What is the Community Navigators Pilot Program?

Through the Community Navigator Pilot Program, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is engaging with states, local governments, SBA resource partners, and other organizations in targeted outreach for small businesses in marginalized communities. The program offers funding to nonprofits, state and local governments, universities, and tribal entities to partner with SBA at the center of a hub and spoke network.

The Springfield Small Business Development Center (SBDC) serves as ‘The Hub’ and The Conscious Connect CDC serves as ‘The Spoke’ with the responsibility to leverage our community connections, credibility, and cultural knowledge to support under-resourced businesses. Our organization focuses on South Springfield businesses and aspiring Black entrepreneurs across the city who are seeking to start, scale, or sustain their venture. Our services include two community navigators who serve as business coaches and mentors. We provide the following services to small businesses:

• financial assistance and access to capital

• contracting and procurement

• marketing, operations, business development, and exporting

• Industry-specific training

2nd Annual Rose City Black Business Month

For the second straight year, Rose City Black Business Month is returning to Springfield. The national initiative which occurs every August was founded in 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. to bring attention to the needs of more than two million Black-owned businesses operating across America. Last year was the first-time the initiative was celebrated in Springfield and we are attempting to build on that momentum. Additional partners for the effort include the Springfield Small Business Development Center, 1159 South CDC, and OIC.

First Friday Happy Hour

August 4th 4:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Virtual

Rooftop Garage Downtown 99 S. Fountain Ave. 45502

Social Networking event organized by Chalk De Peace featuring Live Music and Vendors. Open

to the public.

Marketing Matrix: AI for Small Business

August 10th 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The L Event Center 1530 S. Yellow Springs St. 45506

Gain knowledge from an expert on how to utilize AI for business. Open to the public.

Gammon Farmers Market

August 12th, Noon - 3:00 p.m

Gammon House 620 Piqua Pl. 45506

The Gammon Farmers Market exists to empower Black owned businesses, celebrate freedom of cultural expression, increase access to fresh produce on the southside of Springfield, and highlight the Gammon House Underground Railroad Historical Landmark. Open to the public.

Scripted In Black Social Hour and Movie Night

August 12th, social hour is from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. and the showing begins at 7:30 p.m.

Springfield Museum of Art 107 Cliff Park Rd. 45504

Scripted in Black is an exclusive multi-disciplinary arts collective that centers the work and collaboration of Black and Brown unconventional creatives to provide feel good experiences for high vibe Black and Brown communities. Open to the public.

Coworking Day

August 15th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Center City Studio 20 S. Limestone St. Suite #50

Enjoy free coworking and network building. Complimentary Kahawa House Coffee will be provided. Space is limited. RSVP to Dorian Hunter, dorianhunter17@gmail.com.

Roadmap to Lending Virtual Webinar

August 21 st 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Zoom

Virtual

Hosted at Champion City Cuts barbershop, this event will focus on connecting entrepreneurs with information for seeking funding from banks and how to acquire business certifications. Presenters are: Sharif Rogers with Huntington National Bank, Alana Valvo with 5/3 bank, and Cheryl Dover the Minority Business Coordinator for the City of Springfield. Photography by Chris Mcwhorter.

Join PNC for an informational webinar and Q&A focused on the bank lending process for small businesses. Please RSVP at https://fb.me/e/12hxInjga.

Bag Talk: Business Certification Blitz

August 24th 3:30 - 6:30 p.m

Clark County Public Library Southgate Branch 1863 S. Limestone St. 45506

Business Certification Specialists will be on site to assist qualifying businesses with completing applications for state MBE/ WBE certifications. Those who attend will hear from local certified business owners about how they’ve been able to leverage this credential. Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Neal Browning, nbrowning@oicofclarkco.org.