Weekly Messages From The Chair, May 24, 2021

Message #20- 5/24/21

Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members and Friends,

In this week’s message, you will find:

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Special thanks to everyone who supported the Chamber and attended our first Summer in the City networking event! We are planning similar events for June and July, so please stay tuned! Huge thanks to Chamber Member, the Courtyard Baltimore Downtown McHenry Row for hosting us and Kimberly Services and Minute Man Press for being Sponsors! 
Let’s congratulate Past Chairman Richard Craft on his new venture, Guilford Hall Brewery. I had dinner there over the weekend. The service was incredible, the food was amazing, the beer selection was fantastic and the mixed drinks were delicious! Rich gave me a tour and showed me the outside eating area, brewery and the huge event space upstairs. I’d say the upstairs event space is the perfect spot for our Chamber Holiday Party on December 9th!  Learn more at http://www.guilfordhall.com. Congratulations, Rich!!!  
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot is pictured here holding the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Award. We recognized Comptroller Franchot for his commitment to businesses in Maryland during our virtual event in April. Chamber Member Chase Street Accessories & Engraving created this award for us to present to the Comptroller. 
Here are 10 things you should know:

First, for the second year in a row, Chamber Member Chase Street Accessories & Engraving has been nominated for The Baltimore Sun’s Best! Use this link to vote daily for Chase Street Engraving: http://chase.st/vote. Voting remains open until 5pm on Friday 5/28 and you can add a daily reminder to your calendar by clicking http://chase.st/votereminder. Read more about this fantastic nomination at https://chasestreetae.com/blogs/news/we-are-nominated-for-the-baltimore-suns-best-2021.

Second, I am representing the Chamber again this year and fundraising for the Real Men Wear Pink Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. I raise funds because I lost my Mom to cancer in 2007. Perhaps you will join me as the Chamber raises funds to fight this horrible disease. Click here to support!

Third, though it has been 140 years since Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, the need to alleviate human suffering hasn’t changed. Volunteers continue to come together in innovative ways to serve and give hope during life’s emergencies. Volunteers continue to bring their talent and compassion to help build stronger and more resilient communities. Learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer at www.redcross.org/volunteer.Fourth, Chamber Member Winifred Holzwarth of Windward Financial is hosting a Financial Education Series for Women. All the sessions will be held at Café Mezzanotte located at 760 Governor Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD 21146 from 6pm to 8pm. On June 8th, the topic will be “Getting Ahead Financially”. On June 16th, the topic will be “Women and Money, Taking Control of Your Financial Future”. RSVP at 717-262-5040. There is no cost to attend.

Fifth, on June 23rd at 6pm, we will have a virtual meet and greet with the Reginald F. Lewis Museum’s new Executive Director, Terri Freeman. The Museum recently joined the Chamber. We’ll discuss upcoming initiatives, the Museum’s Fall Gala and opportunities for you to become more involved in the museum’s mission. Save the date!

Sixth, we are starting new committees to better serve and connect our members. Let me know if you are interested in learning more about our new Spanish Speaking Committee and our new Community Service Committee. The Spanish Speaking Committee is for Spanish speaking professionals and entrepreneurs to network and do business together. The Community Service Committee will assist with community outreach and provide volunteers for non-profit organizations. For more information, contact me.

Seventh, on May 25th, join Chamber Member EEA Meditation and Consulting for this highly anticipated training/ workshop as they identify mental health signs, symptoms, and trauma that individuals struggle with daily. This training/ workshop will provide an overview of common mental health diagnosis and stigmas related to each diagnosis. This engaging and interactive training will be facilitated by Dr. Patrick Crawford of Crawford Consulting & Mental Health Services. Click here to register.

Eighth, Amazon recently joined the Baltimore City Chamber and they have a variety of job openings with great pay, mobility and flexible hours. For more information, contact me and I will make a connection!

Ninth, save the date for our Chamber Holiday Party! We are planning to celebrate the year on the evening of Thursday, December 9th 2021!  Stay tuned for details.

Tenth, did you earn over $75k in 2019 or 2020? Business Owners are invited to apply for the next free Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses entrepreneur growth program at http://www.10ksbapply.com/baltimore. The application deadline is June 1st and there won’t be another cohort until 2022.

We have listed some great opportunities below! Keep reading for this week’s Events and Offers

If you are an active Baltimore City Chamber Member and you have a special offer for our Members, or if you would like to discuss Membership, schedule a call with Will Holmes at https://whc.as.me/baltimorechamber.


EVENTS

5/25/21
On May 25th, join Chamber Member EEA Meditation and Consulting for this highly anticipated training/ workshop as they identify mental health signs, symptoms, and trauma that individuals struggle with daily. This training/ workshop will provide an overview of common mental health diagnosis and stigmas related to each diagnosis. This engaging and interactive training will be facilitated by Dr. Patrick Crawford of Crawford Consulting & Mental Health Services. Click here to register.

