MABCC Schedules Events, Partners In “Counting Us Initiative”

The Mobile Area Black Chamber of Commerce (MABCC) recently announced its next event, being held on Zoom, with Sidney King, CEO and president of Commonwealth National Bank. King will discuss credit, banking relationships and more on February 20 at 10-11:30 a.m. Those interested are asked to RSVP by texting “MONEY” to 251-244-9946. For inquiries, email MABCC or call it at 855-962-2262. Founded in 2019 by board members Deryl Pendleton (independent insurance agent and Ararat Business Services of Mobile owner), Michele Wilson (retiree of a 30-year career in the retail industry), Maria Lloyd (owner of marketing firm Management 24 in Jackson, Mississippi) and Alonzo McCants (owner of Prime One Investment LLC in Mobile), it also holds its general body meetings every fourth Wednesday of each month, with lunch, at 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Hank Aaron Stadium. It is free for members and $10 for the public. A speaker is always present. This month’s speaker is Sydney Raine, president of the Southwest Alabama Partnership for Training and Employment.
Additionally, MABCC Board Chairman Leavie D. King, III said the chamber recently became a major partner with the City of Mobile in the Counting Us Initiative, designed by IGNITE! of Birmingham. The grant-funded operation is to pull together different entities throughout the state to count minority owners for the next three years by sending surveys to identified businesses each quarter. Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, will compile the data, which will be used to determine the resources and programs local minority business owners need most. Resources from the federal, state and local governments will be allocated once the study is complete.