Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago welcome the opportunity to partner with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) in this effort as we believe it is critically important to support the viability of minority entrepreneurs and businesses given their foundational importance to our economy and communities.
The web serie that the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Department of Finance and Procurement is hosting entitled “Access to Capital for Minority Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses During the Crisis”.
The purpose of this series is to aid in driving awareness of various capital sources to minority and small businesses during this time of crisis.
Webinar Information
Date: Friday, May 15, 2020
Time: 1:00-2:00pm CST
Audiences: Business Owner and Entrepreneur members of the African American, Asian and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Chicago Minority Supplier Diversity Council (CMSDC), Chicago Urban League (CUL)
Panelists
Ashley D. Bell, Esq. – White House Policy Advisor, SBA Regional Director, Founder, CEO, 20/20 Bipartisan Justice Center
Bell serves as Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration for Region IV. Having been appointed to this role by the White House in 2018, Administrator Bell has oversight of over $5 billion in SBA-backed lending, the Counseling arm of the SBA, which counseled over 225,000 entrepreneurs last year in Region IV, and the contracting programs for small business, which accounted for over 23% of all federal contracts awarded. In 2019, he was appointed White House policy adviser on entrepreneurship and innovation, focused on helping America’s small businesses to be competitive for the future. Bell is also founder and CEO of the 20/20 Bipartisan Justice Center, the nation’s most influential black and bipartisan coalition of elected officials, legal professionals, civic and business leaders focused on comprehensive policing and criminal justice reform at all levels of government.
Rodrigo Garcia – Deputy State Treasurer, Chief Investment Officerand Chief Financial Officer, Illinois State Treasury
Garcia is deputy state treasurer and chief investment officer for Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs. In this role he directs the treasury’s combined $32 billion investment portfolio, $300 billion in related banking operations and financial services, and a ~$4 billion agency budget and financial reporting unit. From leveraging impact investments to integrating sustainability factors into portfolios to promoting equity, diversity & inclusion, he aims to maximize portfolio returns and bolster the Illinois macro and micro economy. Garcia was previously the director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and a member of the Illinois Cabinet, and has also worked for Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
Brandon L. Comer – Managing Partner, Comer Capital Group, LLC, CEO CCG Asset Management
Comer serves as Managing Partner of Comer Capital Group (CCG), LLC, a SEC and MSRB registered municipal advisory firm where he oversees the firm’s strategic and financial services operations. CCGLLC represents over 40 municipalities across the country and has served as FA on over $2.1 billion in municipal bond transactions since 2012. Comer also currently serves as CEO of CCG Asset Management, LLC, an affiliate SEC registered investment advisory firm that manages and invests operating funds and bond proceeds for municipalities and corporations. Since its inception in 2013, Comer has grown CCG Asset Management to over $1 billion in assets under management and non-discretionary advisement. As the principal of one of the largest minority owned independent registered municipal advisory firms, Comer has made a commitment to assisting municipalities increase their fiscal position and gain cost effective access to the capital markets.
- Mode: WebEx
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Format:
1 min –Introduction of Program by Moderator
6 min –Introductions of Business Communities by Chamber of Commerce Leaders (mission, demographics)
6 min –Introduction of Panel Guests by Moderator
35 min –Panel Discussion
12 min –Q&A, Closeout and Next Steps by Moderator
Moderator:
Yolanda Daniel, VP Finance Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Business Community Representatives:
Jaime di Paulo – CEO, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Karen Eng – Board Chair, Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship
Esrkine “Chuck” Faush – SVP Innovation and Development, Chicago Urban League
Mark Hands – Board Chair, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council