After one year on the job, it gives me pleasure to share our inaugural newsletter entitled “Wealth Journey”. Each month BBA members and stakeholders will receive updates on our work, specifically the progress we’re making on our new strategic vision, Memphis Restart. Readers can also expect a recap of previous months highlights as well as upcoming events and opportunities to engage with the BBA. As I often state, economic development is not the panacea for economic mobility. Unless we have increased participation in high-paying careers, public and private contracting, homeownership, and ultimately, wealth creation – Memphis will remain to stagnate. Our mission is to ensure stagnation is our past, not our
future. Join us on the Wealth Journey by sharing this newsletter with your respective community and
within your spheres of influence. Together, we can be a model city for progression and success as well
as a national best practice for other communities to follow. |
Alisha Williamson Strategic Projects Administrator |
Ernest Strickland CEO & President |
Chasisty Jones Executive Office Manager |
WELCOME TO THE GROWTH ZONE |
Your BBA membership represents an investment in you, your business, and the community! BBA is excited to announce the launch of our new members-only site, hosted by Growth Zone! Some of the myriad ways members can benefit from the members-only portal include the ability to, view and get invites to member-only events, promote your business with other members for networking, and a personalized member listing page just to name a few of the benefits! To help small businesses, for a limited time BBA joining fees have been waived! Click here to join now. |
Marvell Mitchel Director of the City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity & Compliance. |
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland hit the ball out of the park with the naming of Marvell Mitchell as the head of the Office of Business Diversity and Compliance (OBDC). Director Mitchell embodies high-level entrepreneurship wrapped in corporate executive presence. He brings practical business understanding, passion, proven leadership, and an impressive resume of business successes. BBA is a partner organization, that works closely with Director Mitchell. Not only do we share proximity by being located in the Entrepreneur Network Center, but we share the vision of growing the amount of revenue received by Black-owned businesses in the Memphis market. It is a joy to work with Director Mitchell and we look forward to helping him become successful in his new role. |
Ms. Barbara Jackson is the owner of O’ Taste and See Quiches and Pies located in the Whitehaven area of Memphis, TN. In the 2nd grade, she received an Easy-Bake-Oven, she knew then she wanted to be a business owner. One Sunday, she opened her bible, and it read Psalm 34:8: "Taste and see that the Lord is good", she knew that would be the name of her business. One of her best sellers is her Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Chess pie! Ms. Jackson has been perfecting her recipes for the last 11 years. Her mother played a large role in her journey. Ms. Jackson’s tasty treats can be found at The Rendezvous Restaurant and Ms. Cordelia’s in Harbor Town. She is grateful, she is living her dream! Earlier this year Ms. Jackson was awarded a grant from The Back Black Grant, which will help her continue to expand and grow O’ Taste and See. Ms. Jackson credits her success to God, her mother, her passion for baking, and being in the right place at the right time! The next time you are in Whitehaven stop by O’ Taste and See! |
Barbara Jackson O'Taste and See Quiches and Pies |
BBA Memphis now offers more ways to join, connect and grow with our organization — with more benefits too! If you are looking to grow your business with optimal support and the right connections, BBA Memphis offers monthly business events, strategic partnerships, networking and professional development opportunities, and ways to get involved in the community. According to Fast Company, Memphis was cited as the top choice among black entrepreneurs as the place to open a small business in 2018. BBA Memphis is here to serve as a resource, network and support system, especially for small black business owners in the MidSouth. |
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