The Bronzeville Business Association Welcomes Junior Members

On November 3rd, the BBA welcomed their newest members:

Cameron, age 12
Bria, age 12
Rahsaan, age 12
Stephon, age 14
Toure, age 14
Sade, age 14
Jahi, age 17
Stuart, age 15

The BBA’s Street Team will deliver newspapers, flyers, and menus of area businesses, be mentored in entrepreneurship, help with special events, and train new hires. The BBA is excited to partner with parents and organizations in Bronzeville to teach children the value of earned money, money management, community development, and teamwork.

Orientation was held at Bronzeville Coffee House, 528 E. 43rd Street,, and conducted by Trez Pugh, III and Richard Chalmers of Bronzeville Coffee House, Ronney McCarthy of Bronzeville Signs and Printing, Leroy Kennedy of Illinois Institute of Technology, Robert Thornton of News Photography Network, Calvin Toone of Fifth-Third Bank, Toure Muhammad of Bean Soup Times, Dhyia Thompson of the virgoProject, and Leila Khaled of Bronzeville Metropolis.

The Street Team heard Dhyia Thompson of the virgoProject explain how she had her first job washing dishes at age twelve, opened a bank account, and after she was laid off, was the youngest person in her family to get an unemployment check.

Ronney McCarthy of Bronzeville Signs & Printing explained the value of having your own business and that they should not only think about going to college, but, returning home to build their community.

Trez Pugh, III of Bronzeville Coffee House is looking forward to teaching the Street Team responsibility and timeliness. “This gives them a chance to ask questions because we want them to grow up to be business owners in their own community.”

Leila Khaled of Bronzeville Metropolis is their immediate supervisor and is extremely happy for much needed distribution help. Before training them in safety and delivery, she explained what ideas are.

“Some ideas are passing thoughts. But, some ideas are intentions and plans of action. So, when a person brings their idea into reality, that idea has to be respected. The businesses who advertise in this newspaper are trusting me with their idea and I’m trusting you with mine. If I, as the editor, fail, or if the layout editor fails, or if the photographer fails, or if the printer fails, or if any one of these parts fail, the newspaper fails. And if we fail, we are not respecting these people’s ideas. So, you are just as important to our success as the rest of us.”

At the end of orientation, one of the Street Team members asked, “So, when you are able to hire more kids, does that mean we get to boss them around?” Leila Khaled, being the very mature and responsible adult she is, answered, “Well, of course! They will be the newbies and you get to tell ‘em what to do!” He responded, “YES!” Metropolis

The BBA is counting on Bronzeville residents to keep a watchful eye on the Street Team as they make their deliveries and several neighbors have already volunteered to help supervise them on their various routes. To join the Bronzeville Business Association, visit www.BronzevilleBa.com. Membership: Free

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