CBA Leaders Speak Out

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Chatham Business Association (CBA) executive director, Melinda Kelly, was one of the featured speakers at the CBA's September meeting on Tuesday morning. She is pictured here earlier this summer at Walgreens located at 86th and Cottage Grove when Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced 600 new jobs to Chicago. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)
Chatham Business Association (CBA) executive director, Melinda Kelly, was one of the featured speakers at the CBA's September meeting on Tuesday morning. She is pictured here earlier this summer at Walgreens located at 86th and Cottage Grove when Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced 600 new jobs to Chicago. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)

by Thelma Sardin

Chatham Business Association (CBA) president Marino Orlandi and executive director Melinda Kelly were featured speakers at the organizations September meeting on Tuesday morning.

Orlandi and Kelly both discussed ways in which the CBA has been a mainstay in Chatham for nearly 40 years.

The organization has been an advocate for local business owners during its long tenure in the community.

The CBA has done a lot in terms of overall advocacy, said Orlandi. He mentioned how he has pushed corporate responsibility encouraging businesses to give back to the community.

In addition, providing resources is another huge component of CBAs advocacy. Through its Tech Center located at the QBG Foundation, 806 E. 78th, community members and businesses are offered several workshops.

PNC Bank and Money Management Inc. have partnered to provide credit counseling sessions for CBA members. This effort helps proprietors keep their businesses financially fit.

The president also discussed how the organization strives to keep its members informed through active communication including e-mails, phone calls and mailings, etc. We have been very consistent as being a conduit for information. We are looking for ways to enhance that, he said. Orlandi added that CBA interns have helped the organization find new ways of reaching out to its membership.

Orlandi called Kelly a selfless individual because of her own CBA advocacy efforts.

According to Kelly, it is important that the economy is open to local businesses. It is so important that minority businesses participate in the global economy. Our economy as a nation is dependent on minority businesses getting access to capital, she said.

Kellys partnerships with city government, SSA #51 and other ventures are ways she ensures CBA members are obtaining the resources they need and deserve.

Moreover, Kelly said that Orlandi is interested in opportunities that are useful to the business owners. As executive director I get to travel with the [CBAs] Board of Directors quite a bit and I get to see other initiatives that they are involved in, she added.

On Friday, Sep. 16, the CBA will host its 39th Annual Awards Gala. The organization will be celebrating its many years of community service. The occasion will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanuel is the 2011 Honorary Chair and Mr. Michael Henry, External Affairs Manager for ComEd is the 2011 Gala Chair. Tickets can be purchased via the CBA website at CBAWorks.org or by calling 773.994.5006.

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