African Small Business Expo Held at Truman College

Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, October 30, 2013

BAPC African Expo attendees visit vendor display tables to gather information.
BAPC African Expo attendees visit vendor display tables to gather information. Photo by Lee Edwards.

On Saturday, Harry Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave and the City of Chicago’s Dept. of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP), hosted a free, African Small Business Expo (ASBE) which was sponsored by Western Union, Truman College and the Continental African Chamber of Commerce.

The ASBE is the fourth event of its kind this year. BACP has also recently produced Latino, Asian and Polish business expos.

“Really, it’s the city’s way of rolling out the red carpet for small businesses so that they know all the resources that are available. Our ultimate goal is for them to succeed,” said Roxanne Nava, Chief Small Business Operator at the City of Chicago.

“It was really about listening to our businesses about what they wanted and really to cater to their needs. “

Nava has a decade of experience supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs at the state government level. She is the former Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The ASBE featured 32 exhibitors from notable city and state agencies such as: the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois Secretary of State – Business Service Division, City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services, and City of Chicago Department of Public Health to name a few.

Entrepreneurs and small business owners were given resources, tips and advice on:

· How to finance a small business

· How to start the licensing process

· How to understand and comply with tax laws and other legal requirements

· Business planning and counseling

· Where to connect with chambers of commerce and other resources

· Business education

· Networking opportunities

“I wish everybody would take advantage of [the] different expos here to get assistance with their businesses,” said David Olupitan, founder of Continental African Chamber of Commerce U.S.A. “Our objective is to support, create and keep supporting African American businesses in the City of Chicago. We’ve been around for about 32 years. We promote not only domestic but international business.”

“Being a teacher, any sort of knowledge that you can get about anything is always positive,” said Willie Morris, a small independent business owner and teacher at Harry Truman College.

Morris came to the ASBE to network with other businesses and organizations in Chicago.

“I think even for people who don’t own a business, coming here and talking to a few people and seeing what your options may be available to them may help them,” he said.

For more information on the City of Chicago’s Dept. of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, visit http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bacp.html.

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