Tuesday, January 10, 2012
During season of sharing and giving, Black Chamber also celebrates Lansing business
Lansing’s Black Chamber of Commerce will shine its bright holiday lighting on its members this December.
Following a lead set by First Lady Michelle Obama, Lansing’s Black Chamber of Commerce will shine a spotlight on businesses, giving to the hungry or children and sharing a business product or service.
In the month of December, it is asking members to bring a new: unwrapped toy or book, which will go toChannel 6 WLNS for Highfields… -or- a business product or service certificate to donate at the Holiday celebration as a door prize for a fellow member if they do not celebrate by giving toys.
The Dec. 19 celebration (6-8:30 p.m.), for members only, will be held at ZOE Life Spa & Salon at Millennium #170 in Lansing.
At its general meeting on Dec.12 (6-8 p.m.), members are being challenged to bring a non-perishable food item/canned good for us to donate to the food bank. All general meetings are at theBreadHouse/Bethlehem Temple 1518 S. Washington Ave., Lansing.
The Lansing Black Chamber of Commerce is part of a statewide organization, The Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, and a national network of African American businesses and black chambers through the U. S. Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
ReShane and Steve Lonzo, owners of DRM International Learning Center – serve on the Chamber’s membership committee.
DRM, ILC is an influential healthcare education facilitator in Lansing. It provides effective classroom instruction in high demand healthcare fields and community courses that advance and lead to sustainable employment and community service.
“There are many benefits of being member of the Lansing Black Chamber of Commerce and when we were approached about being Charter/Founding Members, we jumped at the opportunity to be part of something that would not only help us grow our business, but so that we could be a voice for the community of African American owned businesses,“ explained Re’Shane Lonzo. “Knowing that there are organizations such as the Lansing Black Chamber of Commerce, out here to assist in creating a level playing field for minority owned businesses is wonderful!”
In 2007, there were approximately 1.9 million African American businesses in the United States that generated $138 billion in gross receipts, employed 921,000 workers and that the African American population had an estimated buying power of about $910 Billion in 2009.
“That is astounding! Though there are many benefits, one of greatest benefits of being a member of the Lansing Black Chamber of Commerce is simply the camaraderie of coming together, on one-accord to advocate for economic empowerment & sustaining African American businesses,” Re’Shane said.
The first year’s efforts of Lansing’s Black Chamber of Commerce will focus on creating more local charters, and then forming a statewide political action committee from which a legislative agenda, lobbying efforts and economic development initiatives can be developed.
For more information about the Lansing Black Chamber of Commerce visithttp://www.lansingblackchamber.com. and/or call or fax the Lansing Black Chamber at 1-517-376-3400.
“The Chamber wants to ensure that we have access to capital and that the playing field is leveled by helping their members gain access to business opportunities in the private and public sectors and this is exactly what we need,” Lonzo concludes.
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