Urban League of Louisiana

Introduction to UDA ConstructionOnline
2023-09-20 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Urban League of Louisiana HQ, 4640 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70119, United States
The latest evolution of UDA’s top-rated online construction management software, ConstructionOnline 2023, delivers hundreds of new updates and enhancements, alongside world-class construction estimating, scheduling, and project management solutions – optimized to deliver meaningful ROI to professional construction companies.
Join us on Wednesday, September 20, 9:00am-12:00pm, at Urban League of Louisiana, 4640 S. Carrollton Avenue, Suite 110, New Orleans, LA 70119.
During this session, participants will learn how ConstructionOnline 2023 can power your company’s success, including how you can:
Stand out from the competition with unlimited styling options for fully customized proposals from the brand-new OnPoint™ Proposal Wizard
Track profits, delays, and more at-a-glance with the latest information through Project Health Dashboards
Power-up project schedules with SmartLink™ – connect Schedule Tasks & To Dos to provide the ultimate in detail and direction for your team
Get detailed insights into predicted cash inflow and outflow with new TrueVision™ Cash Flow Reports
Find what you’re looking for in a flash with the new, platform-wide Search, Filter, and Sort options
Optimize efficiency and avoid mitigate conflicts with ResourceTrak™ and enhanced trade-based resource management
This workshop will be facilitated by Frank Johnson, III, Senior Business Advisor and Contractor Specialist at the Urban League of Louisiana. Laptops are required for this session.
There is no cost for the event, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your seat!
https://introtoUDAconstruction_sept2023.eventbrite.com

Built to Last - S2: Pricing for Profit
2023-09-20 17:30 - 20:00 | Best Western Plus Westbank, 1700 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA, 70058, United States
Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation this September for “Built to Last: Uncovering the Financial Potential of Your Small Business”. Sessions take place September 18th, 20th, 25th, and 27th, 5:30pm-8:00pm, at the Best Western Plus Westbank, 1700 Lapalco Blvd, Harvey, LA, 70058. This special series is sponsored by the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program in collaboration with the National Urban League.
Now, more than ever, small businesses have an opportunity to re-imagine, re-position, and re-charge their business models and operations towards becoming more scalable, agile, and resilient.
One of the major challenges that most small businesses face is knowing how to properly price its products and services to ensure increased sales and profitability. While there are several factors to consider, such as understanding your customers, costs, and competition, it is imperative that entrepreneurs “do the work” to determine their optimal pricing strategy.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
– Types of pricing strategies for service-based and product-based businesses and when to use them
– How to actually know when it’s time to increase your prices
– The profit-building way to offer incentives without discounting
– During this session, small businesses will learn key strategies and tactics to guide them in positioning and pricing their products and services for profit.
Facilitator: Desiree Young, Founder, VentureWalk
Space is limited. Register today to reserve your seat!
https://builttolast-s2_sept2023.eventbrite.com

Built to Last - S3: Revenue Models and Metrics
2023-09-25 17:30 - 20:00 | Best Western Plus Westbank, 1700 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA, 70058, United States
Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation this September for “Built to Last: Uncovering the Financial Potential of Your Small Business”. Sessions take place September 18th, 20th, 25th, and 27th, 5:30pm-8:00pm, at the Best Western Plus Westbank, 1700 Lapalco Blvd, Harvey, LA, 70058. This special series is sponsored by the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program in collaboration with the National Urban League.
It is imperative that small businesses implement the right revenue model to support their business goals. A revenue model lays out the process by which your business makes money. It is a system design in which a business makes money from the solutions, products and services that it provides – all of which provides value to your customers.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
– The importance of implementing the right revenue model
– Types of revenue models
– How to diversify your revenue streams
– During this session, small businesses will learn the importance of implementing the right revenue model, types of revenue models, and how to diversify your revenue streams.
Facilitator: Lori Jackson, Financial Literacy Coach, MSC Coaching
Space is limited. Register today to reserve your seat!
https://builttolast-s3_sept2023.eventbrite.com

Clean Energy Career & Resource Fair
2023-09-27 10:00 - 12:30 | Tulane Memorial Baptist Church, 3601 Paris Avenue, New Orleans, LA, United States

