Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15th through October 15th, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s Office of Minority Economic Empowerment celebrates the accomplishments and the cultures of Hispanics. DCEO-OMEE will be hosting a series of events to celebrate the month.

Below are the events DCEO will be hosting in either English or Spanish:

Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., “Access to Capital”
– We will be discussing financial resources for your business. To register please visit: gr.pn/hhmcapital.

  • Hosted by: DCEO, Groupon, LULAC Illinois and in partnership with Hispanic Chamber of Lake County (HCLC) and The Latino Round Table of Southwestern Illinois.

(Spanish Webinar) Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., “Access to Capital” – We will be discussing financial resources for your business. To register please visit: https://bit.ly/2QMZ42Y.

  • Hosted by: DCEO and LULAC Illinois and in partnership with Hispanic Chamber of Lake County (HCLC) and The Latino Round Table of Southwestern Illinois

(en español) jueves, 17 de septiembre de 2020 a las 9:00 a.m., “Acceso a Capital” – Hablaremos de recursos financieros para su negocio. Para registrarse visitehttps://bit.ly/2QMZ42Y. Folleto adjunto.

  • Coorganizado por DCEO y LULAC de Illinois en alianza con HCLC y Latino Round Table for Southwestern Illinois

(Spanish Webinar) Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., “SBDC Assistance & Best Practices for Business Owners” – Free assistance for business owners and discussion on best practices for businesses. To register please visit: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec44db572a4e019d8cf5c6f02dca41a53

  • Hosted by: DCEO and Illinois SBDC Network

(en español) miércoles, 23 de septiembre de 2020 a las 10:00 a.m., “Asistencia de Centro de Desarrollo de Pequeñas Empresas (SBDC por sus siglas en inglés) y Mejores Prácticas para Propietarios de Empresas” – Asistencia gratuita para propietarios de empresas y diálogo sobre mejores prácticas para propietarios de empresas. Por favor regístrese aquí: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec44db572a4e019d8cf5c6f02dca41a53
Alojado por DCEO y Red SBDC de Illinois

Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 3:00 p.m., “OMEE Grant: Best Practices” – We will be discussing best practices for applying for state grants, specifically, OMEE grant. To register please visit: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=eeee454aec05b5a5ea612ef491fb86752

  • Hosted by DCEO-OMEE and Office of Accountability

Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 4:00 p.m., “Equity in Film: Latinx Perspectives” – We will be discussing equity in film. To register please visit: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=e2f9a0ed3b4b16fef0845c55b6322ff94

  • Hosted by DCEO-OMEE and DCEO Film Office

Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., “The Brank of U & How to Work It” – from you as an individual, as an entrepreneur, a business person that works for a company, & how to utilize tech to be your best friend & 24/7 employee. Today’s Covid 19 environment has caused many challenges, but it has also caused amazing miracle opportunities. We will discuss the “unique” approaches for pivoting, working your brand while sleeping, & how to capitalize your brand for elevated recognition. Learn directly from the disruptors & consider this time well spent on yourself & “UR Life, UR Way.” To register please visit: gr.pn/brandofu.

  • Hosted by DCEO, GROUPON and LULAC – Latina Entrepreneurs NOW, in partnership with Latina Executive and Entrepreneur Network (L.E.E.N.), Mujeres Latinas en Accion and Chicago Latina Moms

Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., “Regulations, Workforce, and Finances” – Come here how to obtain applicable business licenses from IDFPR, how to hire and expand workforce, and business finances. To register please visit: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=eaa1b61a1805868a0632fd8820084f4c5

  • Hosted by DCEO-OMEE and DCEO-OET in partnership with the Greater Peoria Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Northwest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., “Latinas in Manufacturing” – Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, National Women Business Month, and Manufacturing Month, this webinar will discuss how Latinas in manufacturing got into the business, pivoted, and expanded into leadership roles. To register please visit: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=e0b15756d98d9c637b79c2c7a0dc9d0cb

  • Hosted by DCEO-OMEE, DCEO-OET and Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE)

Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., “Certification and Government Contracting” – come here about how to get your business certified and expand into government contracting. To register please visit: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec5e4abb62381a2edf8f299a07bc6b771

  • Hosted by DCEO-OMEE, Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in partnership with CMS-BEP, Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

(Spanish Webinar) Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 2:00 p.m., “Certification and Government Contracting” – come hear about how to get your business certified and expand into government contracting. To register please visit: gr.pn/herencia-hispana

  • Hosted by DCEO-OMEE, Groupon, Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in partnership with CMS-BEP, Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Mujeres Latinas en Accion.

(en español) jueves, 15 de octubre de 2020 a las 2:00 p.m., “Certificación y Contratación Pública” – venga a escuchar cómo certificar su negocio y expandirse a la contratación pública. Por favor regístrese aquí: gr.pn/herencia-hispana
Coorganizado por DCEO-OMEE, Groupon, Caucus Legislativo Latino de Illinois, Cámara Comercio Hispana de Illinois en alianza con CMS-BEP, Aurora Cámara de Comercio Hispana Regional y Mujeres Latinas en Acción.

OMEE Events:

The webinars are open to everyone; however, please note that there are webinars that do target specific communities. We are working towards conducting more webinars; therefore, if you don’t see one that appeals to you below OMEE or DCEO’s Regional Economic Development office may have one for you in the near future. Feel free to contact us at CEO.OMEE@illinois.gov.

Online with OMEE – The Business Development Managers from Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) are excited to host you for Online with OMEE – an open online conversation with OMEE constituents (racial/ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veteran owned businesses). We will provide you with the latest updates regarding federal and state programs, share information about other resources available, and answer any questions you may have about available state or federal programs.

For information please contact:

Diana Alfaro, Latino Business Development Manager (si hablo español)
Diana.alfaro@illinois.gov
312.919.3620

Matthew J. Simpson, African American Business Development Manager
Matthew.simpson@illinois.gov
312.520.0434

Ibie Hart, Woman’s Business Development Manager
Ibie.Hart@illinois.gov
773.951.8542

Tiffany T. Hawkins, Cannabis Loan and Grant Program Manager
Tiffany.Hawkins@illinois.gov
312.793.9702

Contact the First Stop Business Information Center Helpline at: 1-800-252-2923.  Spanish speaking assistance is also available at that number.