The Office of Minority Economic Empowerment will focus and promote opportunities for all minority communities across the state through targeted programs, resources and advocates. The goal is to ensure minority enterprises have an equal opportunity to contribute to the growth of the Illinois economy and serve as an advocate for businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups in traditionally economically-disadvantaged groups.
OMEE Grants:
As part of DCEO's ongoing commitment to supporting businesses across the state, the department has issued $11 million in Minority-Owned Business Capital Grants, otherwise known as "OMEE Grants." These grants were distributed to businesses and business incubators across the state, with 20 small businesses and 12 business incubators receiving grant funds. To view a full list of grant recipients, please visit the links below.
Events
Federal Stimulus Finding Resources – OMEE Prep Webinars
Title: (Spanish – en español) Recursos de préstamos del gobierno federal
Date and Time: viernes 22 de enero de 2021 a las 10:00 AM
Description: Coorganizado por La Oficina de Empoderamiento Económico para Minorías y la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés), vamos a hablar sobre dos programas disponibles por la SBA. Cómo prepararse para solicitar PPP y cómo solicitar EIDL.
Regístrese ahora: Haga clic aquí
Title: Federal Stimulus Funding Resources – PPP Prep and EIDL for Latinx Business Owners
Date and Time: Tuesday, January 26, 2021, 2:00 PM
Description: The Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) is partnering with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to present information on two SBA programs available for businesses. We will discuss how to prepare to apply for PPP and how to apply for EIDL.
Register Now: Click here to register
Title: Federal Stimulus Funding Resources – PPP Prep and EIDL for Women Business Owners
Date and Time: Wednesday, January 27, 2021, 11:00 AM
Description: The Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) is partnering with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to present information on two SBA programs available for businesses. We will discuss how to prepare to apply for PPP and how to apply for EIDL.
Register Now: Click here to register
Title: Federal Stimulus Funding Resources – PPP Prep and EIDL for African American Business Owners
Date and Time: Thursday, January 28, 2021, 10:00 AM
Description: The Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) is partnering with Carole Harris from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to present information on two SBA programs available for businesses. We will discuss how to prepare to apply for PPP and how to apply for EIDL.
Register Now: Click here to register
Title: Online with OMEE
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 3, 2021, 10:00 AM
Description: The Business Development Managers from Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) are excited to host you for Online with OMEE – an open online conversation with all OMEE constituents (racial/ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veteran owned businesses). We will provide you with the latest updates regarding federal and state programs, share information about other resources available, and answer any questions you may have about available state or federal programs.
Register Now: Click here to register
OMEE Events
The webinars are open to everyone; however, please note that there are webinars that do target specific communities. We are working towards conducting more webinars; therefore, if you don’t see one that appeals to you below OMEE or DCEO’s Regional Economic Development office may have one for you in the near future. Feel free to contact us at CEO.OMEE@illinois.gov.
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. - Online with OMEE - The Business Development Managers from Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) are excited to host you for Online with OMEE – an open online conversation with all OMEE constituents (racial/ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veteran owned businesses). We will provide you with the latest updates regarding federal and state programs, share information about other resources available, and answer any questions you may have about available state or federal programs.
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - OMEE & Illinois SBDC Presents: ADME - Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship - How to Find Good Employees - ADME is an informative workshop experience where subject matter experts in the field of business share information with Illinois entrepreneurs in order to help them be successful. Each month we will offer a dynamic discussion on a business topic and highlight one of OMEE's focus communities. This month the discussion is hiring good people, and the highlight is MLK Day!
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. - Online with OMEE - The Business Development Managers from Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) are excited to host you for Online with OMEE – an open online conversation with all OMEE constituents (racial/ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veteran owned businesses). We will provide you with the latest updates regarding federal and state programs, share information about other resources available, and answer any questions you may have about available state or federal programs.
Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. - Online with OMEE - The Business Development Managers from Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) are excited to host you for Online with OMEE – an open online conversation with all OMEE constituents (racial/ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veteran owned businesses). We will provide you with the latest updates regarding federal and state programs, share information about other resources available, and answer any questions you may have about available state or federal programs.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - OMEE & Illinois SBDC Presents: ADME - Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship - Longevity in Business - ADME is an informative workshop experience where subject matter experts in the field of business share information with Illinois entrepreneurs in order to help them be successful. Each month we will offer a dynamic discussion on a business topic and highlight one of OMEE's focus communities. This month the discussion is longevity in business and the highlight is Black History Month!
