US Labor Secretary Marty Walsh’s Visit to Greenwood Women’s Business Center

Greenwood Chamber of Commerce hosted the US Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh on Thursday, February 9th. The Labor Secretary met local business owners and Dr. Freeman Culver of GCC as well as visited the historical Tulsa Black Wall Street.

Mr. Marty Walsh later attended an event at Greenwood Women’s Business Center to get a better understanding of ground realities for local Black-owned businesses and convey the findings to SBA Administration to improve the situation.

The in-camera event went on from 9:00 AM-1:30 PM and included a round table session with panelists.

The Secretary of Labor’s Visit and Meet and Greet

The US Labor Secretary met community leaders and visited the historical Back Wall Street that was once home to the richest African American community. However, countless people lost their livelihoods, homes, and precious lives in the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.

Despite the tragic riots happening more than a century ago, black business owners still struggle due to the uneven playing field. The purpose of inviting Mr. Marty Walsh to Tulsa was to bring to light the struggle of local businesses and promote a better economic environment.

Marty Walsh with the first black elected Mayor in the US, Lela Foley-Davis of Taft, Oklahoma

The meet and greet session was followed by a panel discussion.

Panel Discussion Session

Greenwood Women Business Center arranged a panel discussion event to bring to light the opportunities and challenges facing women-owned businesses.

USBC’s Alisa Joseph welcomed guests followed by a presentation about SBA with the SBA Oklahoma’s Acting District Director, Fernanda Pedraza Schmitt. Kaci Coutee, the Director of Micro Lending & Client Services represented TEDC.

Angela K. Chambers hosted the informative Women Business Owner roundtable session. The Vice President of NAACP Tulsa#6143 and Business Contracting Consultant of GCC moderated the discussion session with panelists that focused on minority women's businesses.

The prominent local business owners discussed the issues women entrepreneurs face in establishing, running, and growing their businesses.

A major issue raised during the panel discussion was the importance of updating SBA rules. Minority businesses often fail to qualify for resources due to their circumstances. Consequently, their finances suffer, resulting in diminishing cash flows and limited growth opportunities.

LeRinda Pfister represented Greenwood Women’s Business Center and shared its goals, services, and focus. Also, Kaci Coutee shared how TEDC and other organizations are helping small businesses with structuring to improve their prospects of qualifying for loans and grants to ensure better access to resources.

LeRinda Pfister of GWBC

The event was attended by US Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, GCC President Freeman Culver, LeRinda Pfister of GWBC, Angela K. Chambers and Francetta Mays of NAACP Tulsa, Alisa Joseph of USBC, Sharina Perry of Upotia Plastix, Donna Jackson, Heather Nash, Carol Ainsworth, and more. Moreover, the first Black Mayor in the US, Lela Foley-Davis of Taft, Oklahoma also joined and met the Labor Secretary.

US Secretary of the Department of Labor, Marty Walsh

Heather Nash, Carol Ainsworth, Angela K. Chambers, and Francetta L. Mays

Sharina Perry of Upotia Plastix engaging with Mr. Marty Walsh

An Effort to Support Local Businesses

From lack of information and financial resources to challenges in accessing funding, women-owned businesses face a myriad of challenges. Therefore, the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce invited and hosted Labor Secretary Marty Walsh to bring these issues to the knowledge of concerned authorities.

The SBA Tour Stop event with GWBC highlighted women-owned businesses. Further, the discussion shed light on the specific challenges for women entrepreneurs and the need to address those issues to grow the local economy.

Plans are underway to create a plan to collectively challenge the decision makers to implement opportunities for small businesses, in particularly those owned by black women. As Wanda J. Armstrong owner of Evelyn's and Wanda J's Next Generation stated, "Don't' give me equal opportunity but give me the opportunity to be equal." It is very important for those in power making the decisions for small business owners should be or have been small business owners themselves, be able to pivot as all of the women in attendance has to do frequently and create rules and governances that really allow small businesses to operate and thrive.

Connect with the Greenwood Women's Business Center, Center Hours: Mon - Fri 10:00am - 5:00pm, Address: 102 N Greenwood Ave., Ste. 200, Second Floor, Tulsa, OK 74120 Phone: (539) 867 - 4127 or email: info@greenwoodwbc.com

For more information about this article or our services, email us 918ladybusinessblogger@gmail.com

Connect on Facebook