Built to Last - S4: Leveraging Financial Resources for Growth
2023-09-27 17:30 - 20:00 | Best Western Plus Westbank, 1700 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, LA, 70058, United States
Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation this September for “Built to Last: Uncovering the Financial Potential of Your Small Business”. Sessions take place September 18th, 20th, 25th, and 27th, 5:30pm-8:00pm, at the Best Western Plus Westbank, 1700 Lapalco Blvd, Harvey, LA, 70058. This special series is sponsored by the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program in collaboration with the National Urban League.
As your business grows, identifying and leveraging the right financial resources is critical to long-term growth and sustainability. Small businesses must become financially savvy and learn which resources to utilize to support small business growth. Whether you need equity or debt funding, or whether you should tap into a traditional bank or a CDFI, financial support can be a game-changer in your entrepreneurial journey.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
– How to leverage financial resources
– Best practices in accessing financial resources
– Insights into financial metrics to track and monitor
– During this session, you will gain insights on how to develop a financial strategy and plan of action to build operational leverage, flexibility and financial sustainability.
Facilitator: Lori Jackson, Financial Literacy Coach, MSC Coaching
Space is limited. Register today to reserve your seat!
https://builttolast-s4_sept2023.eventbrite.com

Creating a Business Development Plan for Your Construction Business
2023-09-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
Join the Urban League of Louisiana on Thursday, September 28, 10:00am-11:30am, for “Opportunity and Preparation: Creating a Business Development Plan for Your Construction Business”. This virtual session is a part of a series of monthly events in collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s DBE Supportive Services program.
Business development in construction management refers to a strategic and actionable plan for pursuing new business and fostering relationships with your most preferred clients. Your business development plan outlines how you identify prospects, share your capabilities, and nurture business relationships so that prospects become clients when the time is right.
Business development is strategic integration of marketing, sales and customer service efforts. It also is most successful when everyone in the business understands and works towards a common goal for bringing on new business.
During this session, contractors will learn how to increase profitability and scalability, by creating and managing a business development strategy – one that maximizes its strengths and experience and one that targets and converts its most preferred client types. The goal is to convert prospects to clients and to turn bids into awards!
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3164995230254917466

The Big Health Event
2023-10-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Raising Cane’s River Center, 275 S River Rd LA, Baton Rouge, 70802
The Urban League of Louisiana presents the Big Health Event along with presenting sponsor Ochsner Health. This event will promote health and wellness for adults and children to positively impact families in Louisiana.
This unique health and wellness experience will offer something for the entire family including:

The MOVEMENT ZONE featuring aerobics, Zumba, yoga, and more!
The KIDS ZONE featuring activities for children!
COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS by local chefs!
CANDID CONVERSATIONS featuring experts on topics including mental health, body positivity, medical issues, and more!
HEALTH SCREENINGS for adults and children!
CAREER AND SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES in healthcare!

and much, much more!
Register at https://thebighealtheventbatonrouge.eventbrite.com/

Wealth Building Wednesdays: Building, Repairing, and Improving Your Credit
2023-10-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Virtual
Join Urban League of Louisiana for Wealth Building Wednesdays! This monthly webinar series is designed to provide communities across Louisiana with insights, tools, and practical steps to develop healthy financial habits, become financially independent, effectively manage risks, and chart a pathway towards generational wealth creation. Sessions take place on Wednesdays each month, 6:00pm-7:30pm. Register today to reserve your spot… and share with a friend or family member!
One of the most critical factors in obtaining a home mortgage, a small business loan, a car loan, or any other type of loan is a healthy credit score and credit history. Whether you are building credit for the first time, repairing bad credit, or simply improving your credit score, taking the necessary steps to get your credit in a good place could mean the difference between loan approval or denial.
Join Urban League of Louisiana for “Wealth Building Wednesdays: Building, Repairing, and Improving Your Credit” on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 6:00pm-7:30pm, online. During this session, representatives from Chase will provide attendees with essential steps for getting your credit in order. Don’t let fear, anxiety, and procrastination stop you from preparing yourself to access capital.
Featured Speakers:
– Diana Holmes, Community Manager, J.P. Morgan Chase
– Jarrett Woods, Vice President and Sr. Business Consultant, J.P. Morgan Chase
Take the first step and join us for this informative webinar! There is no cost to attend. However, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2245051444869472857

Using AI to Transform Your Social Media Presence
2023-10-25 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual
Using AI to Transform Your Social Media Presence
Join the Urban League of Louisiana on Wednesday, October 25, 12:00pm-1:30pm, online, to learn how AI can transform your business’ social media presence! From automated content creation to competitor analysis, discover how AI tools and techniques are revolutionizing the digital world.
During this session, Cliff Worley, Senior Director of Portfolio Growth Marketing at Kapor Capital, will provide insights on how entrepreneurs can leverage AI to:
– Produce realistic audio content to strengthen podcasts, music, and voiceovers
– Reshape visual storytelling through enhanced videos, from deepfakes to automated editing
– Automate content creation, striking a balance between efficiency and authentic storytelling
– Craft stunning visuals for design, art, and branding
– Boost social media engagement with content suggestions tailored to user behavior and preferences
– Provide in-depth competitive analysis and insights into market trends to support strategy development
Register today to explore these topics and to see live demos of cutting-edge tools that can help you explore the exciting intersection of AI and social media! There is no cost to attend. However, registration is required. Register today to reserve your seat!
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3202187312192699226

