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The business says:
Sixteen entrepreneurs from a pool of over 150 applicants selected for six-month program designed to help their companies achieve scale, create jobs and sustain wealth
CHICAGO, IL (October 3, 2007)-Cheryle R. Jackson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, marked her first anniversary at the helm of the Chicago Urban League with the introduction of nextONE, the latest milestone of the League's projectNEXT economic development initiative. nextONE, a program of the League's Entrepreneurship Center, is an intense, six-month program designed to help its clients' businesses grow, achieve scale, create jobs and sustain wealth. Sixteen local businesses have been selected from more than 150 applicants as the first nextONE clients. Jackson introduced the program and presented the first clients at a luncheon today at the Metropolitan Club in Sears Tower.
"When I became President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League last year, I made a commitment to focus on economic empowerment as a way to drive social change in our communities," Jackson said. "In one year we shifted from social services to economic development; presented a powerful study on the economic impact of the 2016 Olympic Games, and opened an Entrepreneurship Center that, in just ninety days, touched over 200 of Chicago's black-owned businesses. Today's debut of the nextONE program is another example of how the League, under the leadership of its board, is delivering on its promises. The entrepreneurs in this one-of-a-kind program have a golden opportunity before them to not only grow their businesses but also become the tipping point in driving the next phase of the civil rights movement - economic empowerment."
The nextONE program, which the League will offer each year, serves existing African American businesses in the Chicago area. With a focus on companies that generate revenues between $100,000 and $5 million (particularly service, retail and construction firms) nextONE offers in-depth, high-touch business counseling and technical assistance.
nextONE clients will receive dedicated financial planning and management resources, industry specific business coaching from executive coaches and peers, marketing services and new client development assistance, and access to alumni network resources. The aim of the program is to provide business owners with a toolkit for growth and value creation. Industry experts will provide services to the clients valued at approximately $500,000.
Jim Reynolds, Chairman and CEO of Loop Capital Markets and Chair of the Chicago Urban League Board of Directors, delivered the keynote address at today's announcement and motivated the nextONE class to take full advantage of the program and the opportunity it offers for long-term success.
"Each of you has the chance to quickly and smartly accelerate the performance of your business through the nextONE program," Reynolds said. "You've already proven yourselves as strong, stable businesses. We are here to give you the tools necessary to expand, hire more employees, and acquire more capital for your companies. We look forward to taking this economic empowerment journey with you."
The sixteen companies in the premiere nextONE class include companies in the construction, service and retail industries.
The nextONE clients for 2007 are:
* BDC Capital Enterprises-Byron Collins, President
* BT Express Trucking-Paula Tillman, President
* Buford Law Office, LLC-Andrea Buford, Managing Member
* Chatham Food Center-Leonard Harris, President
* Chicagoland Foods-Michael Dice, Sales Manager
* Coleman Development Corporation-Lester Coleman, President
* Creative Events Solutions, Inc.-Twyler Jenkins, President
* Curves of Woodlawn-Leah McGregory, President
* D & S Midwest Construction-Danton Fielder, CEO
* Danielle Ashley Communications-Tracey Alston, President and CEO
* J. Stone & Associates-Joycelynn Stone, President
* Revere Development-Lee Reid, Jr. , President
* Sensual Steps, Inc-Nicole Jones, President
* TEFL Institute-Ti Ron Gibbs, President
* Thomas Mechanical Corporation-Leona Thomas, President
* Ujamaa Construction-Jimmy Akintonde, President
The Chicago Urban League nextONE program will accept applicants for the 2008 class early next year. Business owners interested in applying to the unique program can contact the Chicago Urban League Entrepreneurship Center at 773-285-5800 or visit the Chicago Urban League website at www.thechicagourbanleague.org.
The Chicago Urban League Entrepreneurship Center operates in partnership with the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. The Center works to strengthen, grow and expand the number of minority-owned businesses with a focus on African Americans. The Center takes a comprehensive approach to growing companies in service, retail franchise and construction businesses, serving both purchasing organizations and minority-owned business clients.
The Chicago Urban League Entrepreneurship Center is supported by the generosity of BP (major projectNEXT sponsor), Chase (Retail Cohort sponsor), and Fifth Third Bank (Construction Cohort sponsor).
About the Chicago Urban League
Established in 1916, the Chicago Urban League is a civil rights organization that empowers and inspires individuals to reach and exceed their economic potential. The League focuses on growing Chicago's African American workforce and business community. For more information about the Chicago Urban League visit www.thechicagourbanleague.org.
About the Kellogg School of Management
The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University was founded in 1908 and is widely recognized as a global leader in management education. The school, located just outside of Chicago, is home to a renowned, research-based faculty and MBA students from around the globe. The Kellogg School's academic portfolio includes the Full-Time, Part-Time and Executive MBA Programs and the nondegree Executive Education Program. The school offers three joint-degree programs: the JD-MBA, MD-MBA and the Master of Management and Manufacturing (MBA-MEM). Additionally, the Kellogg School of Management offers an Executive MBA Program in Miami and has alliances with business schools in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Canada. To learn more, visit http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/.
About BP
BP is the single, global brand formed by the combination of the former British Petroleum, Amoco Corporation, Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) and Burmah Castrol. BP is a global producer, manufacturer and marketer of oil, gas, chemicals and renewable energy resources. Every day BP provides energy solutions to approximately 13 million customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.bp.com.
About Chase
Chase is Chicago's most convenient bank, with 350 branches and 1,400 ATMs serving Chicago area consumers and businesses. Parent company JPMorgan Chase is one of the world's leading banks, with $1.5 trillion in assets. More information about Chase is available at www.chase.com. |
