By Dorothy Boulware
Special to the AFRO
(March 4, 2009) - No business person doubts the value or the power of affiliation. Iron sharpens iron, or so the Bible says. Being in social proximity with people who are where you want to be strengthens your resolve to succeed and to provide strength for the next person.
As it became clearer that African Americans in the early days of freedom would have to fend for themselves economically, Booker T. Washington, leader of the National Negro Business League, told conference attendees, “At the bottom of education, at the bottom of politics, even at the bottom of religion itself, there must be for our race, as for all races, an economic foundation, economic prosperity, economic independence.”
In contrast to the Free African Society, a benevolent society and the first Black self-help group, the focus of the League was strictly the African-American economy:
• Foster economic development as a primary means of obtaining racial equality.
• Unite African-American business owners to fellowship and exchange innovative ideas to promote economic growth and
• Track Black business development and growth.
And however it is stated, these remain the central focus of business leadership today.
Be it through membership or networking, astute business people are always looking for more efficient ways of doing what they do or different ways of getting the word out about their product or service.
It’s invaluable to be with people with the same interest who provide dependable representation and disseminate pertinent information on a regular basis. And if they lobby on your behalf that’s an added value.
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Local membership opportunities:
The Prince Georges County and the Greater Baltimore Black Chambers of Commerce offer the opportunity to be connected to people, who understand business, have vision and a willingness to share the power of leadership and will create opportunities for professional success.
The Maryland Washington Minority Contractors Association provides support, education, capacity building, and technical assistance to new and existing businesses - monitors and facilitates inclusiveness, empowerment and opportunities for members.
The Collective Banking Group pools numbers of faith based organizations and forms partnerships to effect economic empowerment for their constituents and the surrounding communities.
And also online:
Sistaz N Motion was founded in December 2003 for the purpose of educating and supporting women who aspire to become successful entrepreneurs.
Blackwomenconnect.com is for professionals in every area.
Chocolatepages.net is a forum for editors, writers and publishers to find support while writing books and a marketplace when they’re finished.
Contact Plaster Specialties at info@plasterspec.com or call 410-254-5046.
Find the Gibson Group at gibsongroupllc@aol.com.}
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A value Wes Bryant enjoys as a member of American Subcontractors Association and the Associated Brothers and Contractors. He keeps his company, Plastering Specialties, up to date with changes in the law and in his trade.
“Belonging has helped quite a bit. They provide networking possibilities and educational opportunities,” he said, mentioning a recently signed executive order that paves the way for unions to organize merit based shops.
“Federal agencies require use of union-only project labor agreements on federally funded construction projects of $25 million or more, which is almost all of them,” Bryant said. “And 85 percent of the workforce is non union.
He also belongs to the American Society of Professional Estimators. “Everything starts with an estimate. They offer LEED certification through their programs. That’s a very big deal now,” he said. “It’s green building – certifying that it’s being done the right way, materials are brought from no further than 500 miles away – it’s a very big deal.”
T’Jae Gibson found membership in the chamber of commerce most helpful when she first started the Gibson Group, which provides integrated public relations and communications programs that build and shape institutional and individual reputations.
She did come to a crossroads at one point.
“I needed help navigating the contracting world and breaking into organizations where I had no inside contact,” Gibson said. “That kind of advice is at a premium and rarely did I find anyone willing to give meaningful tips to break in.”
She found her own way, going against the grain.
“I only go after the opportunities that motivated me spiritually on a very personal level.”
It’s the same thing that makes companies choose her services.
“That way my colleagues, potential protégés and potential clients can see the ‘authentic’ me,” Gibson said. “Who else can teach me to do me?”