Black Expo expands to include entrepreneurial training | News

ELKHART — Black Business Training Institute is expanding to Elkhart.

The program is an Indiana Black Expo hands-on business management training program and will be in partnership with the Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo, the city of Elkhart, and the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce to provide business resources and access to capital for minority businesses across Indiana.

“The Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce has a long history of supporting the strengthening of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our region,” said Elkhart Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Levon Johnson. “Coupled with our commitment to collaborate with other organizations in our collective efforts to grow the business community in our area, we are partnering with the Indiana Black Expo on the Michiana Black Business Training Institute. With a focus on helping build skills and knowledge that will help in business sustainability and growth we look forward to working with IBE on this initiative to support entrepreneurs in the South Bend-Elkhart region.”

Since the inception of BBTI, IBE has provided technical assistance to more than three hundred businesses in Central Indiana in accounting services, financial advising, operational management, marketing and branding, technology, procurement, and access to capital, a statement from IBE reads. IBE has developed specialized partnerships with industry experts, including CPAs, accountants, and financial firms that have provided technical assistance to participating businesses in accounting, bookkeeping, business planning, and business management.

“We are excited to provide support and assist the Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo, one of IBE’s premier chapters, with the creation and launch of this important initiative to help minority and small businesses create generational wealth for their families and create economic impact for the Michiana area. This is only the beginning of a great partnership with the City of Elkhart and the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce,” IBE President and CEO Alice Watson said.

IBE has engaged Jean Poole, CEO and founder of E Cubed Performance LLC, as a business facilitator and adviser who will work to secure expert business owners and instructors to facilitate the workshop clinics, the release reads.

The 11-week training sessions will begin Sept. 4. The sessions will focus on practical business skills that minority and small business owners can immediately apply. Specifically, the businesses are trained in business plan creation, profit and loss statements, budgets, projections, business certifications, and access to traditional and non-traditional capital.

A check for $1,000 is awarded to the top business owner/business that excels in the program and receives perfect attendance, the release reads. The business owner will be recognized at a special networking event hosted by the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce.

Due to the increased costs of serving the participants in the program, IBE and the IBE Elkhart Chapter are looking for additional sponsors to support this important and impactful endeavor.