{"id":1842,"date":"2021-07-01T17:12:04","date_gmt":"2021-07-01T17:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=1842"},"modified":"2021-07-01T17:12:04","modified_gmt":"2021-07-01T17:12:04","slug":"toledo-african-american-chamber-of-commerce-hosts-an-in-person-gathering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/01\/toledo-african-american-chamber-of-commerce-hosts-an-in-person-gathering\/","title":{"rendered":"Toledo African American Chamber of Commerce Hosts an In-person Gathering"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tim Clark, Roy Hodge, Ty Boyd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sojourner\u2019s Truth Staff<\/p>\n

The Toledo African American Chamber of Commerce hosted a meet and greet on Friday, June 25 for Chamber members and guests at the newly constructed Glass City Metropark.<\/p>\n

The attendees had an opportunity to network, nibble on snacks and listen to presentations from Chamber President Roy Hodge, Workforce Development Committee Chairman Tim Clark, Women of Toledo President Nina Corder and Metroparks Matt, along with several up-and-coming entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome years ago, the feedback about the Chamber was \u201cI didn\u2019t know there was a Black Chamber,\u201d said Hodge opening his remarks.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore recently, we heard \u2018I didn\u2019t know but now I do know but I\u2019m not sure what they do,\u2019\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

However, considering the effort the TAACC has made in the last two years to market its operation and to construct committees that focus on education, development and training, according to Hodge, the membership has increased, funding has increased by over 150 percent and the narrative now is \u201cI know what they do and I want to be a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hodge spoke of the work the various Chamber committees \u2013 Education and Workforce Development; Government Affairs; Legal and Financial Services; Membership and Events \u2013 are engaged in, as did Clark who heads the Workforce Development Committee.<\/p>\n

Hodge also spoke of the partnerships that TAACP has developed, with groups such as Women of Toledo, LISC, Toledo Lucas County Port Authority, Assets Toledo, The Toledo Lucas County Library, Metroparks, and so forth.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to make sure you are not out there alone,\u201d said Clark to the Chamber members in attendance.<\/p>\n

The Chamber\u2019s emphasis for those members with or without experience in running their businesses is to connect entrepreneurs to partners \u2013 inside and outside of the organization, to mentors and mentees, to each other.<\/p>\n

According to an African proverb that Hodge quoted: \u201cIf you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.<\/p>\n