The San Joaquin Community Foundation received a $263,258 Open for Business Fund grant from Wells Fargo to collaborate with the African American Chamber of Commerce of San Joaquin as they help address the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on local minority-owned small businesses.
Through their San Joaquin Businesses Overcoming Obstacles with Support services and Technology (SJ BOOST) program, the Chamber provides a cohort of business with a full suite of business development services including business readiness assessments, training, web-based business development, peer networking, service provider partnerships, coaching, and more.
Stories of Impact
Chantelle Faison, Owner of Rainbow Velvet Café
Chantelle has reaped confidence, business visibility, increased sales, advertising opportunities and as she often adds “SUPPORT!” by being a part of the African American Chamber of Commerce. She credits the training, acceptance and support she has received for turning her from a discouraged and defeated business owner in the wake of COVID-19 into a happy, energetic, and vibrant entrepreneur.
Alfred Gross, Owner of Things, Things, and More Things
Alfred was recently able to move his business from the African American Chamber of Commerce incubator to a retail store building in downtown Stockton with more than triple the square footage. The training he has received through SJ BOOST has been critical to making this transition successful, allowing him to operationalize a new Point of Sale (POS) system and learn about how technology can boost his business operations as Things, Things, and More Things continues to expand its inventory and staff.
