U.S. Department of Labor Hosts Opportunity Conference for Minority Entrepreneurs, Community and Faith-Based Organizations
Labor Department Conference Draws More Than 1,000 Attendees
PHILADELPHIA – Asian Pacific American, African
American and Hispanic and small business owners, non-profits and faith-based
organizations gathered in Philadelphia on Oct. 17 for the fourth annual U.S. Department
of Labor Opportunity Conference. The conference was started
in 2003 and is sponsored by an array of groups including the League of
Latino United Citizens (LULAC), the Urban League and the Pan Asian- American
Leadership Caucus.
“The Opportunity
Conference provides traditionally underserved communities with
networking, skills enhancement and training opportunities to help them access
opportunities in mainstream America including contracting opportunities in
the federal government,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.
“Small business owners, veterans who are business owners and leaders of
faith-based and community organizations will find the Opportunity
Conference especially valuable.”
Attendees learned
about a range of subjects including:
-- How to gain access to capital
for starting a business.
-- Partnership opportunities for
faith based and community organizations.
-- How to become eligible for the
Government Services Administration-approved contractor list.
-- How a business can become
certified as an 8A minority small business.
-- Minority homeownership.
The U.S.
Department of Labor has a number of initiatives to assist growing
communities. They include enhancing the opportunity for small and
minority-owned businesses to contract with the department and giving immigrant
communities access to Department of Labor worker protection materials by
publishing them in a variety of languages including Spanish, Chinese,
Vietnamese and Korean. The department has also reached out to
Historically Black Colleges and Universities to help the African-American community
learn about new opportunities in high-growth sectors.
The event also
was sponsored by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Top Ladies of Distinction Inc.,
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and the National Association of Black
Accountants Inc.
Caption: U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao greets U.S. Senator Rick Santorum at the Department of
Labor’s 4th Annual Opportunity Conference in Philadelphia.
|