Attention, entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen or gain a business foothold in inner-city neighborhoods.

This summer, Dallas will be among nine U.S. cities to host Inner City Capital Connections seminars, which coach leaders of businesses operating in inner-city communities on how to build sustainable businesses, and aid them in obtaining capital for growing their operations.

Since 2005, the organization has helped businesses secure $1.4B in capital, creating more than 12,000 jobs nationwide.

The seminars are offered at no cost to participants.

Since 2005, the organization has helped businesses secure $1.4 billion in capital, creating more than 12,000 jobs nationwide.

The Dallas seminars have graduated 35 alumni who, cumulatively, have seen an average 97 percent growth in revenue and created hundreds of jobs, according to the seminar’s parent organization, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City.

Participation in the seminars requires a substantial time commitment.

Business owners or chief executives will spend about 40 hours over a three- to six-month period completing the program’s components, which include marketing strategies, talent management, entrepreneurial finance, negotiation and the art of persuasion, and presentation skills.

Hyacinth Vassell

Those who complete the seminars will obtain actionable strategies for measuring growth, creating harmony between employees and customers, and building a team that supports business goals.

ICCC director Hyacinth Vassell said the seminars show executives how to more effectively cultivate their businesses.

“The effect on the business is that it is now able to further position itself for better long-term success, and creating jobs in the inner city,” Vassell said. “They have a better understanding of how to grow the business, so that it’s sustainable.”

Candidates for the seminars can nominate themselves, or can be nominated by others, by clicking here. The deadline for nominations is June 2. Nominees must complete application forms by June 30.

Texas companies that have successfully completed seminars in Dallas include:

Village Tea Company

Dallas-based Village Tea Company, a wholesale and retail seller of loose leaf tea. Company CEO Martin Ekechukwu has reported exponential growth, eventually struck a deal that landed his products in convenience stores across the country;

Three Brothers Bakery

Houston-based Three Brothers Bakery. Three Brothers is a fourth generation family owned business that has been operating since 1949. Husband and wife Janice and Bobby Jucker participated in ICCC in 2015, learning growth strategies and marketing their products to local business owners;

Dustin Gadberry in the ‘2016 Inner City Capital Connections Impact Report.” Click the image to view the report.

Gadberry Construction

Dallas-based Gadberry Construction, a general contracting and construction firm specializing in restaurants, hotels, historic renovations, and government work. In completing the seminars, company CEO Dustin Gadberry immediately gained actionable items to take back to his business; and

UYL Color

Houston-based UYL Color, which supplies paint and performance coatings to the automotive industry. Owner Yen Hoang participated in the seminars to help bring her family owned business into the 21st century and gained national exposure, presenting her company at the 2016 ICCC National Conference. Through working with ICCC, she has developed a partnership with a major corporation and is growing worldwide.

For more details, visit the Inner City Capital Connections website here.

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