July - August 2020 | Insights to Opportunity
www.houstontx.gov/obo | Page 6
CALENDAR OF EVENTS to talk about this City of Houston grant program that awards up to $50,000 to small business owners and chambers of commerce. Registration is required at https://www.eecoc.org/events.
Virtual Pre-Certification Workshop: 2 p.m. Tuesdays. This free workshop addresses certification requirements, procedures, and provides business owners with information on how to do business with the City of Houston. Registration is required at https://www.houstontx.gov/ obo/registrations.html. OBO certifies Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprises (MWSBE), Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprises (PDBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), and Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBE). Virtual Business Education Workshops: Weekly through Sept. 29. Topics will cover Starting a Business, Business Financials, Personal and Business Credit, Pitching Your Business, Access to Capital and best practices for businesses in the Service, Product and Innovation categories. Workshops are part of the Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition, and are also free to the public. Go to www. liftoffhouston.smapply.org to register and to see times and dates.
Turner School of Construction Management: 5:30-8 p.m. Mondays beginning September 21. This eight-session program is designed to enhance the technical and managerial skills of small contractors and entrepreneurs in the construction industry. Registration and acceptance are required. Application is open now at tinyurl.com/TSCM2020 or contact Dr. Porscha Jackson at Porscha. Jackson@houstontx.gov.
East End Chamber of Commerce Houston Small Business Economic Relief Program Webinar: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14. OBO Director Marsha Murray will join Houston Business Development Inc. President/CEO Marlon Mitchell
Access Granted Small Business Resources Webinar - Houston’s Small Business Economic Relief Program : 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27. Learn about the City’s $15 million grant program for small businesses and chambers of commerce. Register at tinyurl.com/accessgranted7 or call Dr. Porscha Jackson at 832-393-0935.
WHO WE ARE
DIRECTOR: City’s grant program championed by OBO Continued from page 1 headed the development of the City of Houston’s Small Business Economic Relief Program, which provides grants of up to $50,000 to local businesses in need. In addition, understanding that a strong business support ecosystem is essential to your development, we have opened up this grant program to local chambers of commerce who were financially impacted by COVID-19. While there may be a strong desire to hunker down during this crisis and focus your attention on local opportunities, I want to remind you
about the role the global marketplace can play in the growth and success of your business. In this issue, we take a look at how Houston-area businesses can navigate the global arena through trade partnerships, business to-business relationships as well as exports. Lastly, I encourage you to stay healthy and safe, and to continue to prioritize the health and safety of your employees and customers. Sincerely, Marsha E. Murray Director, Houston OBO
Marsha E. Murray was appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner and confirmed by City Council to serve as the Director of the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) in April 2020, after having served as OBO’s Interim Director.
Insights to Opportunity is produced by the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO). OBO is committed to cultivating a competitive and diverse economic environment in the City of Houston by promoting the success of small businesses and developing Houston’s workforce, with special emphasis on historically underutilized businesses and disenfranchised individuals. Executive Editors Marsha E. Murray, Esq. Lalla V. Morris, Esq. Managing Editors Pearl K. Cajoles Enzo Mungu Copy Editor Dr. Porscha Jackson Contributing Writers Niyonsaba Magnifique Brianna Maxwell Any information in this newsletter does not constitute the Office of Business Opportunity’s endorsement of any business or organization. If you have a story idea, e-mail pearl.cajoles@houstontx.gov. Follow @HoustonOBO on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and @HoustontxOBO on YouTube.
