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Thank you for supporting the North Alabama African American Chamber of Commerce.
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 The HMBCC is dedicated to the economic development, job creation, and advocacy that is critical to the growth and future success of member businesses, nonprofits and the community at large.
The HMBCC is dedicated to economic development, job creation, and advocacy that is critical to the growth and future success of member businesses, nonprofits and the community at large.
 
THE CHRISTMAS MIX & MINGLE RECEPTION (note: This is the HMBCC MONTHLY MEETING) REMINDER. The meeting is scheduled for 6:pm. The $15 fee must be paid on-line at hsvackchamber.org by Wednesday at pm. Join us for food, drink, & karaoke.

WELCOME ABOARD

Communication & Culture LLC

Chamber News

Join us for the final QuickBooks sessions of 2022. December 12-13 in Decatur and December
19-20 in Huntsville.

HMBCC Conference: Get in Motion!


The Huntsville Metro Black Chamber of Commerce (HMBCC) held its annual business conference on November 18 at Huntsville’s DoubleTree Hotel.  The conference featured timely seminars, exhibitors, and the annual awards luncheon saluting its members that demonstrated the 2022 theme of “getting in motion to make things happen”.  Primary sponsors included: Toyota Alabama, Alabama Small Business Development Center at the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Quali-Tech Properties, and Huntsville Housing Authority.

The conference open with local exhibitors representing industry and professions such insurance, real estate, law, solar energy, as well retail apparel, wine & beverage, custom jewelry design and AT&T Mobility Services.  Additionally, nonprofits such as the Alabama Small Business Development Center at University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Huntsville Housing Authority, and the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library in North Huntsville.

The awards luncheon was hosted by Huntsville’s # 1 Comedian, Mr. Jeff Johnson, better know in comedic circles as “Jeff Giant”. He delighted the crowd with quips on politician Herschel Walker, entertainer Kanye West, and others, keeping everyone thoroughly entertain.  The audience was inspired by the words of Michael German, CEO of Broadview America, a residential and commercial real estate development firm with nation-wide projects.  Last spring the city of Birmingham announced that they signed a contract with Mr. German’s firm to complete a $100 million residential project.  It marked the largest residential development project by an all-Black development team in Alabama. 

Some outstanding and innovative chamber members received awards. Brown Books & More (owner Janell Brown), a boutique Afro-centric bookstore located in Decatur won the Rising Star Award owing to the great promise for longevity and success as a startup business.  Lakeside United Methodist Church, under the leadership of Dr. Randy Kelley, was named Nonprofit of the Year, being cited for their creative educational community programs such as their Juneteenth Celebration event.  Scene That Tours (owner Denise Swain) was named Business of year, having carved out a sustainable niche in the lucrative African American cultural heritage and tourism industry. Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State Community and Technical College received the .2022 Entrepreneurial Leadership award and cited launching a number of new programs, securing a $2.4 million grant to bring high-speed internet to the minority community, and being named to President Biden’s infrastructure committee.

4 seminars covering “Social Media Marketing”, Cannabis Industry 101”, Cybersecurity and your Business”  and “Grantwriting 101”, along with a panel discussion, “Doing Business with Local Agencies, were presented.
Visit www.hsvblackchamber.org to learn more about the Huntsville Metro Black Chamber of Commerce.
 
Award Winners in center: Lakeside UM Church, Brown Books & More, Dr. Patricia Sims, Scene That Tours.  J. Mitchell on left and M. German on right.
 

Conference speaker Michael German & wife Beverly with Comedian Jeff Giant

Conference sponsor Quali-Tech Properties
Exhibitors: Inspirational Parchment, owners Monique Cook (left) and Madonna Buckner (right)
 

OPPORTUNITIES – BUSINESS & CAREER

Check the Huntsville Housing Authority website for business opportunities www.huntsvillehousing.org.  
Check immediate career opportunities with Discovery Life Sciences. Visit www.dls.com.
Check new & immediate employment opportunities at Huntsville Utilities. Visit  www.hsvutil.org.
Check Birmingham Water Works Board website- bwwb.org, for current business opportunities
 

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Program Advances Public STEM Efforts
National Science Foundation
The Advancing Informal STEM Learning Program seeks to fund research and practice, with a focus on investigating a range of informal STEM learning experiences and environments that make lifelong learning a reality. The current solicitation encourages proposals from institutions and organizations that serve public audiences and specifically focus on public engagement with and understanding of STEM, including community STEM, public participation in scientific research, science communication, intergenerational STEM engagement, and STEM media. Five types of projects will be supported: synthesis, conferences, partnership development and planning, integrating research and practice, and research in support of wide-reaching public engagement with STEM. The application deadline is January 11, 2023.

Low-Income Housing for Seniors Supported
Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program supports the development and ongoing operation of supportive rental housing for very low-income persons, aged 62 years or older. The Program provides elderly persons with the opportunity to live independently, but with important voluntary support services such as nutritional, transportation, continuing education, or health-related services. In addition, funds are available to support the development of intergenerational housing for elderly caregivers raising children. The application deadline is January 25, 2023.

New Grant Program Boosts Washington State Cultural Organizations
ArtsFund: Community Accelerator Grant Program
The Community Accelerator Grant Program, a new grantmaking program offered by ArtsFund, will provide a total of $10 million in unrestricted grants for cultural nonprofit organizations across Washington state. The program, funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, will provide grants of $2,500 to $25,000 to nonprofit cultural organizations whose primary mission is to produce or support arts and cultural activities. The aim is to boost arts organizations' ability to invest in their missions and essential roles serving communities across the state. Washington state-based arts and cultural organizations, including fiscally sponsored organizations and tribal organizations, with a three-year average budget of $25,000 or greater are eligible to apply. A webinar information session will be hosted by ArtsFund on December 9, 2022, and applications will be accepted from January 4 through January 31, 2023. Visit the ArtsFund website to register for the informational webinar, or to sign up to learn more about the program as information is released.

Support Strengthens Women of Color Leadership in Southern States
Ms. Foundation for Women: Ms. South
The Ms. Foundation for Women's Ms. South strategy supports the leadership of women and girls of color (WGOC) and strengthens their ecosystem of leaders in 14 key states in the U.S. south: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. In this round of grantmaking, the Foundation will invest over $1,500,000 in support of WGOC-led groups across the spectrum of movement building and organizing. The goals are to strengthen the organizational and financial sustainability of an ecosystem of WGOC-led organizations, increase connectivity between WGOC-led organizations, and position WGOC leaders as key experts and decision-makers in shaping policy and culture change. General operating support grants of $20,000 to $50,000 per year for up to two years will be provided. The application deadline is January 13, 2023. Visit the Foundation's website to download the request for proposals and read the FAQs

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TO JOIN THESE GREAT ADVERTISERS CALL THE OFFICE AT 256-427-2650

Want to become part of the HMBCC family? 
Contact the Huntsville Metro Black Chamber of Commerce (www.hsvblackchamber.org) today for business opportunities, referrals, general business assistance, and of course membership.  Email: info@hsvblackchamber.org or Call (256) 427-2650.

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