Communications Director Ashlee Jones sat down with Chamber Board Member Kevin Gibson to discuss the Chamber's upcoming PITCH Competition!

Are you a small business making at or below $250,000 a year? Is there a project you've been wanting to grow into with your business? You're in luck!

PITCH is an innovative and unique way for the Chamber to further serve our community, where one small business will win a cash prize to build their business and further their growth. All received applications will be narrowed down, and those selected will compete LIVE by making a presentation (or pitch) to the judging panel and the crowd at our PITCH Competition on Thursday, April 21st, 2022 from 12 PM -1 PM at the Oxford Civic Center. The judging panel will consist of 4 business leaders within the community and the audience will act as the 5th judge.

The winning small business will be awarded a prize in capital; however, each business invited to present will receive substantial visibility through its ability to tell its story to the panel and crowd attending. Be sure to apply before March 31st!

For more information, please contact Public Affairs Director Kate Jaudon at [email protected]!

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Dale Smith saw a need in Alabama when it came to aiding individuals that were post-incarceration. These were people who had been in prison for several years and were being released to an entirely different world that didn't offer them many prospects to be successful. By establishing and educating inmates before they are released, Dale and his team have begun to change lives across several states with their program, one small business at a time!

For more information, contact Dale Smith directly at [email protected] or by visiting their website at feloneducationproject.com.

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Communications Director Ashlee Jones sat down with Shannon Romano and Michele Williams of Project SEARCH of Calhoun County to go over their mission and services provided to the local business community.

If you would like to purchase a $5 lanyard handmade by the interns of Project SEARCH, please contact Michele at: [email protected]

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Communications Director Ashlee Jones sat down with Misty Gardner, Program Manager of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama, to discuss the mission and services provided by BBBS.

Interested in volunteering or have questions for Misty? Contact her today at 256-241-3525 or by email at [email protected]!

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Join us for a special webinar highlighting the features and details of our 20% corporate tuition scholarship with JSU, presented by JSU Admissions.

Speakers:

Kelly Martin - Director of Enrollment Initiatives

Lauren Findley - Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Ashlee Hanvey - Assistant Director of Graduate Studies

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Communications Director Ashlee Jones spoke with Tom Todt, District Director for the Small Business Association's Alabama District Office located in Birmingham about the current economic climate of our small business community, as well as its recovery post-2020.

Director Todt began his duties as District Director in June 2008. In his role as District Director, Mr. Todt oversees a professional staff of 10 in the delivery of SBA’s Financial Assistance, Entrepreneurial Development, Business Training, Government Contracting and other marketing and outreach programs throughout Alabama’s 67 counties. This delivery network includes 10 Small Business Development Centers, six SCORE chapters, three Women’s Business Centers, four Certified Development Companies and dozens of lending institutions. (Source: https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-team/sba-leadership/tom-todt)

Towards the end of our interview, Director Todt mentions a networking event commonly held by the SBA. The name of said event is Matchmaker, should you wish you look it up and participate in the future.

For more questions regarding the SBA and its services, please visit sba.gov or contact Director Todt directly at [email protected].

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Communications Director Ashlee Jones sat down with Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Jacksonville State University, Charlcie Pettway Vann, to discuss Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and the current plans for JSU top implement.

If you would like to follow the work of her office on social media you can Like their Facebook page here.

To reach Mrs. Vann for more information, feel free to contact her at 256-782-8434 or by email at [email protected]. 

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Join us for a special webinar highlighting the importance of sign language and accessibility in the workplace for both customers and staff alike. Our guests will also be reviewing some common signs for those who visit your establishment that may be members of the deaf community.

Presented by Christy Kochie & Christie Hauwiller with assistance by ASL Interpreter Dean Evans.

Translation Apps:

Sorenson Buzzcards

Cardzilla

Google Live Transcribe (Speech to Text)

AVA

ASL Classes:

AIDB offers ASL classes via Zoom - Contact Marcus Washington at 205-328-3989 or by email at [email protected].

Interpreter Agencies:

AIDB: 256-375-4455

BrightSigns: 256-384-4141

M&N Language Services: 888-224-9192

Deaf Access, Inc.: 256-489-9606

If you'd like to view the "Deafies in Drag" video mentioned in this podcast, please visit here.

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"In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed the bus. Images of the attack appeared in hundreds of newspapers, shocking the American public and spurring the Federal Government to issue regulations banning segregation in interstate travel." -Freedom Riders National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

This week marks the 60th Anniversary of this historic event here in Calhoun County, and we were honored to interview Superintendent Kristofer Butcher and Park Ranger Jessica Epperson of the Freedom Riders National Monument to discuss the history of the Freedom Riders, the upcoming festivities, and the reopened bus site located in downtown Anniston.

Want to follow their social media to help them celebrate this momentous occasion this week?

Facebook

Instagram

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Are you interested in getting the most out of your company's internship program? Join us for a wonderful presentation from Jacksonville State University Career Specialist Carlos Acosta as he walks us through the necessary components for a successful internship program.

Have questions about beginning or updating your local internship program? Contact JSU's Career Services department here.

For a copy of the presentation slides, please visit: Developing Your Internship Program

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