Developing an Effective Capabilities Statement
2023-10-26 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
Join the Urban League of Louisiana on Thursday, October 26, 10:00am-11:30am, for “Developing an Effective Capabilities Statement”. This virtual session is a part of a series of monthly events in collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s DBE Supportive Services program.
With an increase in the number of viable contractors available to support public and private projects, contracting across the region is now more competitive than ever. However, the critical factors are the same. Procurement leads need to understand your capabilities, your value proposition, cost competitiveness, and how well you have performed on previous projects. But, with a sea of contenders, these elements need to be even more clearly and effectively conveyed than ever before.
As a contractor, your capability statement serves as your business card and should set your apart from your competitors. It is a tool that will show potential clients how your achievements, core competencies, accreditations, financial health, and experience will create value for their projects. During this interactive workshop, participants will learn the key components of a capabilities statement and will be given guidance on crafting these elements to fit their business model and offerings.
There is no cost to attend. However, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7602793486826396503

2023 Veterans Small Business Breakfast and Resources Summit
2023-11-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Urban League of Louisiana HQ, 4640 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70119, United States
The Urban League of Louisiana (ULLA) is pleased to host its 2023 Veterans Small Business Breakfast and Resources Summit in celebration of National Veterans Small Business Week (October 30 – November 3).
During this event, ULLA will shine a light on veterans entrepreneurship across the state of Louisiana by sharing the many resources that are available to veterans and their spouses in starting and growing a business.
This year’s event is sponsored by AARP and hosted in collaboration with the SBA LA District Office, the Veterans Business Outreach Center – Mississippi State University, and Louisiana Economic Development.
The event will take place on Friday, November 3, 9:00am-12:00pm, at the Urban League of Louisiana, 4640 S. Carrollton Avenue, Suite 110, New Orleans, LA 70119. Breakfast will be served.
Veterans and their spouses are invited to attend. Register today to reserve your spot!!
https://2023_ulla_vets_smallbiz_summit.eventbrite.com

Wealth Building Wednesdays: Estate Planning in Generational Wealth Creation
2023-11-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Virtual
Join the Urban League of Louisiana for Wealth Building Wednesdays! This monthly webinar series is designed to provide communities across Louisiana with insights, tools, and practical steps to develop healthy financial habits, become financially independent, effectively manage risks, and chart a pathway towards generational wealth creation. Sessions take place on Wednesdays each month, 6:00pm-7:30pm. Register today to reserve your spot…and share with a friend or family member!
According to Black Enterprise, nearly 70% of Black Americans don’t have an estate plan or a will which leaves families in financial and emotional limbo when they pass on. Whether you have achieved your wealth goals or are still in the process, not having an estate plan is a surefire way to diminish the value of your assets and cut the line of wealth that could pass on to your family.
Whether a business owner or individual, it is urgent and imperative to create a plan that will allow you to pass on your business and/or other assets down through generations. A proper estate plan will also ensure the financial security of your family in case you become incapacitated.
Join the Urban League of Louisiana for “Wealth Building Wednesdays: The Urgency of Estate Planning in Protecting Generational Wealth” on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 6:00pm-7:30pm, online.
During this session, Halima Narcisse and Warren McKenna, Attorneys at Law, McKenna Narcisse, LLC, will provide insights and take questions related to:
– Demystifying the estate planning process
– For individuals: Protecting your assets with wills, trusts, powers of attorneys and other estate planning considerations
– For Small Business Owners: Operating agreements, partnership agreements, and bylaws that dictate what happens to the business should an owner die or become incapacitated
– Steps that you can take now to get your estate plan in order
This session is hosted in collaboration with the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce.
Register today for this informative and interactive session! Please come prepared with questions.
There is no cost to attend. However, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7545794804041792350

