building Sustainability through Collaboration within Our Underrepresented Business Community” 

(5) Breakout Sessions Include: 
Setting Your Business Up for Success: Structure, Organization and Certification
Facilitators: 
Desiree M. Otkins, CEO of Dynamix Consulting LLC
Stephanie Bonner, Owner of SEE Consulting 

ABC’s of Procurement and Grant funding Opportunities 
Facilitator: 
Matthew J. Simpson
African American Business Development Manager
Office of Minority Economic Empowerment
Illinois Department of Commerce &amp; Economic Opportunity


Finances: Building and Balancing Business Cash Flows

Facilitator: 
Ronald Milsap 
Director, Industry Vertical Team 
BMO Harris Bank 

Information Technology: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Communication Post Pandemic 

Facilitator: 
James R. Farrell, MS
Chief Information Officer 
 Village of Bolingbrook 



Marketing and Sales: Building a Profitable Brand and Sales Cultural 

Facilitator: 
Melissa Duff-Brown 
Director of Strategy
Joseph Business Services


For questions, please call AABA at 779-707-0778 or you can also email us at aabaemail@gmail.com. You can also visit our website at aabaconnect.org


Breakout Sessions Details
Setting Your Business Up for Success: Structure, Organization and Certification 
Facilitators: 
Desiree M. Otkins, CEO of Dynamix Consulting LLC
Stephanie Bonner, Owner of SEE Consulting 

Session Description: 
In this session, participants will learn how to ensure that their business is setup for success. They will learn the various types of business structures and how to apply it to your business. Learn about the certification process and how businesses can expand their businesses through the certification process and all it entails. Further, learn successful best practices that you need to have in place in order to be in the best position of business success. 

ABC’s of Procurement and Grant funding Opportunities 
Facilitator: 
Matthew J. Simpson
Matthew Simpson, African American Business Development Manager, IL. DCEO

Session Description: 
In this session, participants will learn the importance of achieving and positioning for procurement opportunities. They will also learn about the process and best practices when looking for procurement opportunities. Participants will learn how to seek for grants and what are best practices that will help businesses win. Lastly, Participants will learn about current grant opportunities available to apply for now.

Finances: Building and Balancing Business Cash Flows

Facilitator: 
Ronald Milsap 
Director, Industry Vertical Team 
BMO Harris Bank 

Session Description: 
In this session, participants will learn the basics of financial statements and why financial statements are so important. Along with how to gauge the financial health of their business and how to make smart financial decisions. Participants will learn how to effectively monitor and compare financial results to other industry peers.

Information Technology: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Communication Post Pandemic 

Facilitator: 
James R. Farrell, MS
Chief Information Officer 
Village of Bolingbrook 

Session Description: 
In this session, participants will learn the importance of Information Technology. Participants will learn the importance of having a robust and cost effective I.T. infrastructure that will set you apart from your competitors. Participants will learn best practices for building meaningful communication strategies for internal and external use. They will also learn how to leverage innovation in technology to build a sustainable post pandemic company. Lastly, participants will learn about various systems that are needed to be in place in order to compliment a strong I.T. infrastructure.
 
Marketing and Sales: Building a Profitable Brand and Sales Cultural 

Facilitator: 

Melissa Duff-Brown 
Director of Strategy
Joseph Business Services

Session Description: 
In this session, participants will learn the basics of branding and how to identify which products and customers promise to be the most profitable. Participants will also learn which markets have the greatest potential for growth and how to best understand competition. They will also touch upon effective ways to reach customers and improve sales while improving the sales culture.

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