CONNECT. GROW. PROMOTE.
Supporting entrepreneurs & small businesses for 20 years
EMPOWERMENT
ABOUT: ENCORE
ENCORE is a Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce Initiative started in September 2020 to strategically assisted Black Businesses and Black Entrepreneurs re-open, re-establish or re-cover from business and revenue loss due to the economic effects of COVID-19.
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
IN MISSOURI, IOWA, KANSAS, & NEBRASKA
There is a great need to help establish black businesses in the four-state regions. Based on current economic and education trends, it is evident there is enormous potential for a business resource program (incubator) to expand its role. This can be achieved by participating in community economic development within the context of emerging as a catalyst to bring business services for black business entrepreneurs to the forefront.
Today Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce continues the mission set by Mr. Tombs. We have taken his mission and expanded it to reach the four Midwest Region 7 states (Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, & Kansas, aka MINK). We are intentional in our focus and advocacy to connect, grow and promote black businesses in and around this region.
MISSION
OUR MISSION
Our team strives to provide committed and visionary leadership and advocacy in the realization of economic empowerment. Through the creation of partnerships, resources, and initiatives, we aim to support entrepreneurs, community concerns, and business organizations in developing and growing Black enterprises.
RESIDENT PLATFORM
Our resident platform provides your direct connection to the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce. As a member of the HBCC, you have the opportunity to market your business to consumers visiting the HBCC website.
AREAS WE SERVE
Missouri
Iowa
Kansas
Nebraska
OUR GOAL
At HBCC, our goal is to advocate and lobby on behalf of members. We focus on establishing programs and partnership opportunities for them to expand their resources.
WHY
WHY SUPPORT A MINORITY CHAMBER
There is a great need to help establish small minority businesses in the four-state regions. Based on current economic and education trends, it is evident there is enormous potential for a business resource program (incubator) to expand its role. This can be achieved by participating in community economic development within the context of emerging as a catalyst to bring business services for minority business entrepreneurs and women business entrepreneurs (M/WBE) to the forefront.
Research confirms that during the past 15 years, there have been many changes in our nation’s economy that impact local economies. Employment growth has shifted from manufacturing to services. And while small businesses account for much of the United States’ job growth, start-up businesses have a failure rate of 80 percent during their first four years of operation. With increased importance placed on small firms, the reduction of this failure rate has become the focus of many developers and federal programs. Minority chambers offer one method for reducing this high failure rate.
ABOUT KANSAS CITY BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Mr. Leroy Tombs founded the Kansas City Black Chamber of Commerce in 2004. Tombs gained prominence as the owner of Tombs & Sons, which held federal contracts to provide food and maintenance services for military bases throughout the country. The Kansas Black Chamber (KBCC) is committed to developing and strengthening black businesses in the State of Kansas. It is the goal of KBCC to provide resources to connect new and existing businesses to resources that promote prosperous growth. This growth will enable us as individual owners, and as a chamber to support our community.
JOURNEY
THE JOURNEY
- In 2005 the KBCC officially opened and hosted a grand opening with over 500 businesses and community participants.
- Membership within the chamber has grown to approximately 200 members, with 40% plus registered as a minority and disadvantaged businesses. In May 2012, the KBCC gained national support by becoming a member of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. KBCC provides leadership with national support through various systems. → Urban business enterprise.
→ Procurement and construction contracting.
→ Professional development.
→ Employment training.
→ Workplace guidance.
→ Leadership development. - On September 28, 2012, the KBCC launched the Urban Business Enterprise Center (UBEC). The UBEC is an incubator program dedicated to the development of M/W/DBE in Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.
- In 2013, the KBCC became a Workforce Investment Act provider for the State of Kansas, which delivers industry-specific workforce training in the areas of customer service and construction.
- On April 28, 2015, the KBCC made a significant move to become a regional chamber and announced its new business name, the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce. With a new name and brand, national connections, and state affiliations, we can further our efforts of nurturing minority businesses and helping unemployed people.
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