Greetings,
 
Welcome to September, a month that kicks off the fall season. Soon many of us will switch from normal coffee creamer to pumpkin spice latte flavor, trade in our summer themed face masks for the muted colors of fall, and experiment with a fall themed Zoom call backdrop.

Fun seasonal quirks aside, there is no denying that as we move into another calendar season during this pandemic, we will inevitably be faced with even more challenges to overcome as we re-write what is "normal" in our Central Florida business practice.

This is all the more reason to lean on The Chamber. Our team is working very hard to bring new and beneficial virtual events and learning opportunities to our members as well as visibility to all Central Florida Black owned establishments.

Please take a moment to explore and sign up for some of the events and opportunities below.

Tanisha Nunn Gary
President & CEO AACCCF
Wishing the best of luck to Sheena Jackson, former AACCCF Program Manager!

It is bittersweet for us to announce that after Friday, September 11th, our Program Manager, Sheena Jackson, will no longer be working for the Chamber. She will be moving on to new opportunities, that we are excited to see her embrace!

Sheena has been with the Chamber since 2018. As soon as she arrived, she hopped into the unknown and embraced every challenge with an uplifting spirit and a can-do attitude. She has helped to shape many of the innovations and efficiencies that we have adopted over the past couple of years, and we wouldn't be where we are right now without her.

Please join us in wishing Sheena farewell and the best of luck in her new endeavor!
LET'S NETWORK
Have you joined an AACCCF Leads Group yet?

Did you know? Joining a Leads Group is a great way to make business connections in a non-competitive atmosphere with professionals in your area! AACCCF is proud to have two different groups: Kissimmee and Seminole County.
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP.
Login to the MIC

Have a Member to Member Deal that you want advertised? Hosting an upcoming event? Want to see what other members are up to? Login to the Member Information Center (MIC) to connect with the AACCCF community and share all of your company updates.
WELCOME MEMBERS:
MEMBER DEALS
Secily Wilson
"She Said the P Word"
This month's Business Spotlight, Secily Wilson, is offering a discount on her book. AACCCF Members can email Secily for $5 off a signed or unsigned copy!
Florida National News
AACCCF Member Exclusive!
Currently offering any small business with 25 employees or less free video ad spots during our shows.
Small Business CPA Packages by Heidi Haye
AACCCF Member Exclusive!
Packages Starting at $100
BID OPPORTUNITIES
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Business Spotlight: Secily Wilson

This month's business spotlight shines on Veteran Broadcast Journalist turned Author and Public Speaker, Secily Wilson. We asked her our favorite questions to learn more about who she is and why she joined the African American Chamber of Commerce ...
Spirit Airlines backs social justice and civil rights organizations.

Miramar, Fla. – Spirit Airlines is pledging $250,000 worth of airline travel to nine organizations across the country that advocate for civil rights and social justice. One of them being the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida!
SEPTEMBER 29 | 9:00AM
Coffee with the President

Join us for a conversation between AACCCF President Tanisha Nunn Gary and special guest Pamela Gibbs from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
SEPTEMBER 29|6:00 PM
V.O.T.E
Virtual Guide On The Election.

Come hear from your Orange County and Seminole County Supervisor of Elections!
This is an important election year so we'll be going over the details of: 
  • Voting by mail 
  • Voting in person in the covid era 
  • Constitution amendments that you will see on your ballot discussed by attorneys!

ADDITIONAL DETAILS & REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
OCTOBER 26 | 8:00AM Inaugural Golf Outing

Come out to play or learn how to play golf at the Player Development Clinic, all while networking with other professionals.

Sponsorship opportunities still available!
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Seminole Cares Small Business Grant Now Open!

The online portal for Seminole CARES Small Business Grants opened today at 10:00a.m. Business owners in Seminole County could receive between $5,000-15,000, depending on zoning and number of employees.
 
Two hotlines to assist applicants:
  • The Small Business Grant Hotline- (877) 298-3539
  • The Individual Assistance Grant Hotline-(877) 330-1818
Orange County Government launches program to curb evictions

Orange County, Fla. – In an effort to help curb the onslaught of possible evictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the County’s COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Program at today’s Board meeting. The $20 million program will launch on August 25, 2020.
Subcontractor Outreach Program
Learn more about subcontracting opportunities from General Contractor, RC Stevens, for a planned development in partnership with Lift Orlando.

For more information, contact Tom Mikels at [email protected] or call (321) 281-5302.
SEPTEMBER 17 | 6:00PM FREE LEGAL FORUM: CHILD SUPPORT AND FAMILY LAW

The Orange County Clerk of Courts invites you to attend the next virtual edition of our Legal Matters Forum – Child Support and Family Law. This forum will provide information and answer questions about child support. Featured topics will include a roles and services overview of the Clerk’s Office and the Department of Revenue, a perspective from a judge, and an interactive question and answer panel. 
SEPTEMBER 19 and 26 | 9:00AM OUC's COMMUNITY ASSIST TREE GIVEAWAY

OUC, in partnership with the Orlando Magic, is donating one tree to community members for every assist the Orlando Magic makes during the 2019-2020 season. The exclusive tree giveaway will take place on two Saturdays in September.
SEPTEMBER 25 | 9:00AM DOING BUSINESS WITH ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (OCPS)

Learn more about OCPS opportunities and Processes.

If you have any questions, please contact OBO Staff at [email protected] or 407-317-3739.
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Minority Scholarship opportunity
NAWBO has an amazing opportunity for a scholarship for next month's virtual Women's Business Conference.  This opportunity is open to any Woman-Owned Minority Business, with preference given to women 45+.  
Employers Association Forum (EAF) releases 2020 Florida Wage & Salary Excerpt
 
The Employee Association conduct surveys to provide trend data to it's members. This year's survey shows the average pay rates, hiring rates, and college hiring rates for various career fields.
Hello, Dolly! | Aug 27 - Sep 27, 2020

Full of humor, romance, and exquisite dancing, this blockbuster hit features some of the greatest songs ever written for the theatre, from “Before the Parade Passes By,” “Put On Your Sunday Clothes,” and “It Only Takes a Moment” to the irresistible title song, “Hello, Dolly!” Presented by Bob and Dianna Duffy.

To best protect your health, we have implemented physically-distanced seating for most of our season. We have reduced the number of tickets sold each showtime for Hello, Dolly!, Ugly Lies the Bone, Matilda the Musical, A Class Act, and A Raisin in the Sun. We plan to fully seat the theatre beginning with Beauty and the Beast.  For our Health & Safety Policy, please go to https://www.gardentheatre.org/about/plan-your-trip/?.
Graham Leak Branding (GLB) is now offering branded solutions for safety and protection
Census 2020 Update

Data from the 2020 Census will aid in the distribution of billions of dollars in federal funds each year that support education, health care, emergency services, housing and food assistance and more.
 
Starting next week, Census workers will begin visiting households that have not responded to the census to help ensure that everyone is counted. Members of your community can minimize the need for census takers to follow up in person by responding to the census now (Online, by Phone or by Mail).
Florida Technical wins multiple awards

The Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges named Florida Technical College the 2020 Institution of the Year. In addition to taking home the top award, FTC also claimed the Graduate of the Year Award, won by Angela Salazar and the Educator of the Year Award, won by Eddy Jorge, Dean of Academic Affairs at the Pembroke Pines campus....