6/1/21
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses 

Early Deadline for the next Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses cohort starting this Fall. If you’ve been in business more than 2 years, have 2 or more people in your company and your revenue is over $75k, you may qualify. Click here to apply.

6/3/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber General Membership Meeting

This event is open to all! Learn about resources for your business and opportunities to help you in your career. Register at https://whc.as.me/1stThursdays.

6/10/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber Virtual Happy Hour

Connect and meet with Chamber Members every 2nd Thursday! Wear your logo and share what you do! We have a toast every 15 minutes, so be ready to celebrate and network. Register at https://whc.as.me/2ndThursdays.

6/23/21 at 6pm
Reginald F. Lewis Museum Virtual Meet and Greet 

On June 23rd at 6pm, we will have a virtual meet and greet with the Reginald F. Lewis Museum’s new Executive Director, Terri Freeman. We’ll discuss upcoming initiatives, the Museum’s Fall Gala and opportunities for you to become more involved in the museum’s mission. Save the date!

June Summer In The City 
Details coming soon!

July Summer In The City
Details coming soon!

12/9/21
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party
Save the date!

Spring 2022
Chamber Spring Gala

 


OFFERS 

Low Interest Loans
The Maryland Minority Women Owned Business program provides loans administered by state video lottery terminal program fund managers. In Baltimore, the Meridian Management Group (MMG) is still accepting applications for this loan program that offers up to $50,000 at 0% interest in year 1 and 2% interest in years 2 through 5. Find the application here: https://mmgcapitalgroup.com/website/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Combined-App.pdf. You can also check out updates for Business Owners on the SBA Restaurant Relief Fund. For complete info, visit: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/restaurant-revitalization-fund

Need Help with Certifications? 
Do you need help applying for your local, state and federal certifications for your small business? The Baltimore City Chamber offers affordable services to help you apply for the certifications you need to compete for contracts. Contact Executive Director William Honablew, Jr. at info@baltimorecitychamber.org for full details and pricing.

For MDOT Certified Businesses 
MDOT certified businesses should learn more about the new Business Development Reimbursement Program. The BDRP is a DBE supportive service, with the goal of increasing the number of State Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms serving as prime contractors and subcontractors on federally funded contracts. The objective is to assist MDOT Certified DBE firms in increasing their competency and business capacity. Questions? Contact Lisa RS Grant, CCA, Manager, Disadvantaged Minority Business Enterprise Programs, at 410-545-0317 or lgrant2@mdot.maryland.gov.

IT Services
Chamber Member Wayne S. Stewart has an offer for state certified Minority Business Owners. Do you need help with your IT services? Wayne is offering 25% off  web design and development services to all state certified Minority Business Owners. This offer will expire Friday, May 30th. For more information please leave your contact information at this link https://sdagency.net/contact-us or e-mail Wayne at wstewart@sdagency.net.

Life Insurance 
Chamber Member John Gourdin is available to answer your questions regarding life insurance. Remember, life insurance is something you have to own before you need it. Get a free quote and approval online in less than 20 minutes. NO sales pitches. NO physicals. You can be covered TODAY. Visit www.samdlife.com.

Having a Special Event?
Backyard Movie Theaters LLC is here to make your next event movie ready and memorable. You bring the crowd, and we’ll bring the big screen, HD projector, popcorn machine, lounge chairs, inflatable rooms, streaming access, and more. Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia. Give us a call (410-419-3229) and upgrade your event.

Meditation
Chamber Member Kadampa Meditation Center-Maryland welcomes Members to a complimentary meditation and special offer. Baltimore’s only Buddhist Temple offers ancient wisdom and practical tools for taking on today’s challenges. Click here to learn more and register.

Career Training and Professional Development
Morgan State University is equipped to offer online learning convenient training solutions for businesses. Our catalog of over 300 online courses will allow you to provide training solutions to employees quickly and effectively as they learn on their own and in their preferred learning environment. Our six-week online courses are designed to teach individuals valuable skills that they can apply immediately on the job. Explore the full catalog here.

Need Medical Insurance?
Chamber Member George Faber can help you find suitable affordable medical coverage, critical illness, short term disability, dental and more!  Whether obtaining a health plan is your financial responsibility or you want to supplement an existing plan to protect your savings and family, send George a message at George.Faber@USHAdvisors.com or call (443) 474 4800. Immediate quotes provided! 

Fundraising Opportunity for Non-Profits
Does your nonprofit want to raise money AND promote cleaner air? CleanChoice Energy is seeking active 501(c)(3) organizations for the new Clean Electricity fundraising program. For each household that enrolls in 100% Clean Electricity through their campaign, CleanChoice will donate $50 to your organization. Email kathleen.wojtowicz@cleanchoiceenergy.com to learn more about this fundraising opportunity.


Talk to you next week!

Sincerely,

 Will Holmes
 Chairman of the Board of Directors
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce

 Schedule a call with me: https://whc.as.me/baltimorechamber
 Management and Tech Consulting: http://www.whcusa.com 
Check out my podcast: http://www.anchor.fm/whcusa