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. - Online with OMEE - The Business Development Managers from Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) are excited to host you for Online with OMEE – an open online conversation with all OMEE constituents (racial/ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veteran owned businesses). We will provide you with the latest updates regarding federal and state programs, share information about other resources available, and answer any questions you may have about available state or federal programs.
Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. - Online with OMEE - The Business Development Managers from Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) are excited to host you for Online with OMEE – an open online conversation with all OMEE constituents (racial/ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veteran owned businesses). We will provide you with the latest updates regarding federal and state programs, share information about other resources available, and answer any questions you may have about available state or federal programs.
Wednesday, March 24, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - OMEE & Illinois SBDC Presents: ADME - Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship - Mom & Pop Businesses - ADME is an informative workshop experience where subject matter experts in the field of business share information with Illinois entrepreneurs in order to help them be successful. Each month we will offer a dynamic discussion on a business topic and highlight one of OMEE's focus communities. This month the discussion is mom & pop businesses and the highlight is 3/29 National Mom & Pop Business Day!
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. - Online with OMEE - The Business Development Managers from Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) are excited to host you for Online with OMEE – an open online conversation with all OMEE constituents (racial/ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veteran owned businesses). We will provide you with the latest updates regarding federal and state programs, share information about other resources available, and answer any questions you may have about available state or federal programs.
Wednesday, April 21, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. - Online with OMEE - The Business Development Managers from Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) are excited to host you for Online with OMEE – an open online conversation with all OMEE constituents (racial/ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veteran owned businesses). We will provide you with the latest updates regarding federal and state programs, share information about other resources available, and answer any questions you may have about available state or federal programs.
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - OMEE & Illinois SBDC Presents: ADME - Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship - Access to Capital - ADME is an informative workshop experience where subject matter experts in the field of business share information with Illinois entrepreneurs in order to help them be successful. Each month we will offer a dynamic discussion on a business topic and highlight one of OMEE's focus communities. This month the discussion is access to capital and the highlight is Arab American Heritage Month!
Regional Economic Development (RED) Events
This is a 1st Quarter Webinar scheduled for February 2, 2021 to be held in the Central, East Central, Southeast and Southwest regions. The Topic of discussion will be Business Enterprise Program. BEP
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=e525569e9f0e592d242910e58b2574466
This is a 1st Quarter Webinar scheduled for February 9, 2021 to be held in the Central, East Central, Southeast and Southwest regions. The Topic of discussion will be Advantage Illinois/FAME
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec9d9918a7a497b95cd0a4ef2c6129b9c
This is a 1st Quarter Webinar scheduled for March 9,2021 to be held for Northwest and Southern Region. The topic of discussion will be Advantage Illinois
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=m8b68b2dadaddf076074c3f681072ee34
This is a 1st Quarter Webinar scheduled for March 12,2021 to be held for Northwest Region. The topic of discussion will be EDGE Basics
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=e3acb5062f8549701d960a0e35c3cd7d1
This is a 1st Quarter Webinar scheduled for January 20, 2021 to be held for West Central Region. The topic of discussion will be Advantage Illinois
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=ede26541850e061b89caa306724f008fa
This is a 1st Quarter Webinar scheduled for March 18, 2021 to be held for North East Region. The topic of discussion will be Angel Investment Program
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=ef818d7e51b16aacb5cc1cedb429010c7
This is a 1st Quarter Webinar scheduled for January 21, 2021 21 to be held for North East Region. The event will be Virtual Job Fair
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=eaafdb3ccc1f361adda26e993e0e05a2e
This is a 1st Quarter Webinar scheduled for February 23, 2021 to be held for the North Central Region. The topic of discussions will be Advantage Illinois
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=e8e48a34cb6f85e446c06ec1060d08bcf
For information please contact:
Diana Alfaro, Latino Business Development Manager (si hablo español)
Diana.alfaro@illinois.gov
312.919.3620
Matthew J. Simpson, African American Business Development Manager
Matthew.simpson@illinois.gov
312.520.0434
Ibie Hart,
Woman’s Business Development Manager
Ibie.Hart@illinois.gov
773.951.8542
Tiffany T. Hawkins, Cannabis Loan and Grant Program Manager
Tiffany.Hawkins@illinois.gov
312.793.9702
Contact the First Stop Business Information Center Helpline at: 1-800-252-2923. Spanish speaking assistance is also available at that number.
Follow DCEO on Social Media:
Twitter: @IllinoisDCEO
Facebook: @illinoisdceo
LinkedIn: Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
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