Foundation Board Members

CEO/President Tate Hill Foundation Treasurer Dick Keyes Foundation Board Members Darryl Du'Chene Allysunn Walker-Williams

FMBCC Board of Directors

Tate HillCEO/President James ArchieSecretary Bruce HeightsTreasurer Steve Carter Julia Dudley-Najieb Landon Green Rick Keyes Siggie Moore Lawrence Thomas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 14, 2012

Sold-out FMBCC womens workshop-luncheon creates promising follow-up series

Local black chamber to immediately co-host second workshop for eager women entrepreneurs
FRESNO, CA A workshop and luncheon networking opportunity for black women professionals, business owners and minority-women seekers attracted over 120 participants in less than a few weeks to the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce and Foundations (FMBCC) Power Luncheon Series: Women & Entrepreneurship Symposium (WES), held last week. With an overwhelming reception from women professionals and entrepreneurs, the Walker-Williams Group and the FMBCC have scheduled a follow-up one-on-one workshop for Saturday, Dec. 8th, 9 AM to 12 PM at the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce Downtown Hub on 1444 Fulton Ave., featuring workshop presenter Mickie Valentine, the owner of Dream Again, Inc. The first annual WES event, Defining Your Own Success, focused on one-on-one workshops for new businesses, professionals and established businesses, as well as the success and contributions of local black women who continue to make tremendous strides in the business world as entrepreneurs and professionals. The three awardees were also the panelists: Rising Star Awardee Ann Marie Production, Business Professional of the Year Awardee Janis Parker, and Madam CJ Walker Achievement Awardee, Lynette Powe. FMBCC CEO Hill informed the audience of the disenfranchised segment of the business community. Over 1,000 African-American women-owned businesses in the Fresno metropolitan area contribute to the $200 million worth of annual sales by local black businesses, said Hill. In addition, black female buying power is an estimated $344 million each year in the FresnoClovis-Madera area. WES Symposium Chair Allysunn WalkerWilliams vision came to fruition after two years of collaboration with FMBCC CEO Hill. We look forward to being a powerful womens committee who will be an extension of the FMBCC, said Walker-Williams. Throughout the year we then will provide a series of workshops and Q&As specifically designed to help each person individually on her road to a successful business venture. The Walker-Williams Group along with the FMBCC will continue to host the WES series throughout the year to help build the FMBCC womens committee and alliance to provide as a support and resource for women in business.

WES Series #1
Saturday, December 8, 2012 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Featuring workshop presenter

Mickie Valentine, Owner, Dream Again, Inc.

Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce Downtown Hub on 1444 Fulton Ave. Fresno, CA Call 559-441-7929 for more info. and registration

Brief awardee bios:

Rising StarAnn Marie Production Julia Dudley Najieb is the CEO of Ann Marie Production, LLC which produces national urban TV network AnnMariePro TVand California black TV network Bounce-NorCal BounceTV, and is the first AfricanAmerican woman to own a multi-channel TV network and production company in the San Joaquin Valley. AMPTV has recently expanded its national audience to mobile and internet TV to over +20 million international viewers. Business Professional of the YearJanis B. Parker Ms. Parker is the Marketing & Communications Manager for the Fresno Regional Workforce Investment Board (FRWIB). As an area agency non-profit organization, the FRWIB administers a fiscal year budget of nearly $20 million, providing business and training services to Fresno County businesses and residents. With over 20 years of marketing, public relations and finance experience, Ms. Parker plans and directs all marketing and communications efforts for the FRWIB and its five Workforce Connection One-Stop locations throughout Fresno County. CJ Walker Achievement Award Lynette Powe Ms. Lynette Powe is the president and CEO of New Life Discovery Schools with the responsibility of running an empire of corporations of schools. New Life Discovery Schools for 26 years has provided care and education for over 300 children each year, located in four centers throughout north Fresno. She is active in early education policy, participating in the development Fresno County Preschool Master Plan, PACE, and the Fresno Children's Movement. Ms. Powe is a very loving, caring, hardworking and very proud business woman.
About the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce and the FMBCC Foundation: In 2010, the Fresno Metro Black Chamber Foundation was founded for the purpose of providing education and charitable assistance to the general public through the creation, development and growth of Black businesses and for the general welfare of the African-American community in the greater Fresno area. The Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce serves as an advocate for and facilitates the creation, development, growth, and general welfare of African-American business community in the greater Fresno area. Media Inquiries: Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce (559) 441-7929.

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