NGO Funding Request


The recipient entity's full legal name:  MONROE REGIONAL BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC

The recipient entity's physical address:
           300 Washington St. Suite 322
Monroe, La 71201


The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           PO Box 8073
Monroe, La 71203


Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Corey Jack

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  8687

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $100,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Executive Director - Kenya Roberson - 116 Glenwood Dr. Monroe, La 71203
Board Members:
Sonya Jacobs (President) - 348 Music Rd Monroe, La 71203
Rick Saulsberry (Vice President) - 3514 Desiard St Monroe, La 71203
Marsha Andrews (Secretary) - 305 Zachary Way Sterlington, La 1280
Abram Calhoun (Treasurer) - 2610 Washington St. Monroe, La 71201
Breshatta Davis - 200 Hudson Ln Suite 5 Monroe, La 71201
Herb Guillory - 1801 Woodhaven Dr. Unit A Monroe, La 71201
David Wooley - 510 South 7th St. Monroe, La 71202
E J Maxwell - 1500 North 19th St. Tower Place Suite 21 1500 N. 19th St. Monroe, La 71201
Elijah Brass - 1317 North 6th St. West Monroe, La 71291


Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Covid-19 pandemic decimated the African-American business community resulting 40% of those businesses closing indefinitely. The Monroe Regional Black Chamber of Commerce has made it a top priority to not only sustain the firms that remain but also help them grow and thrive. We will use the grant to provide webinars, training and hands-on technical assistance to ensure women and other disadvantaged businesses have the certifications (DBE, WBE, SBE, MBE, Hudson Initiative, HubZone), licensure, and credentials necessary to become more viable. Our focus will be on connecting these firms to government and corporate contracting opportunities as we are acutely aware that government and corporate procurement are major economic drivers in our community.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000
          Professional Services. . . $55,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $23,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $6,000
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $2,000

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The Covid-19 pandemic decimated the African-American business community resulting 40% of those businesses closing indefinitely. The Monroe Regional Black Chamber of Commerce has made it a top priority to not only sustain the firms that remain but also help them grow and thrive. We will use the grant to provide webinars, training and hands-on technical assistance to ensure women and other disadvantaged businesses have the certifications (DBE, WBE, SBE, MBE, Hudson Initiative, HubZone), licensure, and credentials necessary to become more viable. Our focus will be on connecting these firms to government and corporate contracting opportunities as we are acutely aware that government and corporate procurement are major economic drivers in our community.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Our focus will be on connecting these firms to government and corporate contracting opportunities as we are acutely aware that government and corporate procurement are major economic drivers in our community. It is the objective of our Chamber to assist small socially and economically disadvantaged business to become fully competitive and viable business concerns. This will allow them to be in a greater position to compete for federal, state, and local contracting.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           12 months

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 DOES NOT APPLY
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 DOES NOT APPLY

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 0

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  DOES NOT APPLY

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               DOES NOT APPLY

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               DOES NOT APPLY

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                DOES NOT APPLY

          What is the nature of the relationship?  DOES NOT APPLY

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 DOES NOT APPLY

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               DOES NOT APPLY


Contact Information
name:  KENYA ROBERSON 
                                       address:  116 GLENWOOD DR. MONROE, LA 71203
                                       phone:  3182354840
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  admin@mrbcc.org
                                       relationship to entity:  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR