Bronzeville Stimulus Session - Part 1

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Photo: Timothy Muhammad

The staff of the Metropolis did such an excellent job of hosting Part I of the Stimulus Session for small businesses yesterday. Bronzeville Coffee House was packed to capacity with business owners serious about obtaining funding for start up... Read More’s, expansions, refinancing etc. The presenters were very knowledgeable and informative; it was great to obtain information about programs that are available at a local government level for small businesses. The information regarding the application processes, lenders and agencies was invaluable! To the Metropolis, Thank you so very much for presenting such a wonderful and well organized event! Nicole Hill

Hey Leila,

Turned out great! I had to leave early but I enjoyed it. I came back to the store, pulled up my email from 2 weeks ago from the SBA and printed all the info I needed to apply for the ARC loan. Ronney McCarthy

Ms L.,

First you stepped up and put your time, vision, and resources behind it all. Next you returned to the place where you held court and was given refuge while cultivating your publication, The B-Ville Coffee House. A great example of Blacks doing business with Blacks on a variety of levels. Then you had your team in place to help the event. You had two main presenters there to present the process and the political based governmental resources to look toward. Now add two testimonies and the fact that you charged us NO cash to do this and I am in luv all over again. You did all of this while looking great and keeping your poise when your details and procedure were not followed as planned or were tardy, or shy, or nervous. You got it done.

As I always say, if you cook a great meal and put it on the table and we refuse to eat or show up, or leave, did you feed us? Your vision and quest for perfection will come. You are riding the tip of the spear in the eye of the tornado so there will be much you will not see, feel, or even know of your effect. For any of us to be over annoyed or distracted by the glitches is to miss the power and potential presented in the moment. Turtel Onli

Photo: Metropolis/Leila Khaled

Last night was very educational. Thanks for taking on the challenge of keeping our community informed on this vital financial link to the success of new and established businesses. Linda Garcia Merchant

Thanks for offering this! I am so proud of your success and how far you've come. You go girl! Theresa Tracy

Hello Leila,

Thanks for inviting me to Part I of the Stimulus Session last night - it was very, very informative. I was not able to stay to the end to meet you - I left after Debbie Meyers-Martin spoke - but I am glad that I came to this event. Linda Davis

Hello Leila,

Thank you so very much for taking the initiative and organizing the Stimulus Session in Bronzeville that was held last night. You did an excellent job and you did so in a very short time period. Your hard work is definitely appreciated. Please pass on my thanks to management and staff of Bronzeville Coffee and Tea and to each of the presenters. All of them did an excellent job. I particularly want you to communicate to the presenters from the SBA and Illinois Treasurer's office how much I appreciate the fact that they came and stayed throughout the program even though they were probably not paid extra for working at night by their respective employers. Thank you again. L. Victoria Rowels

Congratulations on a hugely successful event. Thank you for spearheading and organizing such an important composit of resources and information. Bravo Leila. The food was a great idea and the agenda was focused but a little long. I enjoyed and appreciated the personal stories, it helps bring hope to our door step. For the next session people should set aside 3 hours minimum to attend. (I certainly will) It is my understanding that the next session will be more in depth and specific to individual needs, that's great!

I know of several businesses that are struggling, they are in business, but having difficulty staying a float. Thank you for being a woman of action! Some would say action, speaks louder than words... but action and words? What a winning combination. Marla J. Reddrick

Photo: Timothy Muhammad

Leila,

Congratulations to you and the Metropolis team! Monday evening's event was well organized, much needed, and quite informative! I look forward to the follow-up discussions. All The Best! Michelle Thibodeaux

Hi Leila!
You all did a great job! Karen Bozeman-Gross

I thought the turn out was amazing and the information was invaluable. Overall, I must say that I think you are doing an amazing job disseminating valuable information and I honestly believe that because of this you will probably have more of an impact on our community than anyone else. I truly mean that. Todd Occomy

Ok...that was a great event. Thank You. DeAnna Hines

Thanks for all you do. I enjoyed Stimulus part 1. Marcie Hill

I would like to Thank You for taking the time out to host the seminar the other day. I noticed your frustration after the event, and as a fellow promoter and event organizer I understand what your frustration may have been. Although the seminar could have used some improvements I think it was a great start towards getting more minorities on the road to financial support. I want you to keep pushing forward, keep the network you have built engaged. I would send an email out allowing people to email you feedback on the event, what they gained, what they would have liked to seen, etc. Coming from an event background I know that more people will complain but never do anything on their own...so the best thing to do is just get their feedback but keep on your path of making things happen. God is with you! Keeana Barber

Photo: Timothy Muhammad

"Whew!"

Dhyia Thompson and Leila Khaled