From the BBC Executive Director: 

The Black Business Council is a venue under the umbrella of the Chamber for minority Businesses to seek opportunities for education, partnerships and networking.  As the Director of the BBC, I worked diligently to develop relationships with other business professionals who shared the same vision; providing tools and empowerment that would impact the success of the black business community.  Many professionals shared my beliefs and, in just one year, the BBC membership grew to an unprecedented level never before achieved in the history of the Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce. 

The mission of the Black Business Council is to provide for the economic empowerment of black owned and other minority businesses with leadership and integrity.  To date, BBC members have created a network paradigm; through educational seminars and networking opportunities such as the “Business-After-Hours”, these professionals have increased and promoted business referrals as well as impacted their businesses bottom line.  Several members of the BBC have also been appointed to City and County leadership positions, demonstrating the synergistic relationships between the Black Business Council and the business community in Osceola County. Over the past 3 years business owners belonging to the BBC have won awards in the annual Osceola County Business awards.  In 2005 Terrel Dennis with ACTELL Elderly Care, Inc. won the award for small business of the year. In 2006 Don Fryson with Ecard Coporation won the award for new business of the year. Finally in 2007 Greg Clayton with Beacon Technology Enterprise Corp also won the award for new business of the year. We are very proud to have such a great example of successful businesses in the BBC.

The Black Business Council is most noted for the annual Rhythm & Blues Festival, one of the County’s largest and well-attended outdoor social gatherings.  For the past eight years, this extraordinary event held at the Kissimmee Lakefront, marks the celebration of Black History month.  Local talent, merchants and business owners are invited to participate, representing the BBC’s commitment to business owners as well as the community at large. 

For more than ten years, the Black Business Council has been a viable resource for its members and offers an exclusive opportunity to become a part of one of the leading business organizations in the county.  Come be a proud member of the Black Business Council and join the professional business owners making a difference in your community.  Please review the website for further information and upcoming events.  I personally invite you to join us at the next general meeting, which is held the third Tuesday of every month.  We look forward to meeting with you and working towards our common goals of economic empowerment and collective business success! For more information please feel free to contact me at 407-847-3174 Ext. 232

Sincerely, 
Marie A. Jones

Executive Director