Economic Development Page

BLR’s Economic Development Committee operates the Center for the Acceleration of African American Business (CAAAB) to support the growth and development of businesses owned by African Americans in the St. Louis metropolitan region. CAAAB provides needed resources and strategically partners experienced volunteer mentors from business and faith-based centers with African American business owners. To continue its efforts to grow and expand its services, BLR’s Economic Development Committee has successfully completed the following:

· BLR convened the Missouri Coalition of Minority and Women-Owned Businesses to work with government officials and business leaders to advance an agenda that supports minority and women business development.

· A Youth Entrepreneurship Program was implemented by BLR, in partnership with the St. Louis Community College, during the 2006-07 school year to assist students in St. Louis metropolitan school districts to successfully develop and employ business plans.

· In January 2007, BLR facilitated “Building the Next Workforce” forum along with WorkforceSt.Louis2.0 as part of the South Growth Polices Board activities. Twenty-six (26) black business owners, community leaders and educators participated in the forum which was designed to develop a competitive workforce in the new economy in the St. Louis region and across the country.

· BLR retained project management consulting services of OmniVision to provide a technology based technical assistance program to CAAAB’s general members, who often cannot afford these services on their own.

· BLR and the Missouri Coalition of Minority and Women-Owned Businesses conducted its first “Coalition Day at the Capital” in Jefferson City on February 28, 2007.

· BLR hosted over 400 black business owner participants at the FraserNet Power Networking Conference in October, 2007.

· BLR established a collaborative relationship with the I-64 Project and MoDOT in efforts to ensure the involvement of disadvantaged businesses and minority and women workers in the project.

Center for the Acceleration of African American Businesses Institutional Membership · AT&T · Advantage Capital · Ameren UE · Backstrom, McCarly, Berry & Co. · Diamler Chrysler · Hispanic Chamber of Commerce · Justine Petersen Pulaski Bank · Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity General Membership · African American Products · allanrobertsads, inc. · Allies in Healthcare, LLC · Amen Ra Enterprises · American Communications Network (ACN) · BLT Consulting, LLC · Complexions of Promotions · Cothrine Network Industries · DT Williams & Associates · DirecuTec, LLC · Global Advanced Manufacturing · Heavenly Precious Baby Cribs · Information Age Consultants · Midwestern Construction & Development · OmniVision · Real Estate—3000 · Saulsberry & Associates, LLC · The Platinum Group · TurnGroup Technologies · Urban Investigations, Inc. Associate Membership · Blair Forlaw · Carter Dunkin · Lydia Padilla For More Information If you would like information on becoming a member, please contact Eddie Davis at edavis@sbcglobal.net or (314) 367-8822.
		St. Louis Black Leadership Roundtable 415 DeBaliviere St. Louis, MO 63112 (314)367-8822 phone BLR’s Economic Development Committee operates the Center for the Acceleration of African American Business (CAAAB) to support the growth and development of businesses owned by African Americans in the St. Louis metropolitan region. CAAAB provides needed resources and strategically partners experienced volunteer mentors from business and faith-based centers with African American business owners. To continue its efforts to grow and expand its services, BLR’s Economic Development Committee has successfully completed the following: · BLR convened the Missouri Coalition of Minority and Women-Owned Businesses to work with government officials and business leaders to advance an agenda that supports minority and women business development. · A Youth Entrepreneurship Program was implemented by BLR, in partnership with the St. Louis Community College, during the 2006-07 school year to assist students in St. Louis metropolitan school districts to successfully develop and employ business plans. · In January 2007, BLR facilitated “Building the Next Workforce” forum along with WorkforceSt.Louis2.0 as part of the South Growth Polices Board activities. Twenty-six (26) black business owners, community leaders and educators participated in the forum which was designed to develop a competitive workforce in the new economy in the St. Louis region and across the country. · BLR retained project management consulting services of OmniVision to provide a technology based technical assistance program to CAAAB’s general members, who often cannot afford these services on their own. · BLR and the Missouri Coalition of Minority and Women-Owned Businesses conducted its first “Coalition Day at the Capital” in Jefferson City on February 28, 2007. · BLR hosted over 400 black business owner participants at the FraserNet Power Networking Conference in October, 2007. · BLR established a collaborative relationship with the I-64 Project and MoDOT in efforts to ensure the involvement of disadvantaged businesses and minority and women workers in the project.