Harford Chamber and Partners Host Minority and Small Business Resource Fair
 

Bel Air, MD - On Wednesday, February 26th, the Harford County Chamber of Commerce hosted the Minority & Small Business Resource Fair in partnership with the Harford County Department of Economic Development and Harford County Caucus of African American Leaders. The event, sponsored by APG Federal Credit Union, was held at the Converge Center in Aberdeen.

The event featured 34 business resource vendors, 3 educational breakout sessions, and a keynote address given by Windy Deese, United Way of Central Maryland. Thank you to the event sponsors: United Way of Central Maryland, DiPaula Law, and Graphic Reflections, vendors, and partners for making this event such a success.

Natalie Pixley, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Harford County Chamber of Commerce, gave welcoming remarks. Monica Worrell, Business Banking Loan Officer at APG Federal Credit Union, encouraged small business owners to lean into their community for growth and support. Ron Fisher of the Harford County Caucus of African American leaders also shared grateful remarks for the business community’s dedication to small business equity.

Attendees included local small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Attendees visited with vendors, building their resource network and gaining personal awareness of the business resources available in Harford County and the surrounding areas. Vendors that offer small business support included: Harford County Chamber of Commerce, Harford County Department of Economic Development, Harford County Caucus of African American Leaders, United Way of Central Maryland, APG Federal Credit Union, Maryland Insurance Administration, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Town of Bel Air, Project Opportunity, Maryland LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, Har-co Credit Union, Harford County NAACP, M&T Bank, WorkPerx Employee Insurance, Truist, Niche Marketing Company, Inc., Beacon Staffing Alternatives, Inc, Graphic Reflections, LLC, U.S. Small Business Administration, Harford County Public Library, Freedom Federal Credit Union, Harford Bank, Riley Music & Sound, Skills for Kids Books, Susquehanna Workforce Network, Opulent Ladies Business Association, Jarrettsville Federal, Harford Haven Studio, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Harford County Public Schools, Hill Tech Solutions, Harford Transit LINK, Maryland Auto Insurance, and Baltimore Community Lending.
 

Attendees circulated through 3 informational sessions: Business Funding, led by Bonnie Barressi of Harford County Department of Economic Development; Connecting with Mentors & Advisors, led by Mijiza Green of Susquehanna Workforce Network and Opulent Ladies Business Association; and State Resources for Small, Minority, and Women Owned Businesses, led by Eduardo Hayden of Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs.

Windy Deese, Vice President of Public Policy & Economic Advancement for United Way of Central Maryland, gave a keynote address in honor of United Way’s 100th anniversary. In her presentation, Windy shared details of United Way’s WorkWays program with attendees. WorkWays is United Way of Central Maryland’s comprehensive employer/employee engagement program designed to transform and redefine relationships between employers and talent and create more equitable working environments. Focused on increasing retention rates, fostering professional development, and driving positive business results, WorkWays partners with employers to support employees by utilizing resource navigation, supportive community resources, and career coaching, all grounded in research and best practice models.

If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or new business owner looking for resources in Harford County, please contact the Harford Chamber at www.harfordchamber.org.

View pictures from the event here. Thank you to Harford Haven Studio and Kevin Ewing Photography for the excellent photos of the event!