African American Chamber relaunched

COATESVILLE >> Residents, business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders gathered this week in Coatesville to discuss efforts to support minority business growth and development with state Senator Andy Dinniman.

Dinniman spoke to about a dozen residents in attendance at the Chester County African American Chamber of Commerce’s business seminar on Saturday at Trinity United Bible Church in Coatesville.

“It is great to see residents and volunteers breathing new life into the Chester County African American Chamber of Commerce and working to help fellow entrepreneurs and others succeed on their path to the American dream,” he said. “After all, when businesses succeed economically, they improve the tax base, and bring jobs and add to the quality of life in our communities.”

The group discussed the importance of a strong personal credit history, establishing a business line of credit, starting an LLC, and the differences between for-profit and non-profit organizations, among other topics.

Dinniman talked about available state grant funding opportunities and ins and outs of applying and competing for state government contracts.

The meeting marked the official “reboot” of the Chester County African American Chamber of Commerce, which was originally started in the early 1990s.

Allen Tyrone Smith, the group’s treasurer, said several of the elders who led the original organization drove the movement to revitalize efforts in reaching out to the next generation of minority entrepreneurs and business leaders.

“We’re trying to jumpstart things in Coatesville and there’s a wealth of resources that are already here,” he said. “Our elders have passed the torch to spur business and economic development not just in Coatesville but for minority businesses throughout the greater Chester County area.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO State Sen. Andy Dinniman meets with board members of the Chester County African American Chamber of Commerce during the organization’s first business seminar at Trinity United Bible Church in Coatesville. Pictured from left to right are: Donald Trammell, chairman; Dinniman; Allen Smith, treasurer; Davida Washington, public relations and finance chair; and Rodger J. Johnson, president. Not pictured: board members Kenneth Lewis and Denise Smith.