Opportunities Outlook Quarterly Convening for DBE Contractors
2023-11-09 09:00 - 11:00 | Urban League of Louisiana HQ, 4640 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70119, United States
As an extension of the Urban League of Louisiana’s (ULLA) annual “Opportunities Outlook for DBE Contractors”, join us on Thursday, November 9th, 9:00am-11:00am, for the “Opportunities Outlook Quarterly Convening”. These quarterly, in-person meet-ups will feature three procurement officers and/or prime contractors who will provide participating DBEs with updates on bid opportunities, as well as, required steps and best practices for doing business with these organizations. These sessions will also provide an opportunity for more direct networking between DBEs and procurement officers and/or primes.
The event will take place at the Urban League of Louisiana, 4640 S. Carrollton Avenue, Suite 110. Breakfast will be provided.
This quarter’s featured speakers and organizations include:
– Robin Reed, Project Lead, Supplier Diversity, Entergy Services, LLC
– Sarah Busch, LEED AP, Vice President of Operations, Landis Construction
– Lori A. Barthelemy, Director, Office of Supplier Diversity, City of New Orleans
There is no cost to attend. However, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!!
https://opp_outlook_qtrly_nov2023.eventbrite.com

Walmart Black Women in Retail Marketplace and Cohort 1 Graduation
2023-11-14 16:00 - 20:00 | The Southern Food & Beverage Museum, 1504 OC Haley Blvd., New Orelans, LA, 70113, United States
Tuesday, November 14
Sponsored by Walmart, Mastercard, New Orleans & Company
The Southern Food & Beverage Museum, 1504 OC Haley Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70113 | 4:00pm-8:00pm
Join the Urban League of Louisiana as we celebrate the inaugural cohort of its Black Women in Retail Accelerator Program in collaboration with the National Urban League and sponsored by Walmart. This year the program supported 10 Black, women-owned retail businesses from across Louisiana with industry-specific coaching, mentoring, and training. The program also provided direct assistance for obtaining small business certifications, assistance with bidding on contracting opportunities, and leadership development training.
Register today to join us for this inaugural celebration of the following members of the Urban League of Louisiana’s Black Women in Retail Accelerator Program:

Sherilyn Hayward, Leroy’s LipSmack’n Lemonade
Tiffany Brown, Wicks Nola Candle Company
Natashia Paul, Chuupul Leather
Paige Alexander, L’Jai Amor
Keishia Deverney, Element Beverage
Jacqueline Arvie, Jax’s Creole Kitchen
Laportia Cooper, Nola Botanical Tea
Julie Vaucresson, Creole Made Easy
Joyce Galmon, Joyce’s Sweets Inc.
Brittney Hawkins-Dobard, Nola Cookie Co.

2023 WEW Welcome Reception + Women in Business Pitch Competition
2023-11-15 16:30 - 20:00 | The Cannery, 3803 Toulouse Street, New Orleans, LA, 70119, United States
Sponsored by First Horizon, AARP, and Chevron
Join the Urban League of Louisiana for a celebratory welcome reception as we kick-off our inaugural Women’s Entrepreneurship Week and host our annual “Women in Business Pitch Competition: Scale Up!”.
In its 11th year, this annual pitch competition features four finalists who will pitch their plans to grow and scale for a chance to win $10,000. During the event an esteemed panel of judges will be tasked with determining the winner based on effectiveness of the pitch presentation, scalability of the business model, and proposed use of award funds.
Complimentary h’orderves will be served. Cash bar. Register today to reserve your spot!

Women’s Entrepreneurship Week: Hope2Women Summit
2023-11-16 08:30 - 16:30 | Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70113, United States
Sponsored by First Horizon, AARP, Mastercard, Chevron, and UPS The WEW: Hope2Women Summit is hosted in collaboration with the Association of Women’s Business Centers. Powered by the network of Women’s Business Centers across the United States, Hope2Women creates additional pathways for women entrepreneurs to access customized learning opportunities, expert coaching, peer networks, and other targeted programs needed to successfully start and grow their businesses. Join the Urban League of Louisiana as we host a full-day of content curated just for women entrepreneurs! This will be a day filled with a host of dynamic speakers, workshops, networking opportunities, and resources-sharing. The cost to attend is $100/person + fees. Each ticket includes admission to all plenary and breakout sessions, breakfast (opening plenary), and lunch (plenary luncheon). Register today to reserve your spot!
Opening Plenary + Breakfas

8:30am-10:00am: Breakfast Buffet Open
9:00am: Welcome Remarks
9:30am-10:30am: The State of Women-owned Small Businesses

Christina Hale, Assistant Administrator, Office of Women’s Business Ownership, SBA
Sima Ladjevardian, Chair of the National Women’s Business Council
Phala K. Mire, President & CEO, Women’s Business Enterprise Council – South
Janea Jamison, Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration, Region 6 Advocate
Moderator: Corinne Goble, President & CEO, Association of Women’s Business Centers

