Eva Imhonde
The Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce  is always excited at the opportunities given to be a positive part of people’s lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Tuesday morning’s roundtable discussion with the City of Dallas proved to be no exception. The Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce’s place at the table was numbered with bright individuals from various community organizations such as Gerald Andrews of Cedar Valley College, Lisa Cruz Alonzo and Zarin Gracey from the City of Dallas, Felicia Brooks of Urban League of Greater Dallas, Paula Sullivan of The Right Resource Group, TBey & Associates HR & Staffing, Lane Staffing, Mike Thompson from SVI International and others.
There were very interesting topics tabled such as what can be done to give ex-offenders an edge on job applications, how employers can receive peace of mind from the City of Dallas’ efforts to supply them with employees who have records, and what can be done to help ex-offenders not only find jobs but keep jobs.
The thrill keeps going strong, as experienced at the Chamber Meeting on Tuesday evening. From the start, the room was buzzing with excitement as the meeting room at the Desoto Holiday Inn quickly filled up. Some of who joined were representatives from the NAACP, the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, the Patin Law Group, the Urban League, and Delta Sigma Theta to list a few.
he Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce were able to share knowledge with one another and begin good relationships with people never seen at previous Chamber functions before.
From dry cleaner owners, to hair salon owners and insurance specialists, the Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce was amazed at the interest and willingness to see the Southwestern area of the DFW Metroplex flourish. In fact, the City of Desoto’s very own James Zander of JZA Insurance stepped in to give a presentation on insurance and how it affects business owners, particularly those in the Southwest area of Dallas.
If you have been to a Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce meeting before, you know that empowerment will happen as it did when the Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce’s new members were presented with their plaques. The Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce wanted to show them that the Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce appreciates their participation in our Chamber and care about their professional lives. With meetings like these, the Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce will not only have to make more room at the Desoto Holiday Inn, but will have to make more room in the Southwest for excited, motivated entrepreneurs to paint communities with successful business ventures.
The event started on time with a nearly full house. The bar is being raised and good things are happening in the Southwest.
