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UID:tenant-1123-event-94005@chamberhive.com
DTSTAMP:20261108T085100Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261108T085100Z
DTSTART:20250920T140000Z
DTEND:20250920T180000Z
SUMMARY:POSTPONED - BLEND Program (Cohort 1.1)
LOCATION:Kinfolk CoLab (405 S Euclid Ave 2ND FLOOR)
DESCRIPTION:*UPDATE 9/18/25 - this program will be rescheduled for a future
  date* The Oak Park Black & Latine Business Support Network — known as B
 LEND — is more than a program. It’s a movement. BLEND stands for Black
  and Latine Entrepreneurship\, Networks\, and Development — a name that 
 reflects our core mission: to support\, connect\, and grow Black and Latin
 e-owned businesses right here in Oak Park. Designed to uplift and invest i
 n the brilliance of these entrepreneurs\, BLEND brings together both emerg
 ing and established business owners to build a stronger\, more inclusive l
 ocal economy. Through expert-led sessions\, peer collaboration\, and pract
 ical resources\, BLEND delivers the knowledge\, community\, and momentum t
 hat drive real business success — now and into the future! Cohort 1 focu
 ses on Micro & Emerging Businesses. These sessions will be held monthly fo
 r half of the day. Below are the dates and times: 1. Navigating Oak Park
 ’s Economic Vitality Infrastructure - (9/20/25) ○ How to access villag
 e resources and collaborate with local institutions. 2. How to Do Business
  in a Predominantly White Environment (PWE) - (10/18/25) ○ Navigating cu
 ltural dynamics and leveraging unique business strengths in a PWE context.
  3. Marketing for Emerging Businesses - (11/15/25) ○ Focus on resource-l
 ight marketing strategies that build brand presence. 4. Human Resources - 
 (12/13/25) ○ Building a small\, capable team and developing leadership s
 kills. 5. Accounting & Finance Basics - (1/17/26) ○ Financial literacy t
 ailored for new businesses\, including managing cash flow and securing fun
 ding. 6. Communications: Brand Storytelling - (2/21/26) ○ How to craft a
 n authentic\, compelling business narrative. 7. Operations: Scaling Your B
 usiness - (3/21/26) ○ Practical steps for growing and scaling\, from man
 aging inventory to expanding customer base. Date & time details 9:00 - 10:
 00 AM | Topic Introduction & Peer Exercise 10:00 - 11:00 AM | SME Presenta
 tion 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Work Session 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch & Netwo
 rking Fees & registration details FREE - Minority-Owned Oak Park businesse
 s and organizations\n\nhttps://www.oprfchamber.org/events/94005
URL:https://www.oprfchamber.org/events/94005
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