10:30am-10:45am: Networking and Transition

Breakout 1 – 10:45am-11:45am Sessions

Pitch to Win: Becoming Your Brand’s #1 Ambassador

Desiree H. Young, Founder and CEO, VentureWalk Business Partners

Bid to Win: Developing Your Skills to Bid and Win Government Contracts

Courtney Elzey, Principal, MCDS, LLC

Market to Win: Best Practices in Content Marketing for Your Business

Irene Wambui Muchai, Business Development Director, Online Optimism
Tiffany Langlinais, Principal, Freret Napoleon

11:45am-12:00pm: Networking and Transition

Plenary Luncheon

12:00pm: Welcome Remarks
12:15pm-12:40pm: AWBC Advocacy Updates
12:40pm-12:45pm: Introduction of Guest Speaker
12:45pm-1:45pm: Special Guest Speaker
1:45pm-2:00pm: Networking and Transition

Breakout 2 – 2:00pm-3:00pm Sessions

Connect to Capital Louisiana: Resources for Women Entrepreneurs

Small Business Lending Representative, First Horizon
Kelly Raney, Business Development Manager, Business Incentive Services, Louisiana Economic Development
Kathy Saloy Senior Vice President, Community & Economic Development, Hope Enterprise Corporation| Hope Credit Union
Moderator: Dr. Carla Antoine, Director, Small Business Support Services, ULLA

Export Dat!: Resources for Women Entrepreneurs

Reginald G. Harley, Export Finance Manager, Office of International Trade, U.S. Export Assistance Center, U.S. Small Business Administration
Erin Butler, Acting Regional Director (LA, TX, AZ, NM, CO, WY), U.S. Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
Moderator: Elizabeth Kensel, Business Advisor, ULLA

Get in the Know to Grow: Resources for Women Entrepreneurs

Moderator: Shari Taylor, Director, Women’s Business Resource Center, ULLA

3:00pm-3:15pm: Networking and Transition

Closing Plenary

3:15pm-4:00pm: Women & Wealth: Strategies for Economic Empowerment and Resilience
4:00pm-4:30pm: Closing Remarks
4:30pm: Adjourn

Crew Management: Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining an All Star Team
2023-11-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
Join the Urban League of Louisiana on Tuesday, November 28, 10:00am-11:30am, for “Crew Management: Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining an All Star Team”. This virtual session is a part of a series of monthly events in collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s DBE Supportive Services program.
2023 is expected to yield an increase in public and private construction projects across the U.S. This is great for the industry, however, this also means that small business contractors must be prepared for the competitive landscape that is sure to impact how you recruit, hire, and train a best-in-class crew.
It is critical that owners have a strategic plan to efficiently manage and retain your field crew. This is essential to staying on budget and on schedule, and can lead to increased profitability. During this session, construction managers and owners will learn how to build a foundation for a successful field crew which requires processes, discipline and the proper resources. This session will dive into best practices for recruiting, hiring, developing, managing, and retaining an all-star team!
This class will be facilitated by Courtney Elzey, Principal, MCDS, LLC.
There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9192058377862641241

UDA ConstructionOnline 2023
2023-11-30 09:00 - 13:00 | Urban League of Louisiana HQ, 4640 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70119, United States
The latest evolution of UDA’s top-rated online construction management software, ConstructionOnline 2023, delivers hundreds of new updates and enhancements, alongside world-class construction estimating, scheduling, and project management solutions – optimized to deliver meaningful ROI to professional construction companies.
Join us on Thursday, November 30, 9:00am-1:00pm, at Urban League of Louisiana, 4640 S. Carrollton Avenue, Suite 110, New Orleans, LA 70119. During this session, participants will learn how ConstructionOnline 2023 can power your company’s success, including how you can:
– Stand out from the competition with unlimited styling options for fully customized proposals from the brand-new OnPoint™ Proposal Wizard
– Track profits, delays, and more at-a-glance with the latest information through Project Health Dashboards
– Power-up project schedules with SmartLink™ – connect Schedule Tasks & To Dos to provide the ultimate in detail and direction for your team
– Get detailed insights into predicted cash inflow and outflow with new TrueVision™ Cash Flow Reports
– Find what you’re looking for in a flash with the new, platform-wide Search, Filter, and Sort options
– Optimize efficiency and avoid mitigate conflicts with ResourceTrak™ and enhanced trade-based resource management
This workshop will be facilitated by Frank Johnson, III, Senior Business Advisor and Contractor Specialist at the Urban League of Louisiana. Laptops are required for this session.
There is no cost for the event, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/730674315547?aff=oddtdtcreator

