CBA Hosts Summer Mix ‘N Mingle at the Southern Shore Yacht Club
The Chatham Business Association (CBA) hosted its quarterly Mix ‘N Mingle at the Southern Shore Yacht Club, 6401 S. Richard Dr., last Thursday evening. The gathering was sponsored by CBA members, President’s Lounge night club, Lifesavers Portable Toilets and Special Service Area #51.
CBA’s Mix ‘N Mingles are designed to encourage its membership to do business within the CBA network and to also provide opportunities for prospective members to learn about its many services and benefits.
“It’s important to do a Mix ‘N Mingle because it’s always important to put a face to the people you do business with, to know the services that are available, and gatherings around the table reenergize the soul,” said CBA Executive Director Melinda Kelly. “Chatham Business Association is a blessed organization because we have the privilege of representing a very savvy group of business owners and policy makers. We really like mixing good food, good atmosphere with entrepreneurs and good company.”
Mix ‘N Mingle events occur quarterly to offer CBA members, partners, and affiliates the opportunity to celebrate successes and to discuss challenges Kelly explained.
“[CBA] is a voice, it empowers us to be able to speak among the masses when we want the city to hear us we have power behind us, we’re not just individuals. [CBA] does a tremendous job working with the community,” said Melvin Brooks, President, The President’s Lounge. “I’ve been a CBA member for over five years and at the last [Mix ‘N Mingle], PNC Bank sponsored it, and so me and one of my acquaintances, Dwayne A. Smith, decided why don’t we bring it home and sponsor it ourselves.”
Brooks also recounted that it was CBA that originally sought him out to become a member and since joining he has recognized the value of CBA’s programs and initiatives.
“I really enjoy the Mix ‘N Mingle, it gives an opportunity to interact with folks socially that we otherwise would not,” said Manager of Life Savers Portable Toilets, Dwayne A. Smith, a CBA member for over 10 years and a Southern Shore Yacht Club member. “My business is largely a kind of word-of-mouth business; I am the only African American owner and operator of a portable toilets company in the state so the more contacts I make, the more business contacts I make.”
At the event's conclusion, Kelly along with several members of the CBA executive board recognized notable CBA staff members, member businesses and partners who have contributed to the lasting success of CBA.
“[CBA is] showing the people in the community how to build a better structure for themselves,” said Vice Commodore of the Southern Shore Yacht Club, Dwayne Bigby.
Bigby, a Southern Shore Yacht Club member for 27 years, stated that he fully supported CBA having its Mix ‘N Mingle at the Southern Shore Yacht Club because of “what it does for the community”.
“This is a 100 year old club, we’ve been boating a long time and it’s a way of life for us now, we enjoy it, it’s this quiet little area down in the South Shore that people never really know about,” said Bigby.
For more information about the Southern Shore Yacht Club call (773) 752-9686. For additional information on CBA, visit cbaworks.org.
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