Walmart Supports Women Entrepreneurs
On May 7, 2014, Walmart presented a check in the amount of $60,000 to The Chicago Urban League’s Entrepreneurship Center. The grant – which was a part of the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program – will be used to provide strategic consulting, classroom training, expert evaluation and business coaching to approximately 1,000 women as they look to start-up or expand their small business.
“Since 2007 the Entrepreneurship Center has helped thousands of local businesses start, expand and create jobs,” said Andrea L. Zopp, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “This partnership with the Walmart Foundation allows us to reach aspiring and emerging women entrepreneurs and have an even greater impact on local businesses and workforce development.”
Prior to presenting the check to Zopp, John Bisio, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations at Walmart, met with five female entrepreneurs who have benefited from the Entrepreneurship Center programs. The women, Zakeia Hampton, Rose Lee, Diane McDonald, Elizabeth McQueen, and Kim Scott each gave testimonials about how the Entrepreneurship Center provided training across the key topics of financial and resource management, business strategy, marketing, social media and computer technology, and other critical areas to developing a sustainable business.
“The Walmart Foundation is very pleased to support the Chicago Urban League and is committed to help those in need in the communities where we serve,” said Bisio. “Through this grant, we hope these women gain the knowledge and training to succeed with their businesses.”
For more information about the Chicago Urban League’s Entrepreneurship Center and its programs, contact Selena Sizemore, Director of Entrepreneurship, at ssizemore@thechicagourbanleague.org or visit www.thechicagourbanleague.org. To learn more about the Walmart Foundation visit http://foundation.walmart.com/.