Bidding to Win + Construction Management at Risk
2023-12-07 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
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
– Putting your plans into action.
In addition, participants, will gain an understanding of the Construction Manager 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.
There is no cost to attend. However, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2370258330093916000

Bid to Win: Developing Your Skills to Bid and Win Contracts
2024-01-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Join the Urban League of Louisiana for its new “WIN Series for Entrepreneurs”. This 4-part series is designed for aspiring and existing small business owners who are looking to develop key entrepreneurial skills that can be leveraged to start, grow, and scale their business. This series is sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program.
Bidding on public and private contracts can be a game changer for small businesses. However, the goal is to win and leverage these contracts to increase operational and financial capacity, create new jobs, and become a scalable business.
During this session, participants will gain insights on how to successfully bid on public and private contracting opportunities. This session combines best practices for “bidding to win” with real life examples used to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the bidding process.
Designed for new and seasoned contractors, this session will provide a roadmap to executing successful bid strategies, leading to increased business opportunities and improved organizational outcomes.
This session will be facilitated by Courtney Elzey, President and CEO, MCDS, LLC.
This series is sponsored by the Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program. To participate, attendees must be or become certified through the LED Small and Emerging Business Development Program. Visit https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/small-and-emerging-business-development-program to get certified today!
There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!

QuickBooks Online – Session 2: Everyday Transactions and Financial Reports
2024-01-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Virtual
As a business owner, having your financials in order is the most important step to running your business effectively and profitability. Now is a great time to get your accounting system and processes set up the right way! Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Women’s Business Resource Center for its 3-part series to learn the foundations for setting up QuickBooks online, managing everyday transactions and financial reports, and the key concepts and tasks that you must know for ongoing maintenance.
During this session, participants will learn how to process transactions QuickBooks Online. As a business owner, this is imperative in understanding your sales and expenses, and managing your cash flow.
Participants will learn:

How to customize invoices
Create sales receipts
Receive and pay money

For those that sell products, this session will also cover how to use QuickBooks Online to track inventory and sales taxes.
This series is sponsored by Mastercard and Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program. To participate, attendees must be or become certified through the LED Small and Emerging Business Development Program. Visit https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/small-and-emerging-business-development-program to get certified today!
Course Facilitator: Lori Jackson, MSC Financial Services.
There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!

Wealth Building Wednesdays: Preparing Your Kids for Financial Success
2024-01-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Virtual
Join the Urban League of Louisiana for Wealth Building Wednesdays! This monthly webinar series is designed to provide communities across Louisiana with insights, tools, and practical steps to develop healthy financial habits, become financially independent, effectively manage risks, and chart a pathway towards generational wealth creation. Sessions take place on Wednesdays each month, 6:00pm-7:30pm. Register today to reserve your spot…and share with a friend or family member!
In the quest to achieve generational wealth, many find it difficult to change bad habits, let alone teach their kids the road to financial fitness. However, teaching kids basic money management skills is a great way to give them a head start financially and can set them up for a bright future!
There are many healthy habits, tools, and resources that you can teach your kids at any age about money management including:

Understanding how credit works
Managing debt
Developing a savings plan
Spending wisely
Optimizing earnings
and budgeting effectively

During this session, learn a few key steps that you can incorporate into your family’s daily habits to set your kids up for future financial success! This session will be facilitated by Ricardo D. Thomas, ChFEBC, RFC®, Financial Consultant, THOMAS-WADDELL & Associates.
There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!

Market to Win: Best Practices in Content Marketing for Your Small Business
2024-01-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Join the Urban League of Louisiana for its new “WIN Series for Entrepreneurs”. This 4-part series is designed for aspiring and existing small business owners who are looking to develop key entrepreneurial skills that can be leveraged to start, grow, and scale their business. This series is sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program.
Businesses today compete in an ever-evolving landscape, and must constantly stay on top of the most relevant and effective marketing strategies and tactics that can build brand awareness and grow your audience. This means developing a deep understanding of your target audience and using tools that create user experiences that will convert and retain the most profitable customers.
During this session, participants will learn from three women leaders in marketing and brand management about the trends that are shaping how small businesses market their products and services, including:

Best practices in building brand equity
Understanding and leveraging consumer behavior
Interactive content marketing
Omnichannel marketing
Other content marketing strategies

Facilitator: Tiffany Langlinais, President & CEO, Freret Napoleon
This series is sponsored by the Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program. To participate, attendees must be or become certified through the LED Small and Emerging Business Development Program. Visit https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/small-and-emerging-business-development-program to get certified today!
There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!

