Virtual Schools Expo

Schools Expo provides families with an opportunity to engage with representatives from early childhood programs, public, private, and Catholic schools. It is a convenient and efficient method for families to access schools that meet their needs and values. Schools Expo has become a staple in the city and an event families look forward to every year. Because of COVID-19 and the state’s restrictions, this year a scaled down virtual Schools Expo has been created. It is our sincere hope to host an in-person Schools Expo in the near future. Register at urbanleaguela.org/schools-expo-2021

Understanding the Second Round of the Paycheck Protection Program

The U. S. Treasury Department has authorized another round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), designed to assist businesses and nonprofit organizations that have faced financial challenges related to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Urban League of Louisiana has partnered with Hope Credit Union to assist clients in determining eligibility, completing the application process, and managing the loan forgiveness process. Hope is an experienced SBA-authorized lender and is ready to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations across the Deep South take advantage of this opportunity. By applying through Hope, your business may be able to tap into 100% federally guaranteed funding that will help cover up to 24 weeks of payroll expenses, including benefits, mortgage interest, rent, insurance, utilities, and other authorized expenses. Join the Urban League of Louisiana, Hope Credit Union, and the SBA Louisiana District Office on Thursday, January 28, 10:00am-11:30am for a special webinar to learn more about the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program. Attendees gain insight on eligibility requirements, required documentation and how to apply! There will also be time for Q&A. There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register today!

Capital Growth Session II: Best Practices in Securing Government Contracts

Capital access and growth are long-standing pain points of minority-owned businesses across the nation and in the Greater New Orleans (GNO) region.  Minority-owned businesses, consequentially, have been disproportionately affected during the current economic downturn. As such, Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) and the Urban League of Louisiana (ULLA) are hosting a series of virtual discussions to dissect opportunities for minority-owned small businesses to increase their ability to access capital and to create viable, sustainable ventures that create generational wealth. Government contracts can yield long-term, high-dollar opportunities.  Gaining the skills and tools necessary to secure such contracts can be critical to expanding and scaling a business, particularly in the midst of a global pandemic. This discussion will detail opportunities for minority-owned small businesses to bid on available local, state and federal procurement contracts. Presenters Jo Ann Lawrence, Deputy Director, SBA – Louisiana District Office Paula Roddy, DOTD Program Director, Compliance and Program Section, LADOTD Christina Dayries, Assistant Deputy Director, Grants and Administration, GOHSEP Noel Williams, Owner, Legacy Restoration & Referral Moderator: Jasmine Brown, Public Policy Manager, GNO, Inc. There is no cost to attend this session, however registration is required.

Capital Growth Session III: Understanding Series Funding

Capital access and growth are long-standing pain points of minority-owned businesses across the nation and in the Greater New Orleans (GNO) region.  Minority-owned businesses, consequentially, have been disproportionately affected during the current economic downturn. As such, Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) and the Urban League of Louisiana (ULLA) are hosting a series of virtual discussions to dissect opportunities for minority-owned small businesses to increase their ability to access capital and to create viable, sustainable ventures that create generational wealth. For high growth ventures to successfully launch and scale, oftentimes, results lie in the ability of these firms to engage in multiple efforts to raise capital through rounds of external funding. However, many minority entrepreneurs of color are not aware of how series funding works and how it can becomes a potential funding source for their businesses. For those that are aware, lack of education, fear of the unknown, and being equity averse to external partners makes even exploring series funding a challenge. During this webinar, small businesses will gain insights from equity investment firms on the types of businesses they seek for investment, the funding process, and the expected outcomes. This session will serve to dispel the many myths […]

Magnify Your Marketing, Session 1: How to Elevate Your Marketing Strategy

There are various marketing tactics that small business owners can use to reach and influence their target markets – events, direct mail, email, social media, content strategy, street teams, couponing, webinars, seminars, partnerships, and other activities that will help you gain access to customers. However, deploying marketing tactics without a targeted strategy can yield minimal results that do not produce a return on your marketing investment. To ensure that marketing tactics target the potential customers that you want and drive sales, entrepreneurs should develop a marketing strategy based on customer needs and buying behaviors. During this session, participants will learn how to elevate their marketing strategies by exploring the following: • Establishing your sales goals • Defining your target customer • Understanding the competitive environment • Positioning your brand for success • Developing a marketing budget • Developing a tracking system for results and ROI This session is suitable for start-up businesses, as well as existing businesses that need to revamp their marketing strategies for better results. There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered for the webinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regi.../8739504869876576527. After registering, you will receive a confirmation […]

Magnify Your Marketing, Session 2: Using Technology to Improve Customer Reach and Engagement

