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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
SMALL BUSINESS AWARENESS MONTH AND HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE AUSTIN AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS NETWORKING ASSOCIATION (AAABNA) AND PROFESSOR STEVEN ROGERS
WHEREAS, May is recognized nationally as Small Business Awareness Month, a time to celebrate and uplift the vital role of small businesses in our economy and communities; and
WHEREAS, small businesses make up 99.6% of all businesses in Illinois and employ over 2.4 million people, fueling innovation, job creation, and local investment; and
WHEREAS, the Austin community on Chicago’s West Side is home to a growing ecosystem of Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs who contribute to the cultural and economic vibrancy of the region; and
WHEREAS, the Austin African American Business Networking Association (AAABNA) has been a leading force in empowering Black business owners through networking, advocacy, technical support, and neighborhood revitalization, strengthening local commerce and generational wealth-building in the Austin community; and
WHEREAS, Professor Steven Rogers, former Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School and a proud Chicago native, has been a national voice for Black entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, shedding light on disparities in access to capital and the transformative potential of Black-owned enterprises; and
WHEREAS, Cook County supports local entrepreneurship through strategic investments, including the Small Business Assistance Program, the Grow Grant, and efforts to ensure equity in procurement and contracting for Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses (M/WBEs); and
WHEREAS, building a stronger economy requires acknowledging and uplifting organizations like AAABNA and thought leaders like Professor Rogers, whose work helps challenge systemic barriers and expand opportunities for historically underserved communities; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by President Toni Preckwinkle and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby recognize May as Small Business Awareness Month in Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that special recognition is given to the Austin African American Business Networking Association (AAABNA) and Professor Steven Rogers for their leadership in advancing equity and economic mobility through entrepreneurship; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be shared with AAABNA and Professor Rogers as an expression of Cook County’s deep appreciation for their continued commitment to inclusive economic development.
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