QuickBooks Online – Session 3: Ongoing Accounting Tasks and Maintenance
2024-01-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Virtual
As a business owner, having your financials in order is the most important step to running your business effectively and profitability. Now is a great time to get your accounting system and processes set up the right way! Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Women’s Business Resource Center for its 3-part series to learn the foundations for setting up QuickBooks online, managing everyday transactions and financial reports, and the key concepts and tasks that you must know for ongoing maintenance.
During this session, participants will be guided through a deeper understanding of the reporting process in QuickBooks Online and how to set up your Chart of Accounts for optimal clarity into your business financials.
Participants will learn:

How to run the three primary financial reports (income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows)
How to read these reports
How to reconcile accounts
How to create custom fields to track income/expenses

Attendees will also learn how to run other reports that are specific to your business that will help with optimizing operations.
This series is sponsored by Mastercard and Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program. To participate, attendees must be or become certified through the LED Small and Emerging Business Development Program. Visit https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/small-and-emerging-business-development-program to get certified today!
Course Facilitator: Lori Jackson, MSC Financial Services
There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!

Opportunities Outlook Quarterly Convening for DBE Contractors
2024-01-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Urban League of Louisiana HQ, 4640 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70119, United States
Join the Urban League of Louisiana for its signature “Opportunities Outlook Quarterly Convening”. These quarterly, in-person meet-ups feature procurement officers and/or prime contractors who will provide DBEs and other diverse businesses with updates on bid opportunities, as well as, required steps and best practices for doing business with their organizations. These events also provide an opportunity for more direct networking between DBEs and procurement officers and/or primes.
The event will take place at the Urban League of Louisiana, 4640 S. Carrollton Avenue, Suite 110. Breakfast will be provided.
This quarter’s featured speakers and organizations include:

Paula Roddy, DOTD Program Director, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
Lauren Marshall, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Woodward Design + Build
Jean-Marc Villain, System Director of Supplier Inclusion & Community, Ochsner Health
Paige Adams, Director, Business Development – Member Diversity Offerings, Vizient, Inc.

There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!

Price to Win: Developing a Profitable Pricing Strategy
2024-01-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Join the Urban League of Louisiana for its new “WIN Series for Entrepreneurs”. This 4-part series is designed for aspiring and existing small business owners who are looking to develop key entrepreneurial skills that can be leveraged to start, grow, and scale their business. This series is sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program.
One of the major challenges that most small businesses face is knowing how to properly price its products and services to ensure increased sales and profitability. While there are several factors to consider, such as understanding your customers, costs, and competition, it is imperative that entrepreneurs “do the work” to determine their optimal pricing strategy.
During this session, small businesses will learn key strategies and tactics to guide them in positioning and pricing their services for profit.
Attendees will learn:

The 4 types of pricing strategies for service-based businesses and when to use which ones
How to actually know when it’s time to increase your prices
The profit-building way to offer incentives without discounting

This session will be facilitated by Desiree Young, Founder and President, VentureWalk Business Partners and WinFish.
This series is sponsored by the Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program. To participate, attendees must be or become certified through the LED Small and Emerging Business Development Program. Visit https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/small-and-emerging-business-development-program to get certified today!
There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!

Pitch to Win: Becoming Your Brand’s #1 Ambassador
2024-02-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Join the Urban League of Louisiana for its new “WIN Series for Entrepreneurs”. This 4-part series is designed for aspiring and existing small business owners who are looking to develop key entrepreneurial skills that can be leveraged to start, grow, and scale their business. This series is sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program.
In this highly competitive, digital age of social media, digital marketing, and now even AI, building brand equity through compelling connections and storytelling can take your brand to new heights, especially for smaller, younger brands who are just getting their footing.
A great brand ambassador is someone who understands what your brand stands for, who believes in your brand and is thrilled to spread the word. As your business’ founder and the product’s creator, you should be your brand’s number one ambassador.
During this session, you will learn:

How to identify your unique communication style and how to use it to inform AND influence
The art of story and how to use it to sell, tell and show results
How to deliver concise answers to “What do you do and What can you do for me?” that create compelling conversations and close deals

This session will be facilitated by Desiree Young, Founder and President, VentureWalk Business Partners and WinFish.
This series is sponsored by the Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program. To participate, attendees must be or become certified through the LED Small and Emerging Business Development Program. Visit https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/small-and-emerging-business-development-program to get certified today!
There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!