Growth-oriented entrepreneurs are always exploring new and innovate ways to increase customer reach and convert potential clients to actual customers. With increased competition and a surge in the need for digital marketing, entrepreneurs must understand the importance of utilizing the latest, most effective technologies to increase the number and effectiveness of its interactions with existing and potential clients. During this session, participants will learn how to determine what key processes must be improved within their marketing plans and what technologies can be leveraged to yield optimal results. This session will also address the following questions: •Why is it so important to use technology when marketing my business? •What are some of the best technologies available? •How do I go about assessing which technologies are best for my business? The following technologies will be discussed: SEO, Customer Relationship Management, Social Media Management, Email Marketing, Communications, Content Management, Advertising, Analytics, etc. There is no cost to attend this webinar; however, you must be registered for the webinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/330477324041307151. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. In order to attend, all participants must be a Certified Small and […]

Magnify Your Marketing, Session 3: E-commerce Essentials – Your Guide to Selling Online

E-commerce has become the rule, rather than the exception, in conducting business. Most entrepreneurs now find it imperative to in selling products, and even many services. During this session, entrepreneurs will learn several ways to sell products and/or services online. Attendees will learn how they can sell items through Etsy, eBay, Shopify, and more. This session will also provide attendees with information on payment and shipping choices so those who want to sell online can select the option that works best for their business. Topics discussed include: • Where and how to sell your product online • Hosted vs self-hosted ecommerce solutions • 10 Easy, Hosted Storefronts and Shopping Carts • Online Auction Sites and General Marketplaces • Free-to-List Classified-Ad Sites There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered for the webinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regi.../5217297435622094095. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. In order to attend, all participants must be a Certified Small and Emerging Business via Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development (SEBD) Program. Please note that there is no cost associated with SEBD certification, and most startups […]

Louisiana Workforce Commission Job Fair

The February 12th job fair will be filling Civil Service jobs with the Louisiana Workforce Commission for Unemployment Insurance Claims Processors. To register, visit https://urbanleaguela.org/virtual-job/

LADOTD: Developing a Winning Proposal + Construction Management at Risk + DBE Certification

Construction firms understand that hard work has to happen before a single shovel ever hits the ground during the continuous construction-bid-proposal process. Submitting effective proposals and winning bids is at the heart of what contractors do, and developing this as a core competency is critical to building a profitable and sustainable business. For general contractors, a bid-to-win rate of one out of six is standard, and many see less of a conversion rate. During this session, contractors will learn best practices for developing a competitive proposal, including: positioning the firm to move quickly on submitting bid proposals, creating a winning scope sheet, developing and offering a value proposition, and putting your plans into action. In addition, participants will gain an understanding of the Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) delivery method, which entails a commitment by the Construction Manager (CM) to deliver the project within a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), which is based on the construction documents and specifications at the time of the GMP. This session will also include an overview of the LAUCP DBE Certification, including eligibility requirements and the application process. There is no cost to attend this session, but registration is required, so register today!

Black Joy Revolution: Strategies for Bliss, Balance, and Black Excellence

NOLAYP February General Body Meeting. Join us in learning strategies for achieving bliss, balance, and black excellence! This event will be virtual via Zoom. Our featured speaker is Tyler Litt. Tyler has worked in professional roles such as analyst, instructor, consultant, coordinator, and director. She is an ambassador for the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, board member for Forum225, and the Vice President for Urban League of Louisiana Young Professionals. Register at http://bit.ly/GBMblackjoyrev

Construction Law Academy, S1: Understanding and Negotiating Contract Terms

Join the Urban League of Louisiana's Contractor's Resource Center for its 3-part, signature series, the "Construction Law Academy." It is imperative that construction contractors learn the key legal requirements that impact their business. This series will focus on understanding contract terms, partnering agreements and employment law. This series is sponsored by Chevron. Session 1: Understanding and Negotiating Contract Terms Tuesday, February 23 | 5:30-7:30p Session Presenter: Denise C. Puente - Partner at Simon, Peragine, Smith, & Redfearn, L.L.P. During this session, participants will learn some of the most common pitfalls in contract management and obtain guidance on how to avoid them through due diligence, preparation, and effective communications. Topics discussed include: Change Orders, Abandonment, Warranties, Termination, Unenforceable, etc. There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1550087507608084749. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

On The Money Tuesday: Home Buying 101

Come join in the discussion presented by the mortgage team of IberiaBank/First Horizon. Take advantage of the opportunity to get this valuable information directly from the source who also been a long time supporter of both our Urban League of Louisiana Young Professionals and Guild chapters. Looking to buy your first home? Want to know the impact of your credit score on borrowing? Can you qualify for any first time home buyers program? Want to learn what lenders look for? For Answers to these and other questions, register to participate in our next On the Money Tuesday virtual session on February 23rd at 6pm. It will be held via Zoom and pre-registration is required. There are limited spots available so please register early. You don't want to miss it! Register today!