African American Business Council Meeting

The vision of the African American Business Council is to strategically position black businesses for inclusion and success through opportunity, education, exposure, entrepreneurship, economic development, and public policy advocacy. We are committed to leading, educating, and advocating to grow African-American-owned businesses and create a thriving African American middle class in Wilmington.

The Wilmington Chamber’s African American Business Council theme in 2023 is Moving Your Business Forward with Education towards Growth.

Our co-chairs have outlined the following schedule of meetings and topics for 2023 below. 

• January 18: Goal Setting
• February 15: Tax Season Prep
• March TBD: Intentional Collisions
• April 19: Marketing and Advertising
• May 17: Prioritizing and Professionalism
• June TBD: Intentional Collisions
• July TBD: Goal Setting Check In
• August 16: Failing Forward
• September 20: 5 Cs of Credit
• October 3: Intentional Collisions
• November 15: Holiday Bazaar
• December TBD: Mental Health & Wellness 

11:30am-12:00pm - Bring your own lunch; networking and connecting
12:00-1:00pm - Introductions, Guest Speaker, Chamber Announcements

JANUARY
Frequently, as small business owners, there is no time to plan, only time to react. In this first meeting of 2023 for the AABC, Sheri will take 20 minutes to engage and take the audience through an exercise in crafting three SMART goals that are effective, obtainable, and attainable. Using approaches shared within the 12-week year, Sheri will help provide an understanding of how goal setting at the start of the year can be successful for a small business owner, professionally and personally. Additionally, Melissa Hartzell, Regional Manager for Disaster Preparedness of the American Red Cross of the Cape Fear Area will also take 20 minutes to share an amazing resource for small businesses, readyrating.org, as well as potential collaborative opportunities. Regional Sickle Cell Account Manager, Allen Mason, will also highlight the need for a diverse blood supply and provide contact information for anyone who wants to host a blood drive this year.

 
Sheri Shaw is the Assistant Dean for Student Success and Academic Advising for the College of Health and Human Services at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Sheri moderates the podcast "Black Woman Working...," creating a safe space for authentic conversations shared by black women working through personal and professional goals, setbacks, and successes. Sheri also manages sherinicole.co with a focus on professional coaching, talent development, and academic consulting.

Open to the public. ALL chamber members AND nonmembers are invited to attend this meeting.