Start Up! Louisiana (9-Session Virtual Series)
2024-02-17 10:00 - 2024-04-13 12:30 | Virtual
Get the Help You Need to Start Your Business the Right Way!
Ready to get started? Classes will take place on Saturdays, February 17 – April 13, 10:00am-12:30pm. There is no cost to attend this series. All classes will be held online via the GoToTraining online platform. Please note that this is a multiple-day training series and cannot be split.
Have you recently started your own business and realized that you need help? Are you unsure if you have explored all of the tools and resources needed to ensure your success? Would you like more in-depth assistance with your business planning? If so, Start Up! Louisiana is for you!
Start Up! Louisiana is a 9-session, entrepreneurial training program that teaches new entrepreneurs how to launch their business ventures the right way. This series provides best practices for how to build a solid business foundation that ensures success.
Topics covered focus on developing your entrepreneurial mindset, starting lean, understanding business financials, and how to effectively market to your target customer. Participants also receive individual business counseling and access to other support services and resources needed to successfully launch and grow!
This series is sponsored by the Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program. To participate, attendees must be or become certified through the LED Small and Emerging Business Development Program. Visit https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/small-and-emerging-business-development-program to get certified today!
Start Up! Louisiana 2024 Class Schedule

Saturday, February 17 | Session 1: Becoming an Entrepreneur
Saturday, February 24 | Session 2: The Lean Start-up Model
Saturday , March 2 | Session 3: Understanding Business Financials
Saturday, March 9 | Session 4: The Customer Decision Journey
Saturday, March 16 | Session 5: Marketing Your Business
Saturday, March 23 |Session 6: Exceptional Customer Service
Saturday, March 30| Session 7: Forecasting 101
Saturday, April 6 | Session 8: Preparing to Access Capital
Saturday, April 13 | Session 9: Start Up! Louisiana Plan of Action

If you should have any questions, please email us at WBRC@UrbanLeagueLA.org.
There is no cost to participate, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!

Scale Up! Louisiana - Lafayette
2024-02-27 17:30 - 2024-04-23 20:00 | Downtown Convention Center, Lafayette, 124 S. Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA, 70501, United States
Scale Up! Louisiana is a statewide, community-based, entrepreneurial education intensive hosted by Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. This program provides early-stage, women- and minority-owned firms with the education and resources needed for scalability and profitability.
This cohort of the Scale Up! Louisiana program is specifically designed to support businesses in Lafayette and surrounding areas, and is sponsored by First Horizon and Louisiana Economic Development. This program is also funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
In order to participate, entrepreneurs must commit to a hybrid business education program that is delivered via:

4, 2.5-hour In-Person Class Sessions (Sessions 1, 4, 9, 10)
6, 2.5-hour web class sessions, and
5, 45-minute pre-recorded web sessions.

Participants must also commit to utilizing additional resources and services to support their business outside of curriculum, including: counseling sessions, technical assistance, business plan assignments, and meetings with an assigned business advisor.
Classes will take place February 27-April 23, 2024 with a hybrid schedule. Sessions 1, 4, 9, and 10 will take place in-person on Tuesdays, 5:30pm-8:00pm, at the Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. All other sessions will take place on Fridays, 9:30am-12:00pm, virtually.
Eligibility Criteria: In order to participate, small businesses must:

Be located in Lafayette and surrounding parishes an in operation for at least 2 years
Have at least $30,000 in documented revenue for the previous tax year
Have a desire to scale
Have access to the internet and a computer with a camera at home

In addition, eligible business owners must be or become certified through the LED Small and Emerging Business Development Program.
Up to 30 business owners from the Lafayette area will be selected. Participants will be chosen based on 1.) the applicant’s ability to meet the eligibility requirements; 2.) the growth potential of the business; and 3.) the applicant’s desire to learn and grow in an interactive, online environment.
This series is sponsored by the Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program. To participate, attendees must be or become certified through the LED Small and Emerging Business Development Program. Visit https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/small-and-emerging-business-development-program to get certified today!
Applications are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 16.

Energy Apprenticeship Career & Resource Expo
2024-02-28 10:00 - 15:00 | Urban League of Louisiana HQ, 4640 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70119, United States
Join us for an Energy Apprenticeship Career & Resource EXPO in partnership with the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Louisiana Community & Technical Colleges System.

Learn about future opportunities for education and training related to clean and renewal energy and hydrogen jobs. Talk directly with employers who are hiring and the institutions providing training to help you join the energy workforce. Visit https://urbanleaguela.org/energy-apprenticeship-expo-2024/ to register to attend!
