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21st Century Workforce News Release:
[09/18/2007]
Contact Name: Jennifer Coxe/Suzy Bohnert
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676/202-693-4665
Release Number: 07-1416-NAT
U.S. Department of Labor hosts fifth annual Opportunity Conference
for minority entrepreneurs, and community and faith-based organizations
WASHINGTON — African American, Hispanic and Asian Pacific American entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations and faith-based leaders today gathered in Washington for the fifth annual U.S. Department of Labor Opportunity Conference. The conference was established by Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao to help traditionally underserved communities grow and access opportunity.
"Traditionally underserved communities are often unaware of the tremendous resources available within mainstream America to help them achieve their dreams," said Secretary Chao. "A goal of this conference is to bring everyone together to familiarize entrepreneurs, community organizers, and others with a wide variety of resources."
"This administration recognizes the vital, job-creating role that small and medium-sized enterprises play in our growing economy — representing over 99 percent of employers and providing nearly 83 percent of all private payroll jobs," Secretary Chao continued. "The Opportunity Conference includes workshops on venture capital for entrepreneurs, marketing and media strategies, and one of the department's most significant regional grant programs, called Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development."
The free, daylong business conference educated participants about how to benefit from economic development and to work with state, federal and local government to obtain grants and contracts. Attendees learned about a range of subjects including:
- How entrepreneurs can locate and gain access to venture capital.
- Partnership opportunities for faith-based and community organizations.
- Entrepreneurial economic trends.
- How to apply for government grants.
- How entrepreneurial veterans can apply for loans.
- Financial literacy for ethnic communities.
- Marketing and media strategies for small enterprises and organizations.
Conference co-sponsors included the Association of Small Business Development Centers, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the National Urban League and the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce. Conference national partners were Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; the Asian Job Services Employer Council; the Chinese Benevolent Association; the Cuban American National Council; the Federal Asian Pacific American Council; the Flushing Chinese Business Association; the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities; the Korean American Association of Maryland; MANA, a national Latina organization; Minority Roundtable; the National Association of Asian American Professionals; the National Council of La Raza; SER-Jobs for Progress National Inc.; The Latino Coalition; Top Ladies of Distinction Inc.; the U.S. Asian Business Council; the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute; the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.
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