This week, the City of Chattanooga’s Office of Multicultural Affairs is hosting multiple events for StartUp Week to "help empower women and minority business owners and to encourage discussion on ways to promote more diversity and inclusion in the workplace."
OMA is using StartUp Week to host conversations around diversity and to connect people of all backgrounds through networking and city government procurement opportunities.
“Startup Week Chattanooga is a celebration of Chattanooga's entrepreneurial spirit, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs is excited to offer thought-provoking and informative sessions, which will support diverse business owners and connect even more Chattanoogans to City purchasing and the startup community,” said James McKissic, director of Multicultural Affairs.
"Recognizing the power of both physical space and human capital for businesses, OMA has created a variety of StartUp Week events to connect entrepreneurs with crucial resources, including a tour of the Innovation District and Edney Building and a session with diverse business owners sharing their stories of success.
Later in the week, City Hall will welcome entrepreneurs for a networking breakfast and presentation showing businesses how they can sell their goods and services to the City of Chattanooga," officials said.
Multicultural Affairs StartUp Week Schedule:
- When You Invite Me to the Party, Invite Me to Dance
Inclusion in Innovation
October 3 at 5:30 PM
Startup founders come in all hues of skin pigmentation. So do startup employees. These good folks also come from various backgrounds, cultures and creeds. In a world that requires innovation, it is good to have differences. But what are we doing to make these differences meaningful? We will have a panel and open discussion on how we are doing in Chattanooga to support founders and employees from under-represented backgrounds. Come with questions and constructive suggestions about how we can be a truly inclusive startup community.
Sign Up Here
- Tour the Innovation District and The Edney Building
October 4 at 8:30 AM
Curious about Chattanooga's new Innovation District and the Innovation Hub at the Edney Building? Join us for this tour of the Edney building, starting with coffee on the roof. Meet some of the diverse business owners who call the Edney home. Tour led by Tim Williams of the Edney and Alexis Willis of LAUNCH and CoLab.
Sign Up Here
- Collard Greens and Cornbread: A Conversation on Diversity and Inclusion in Chattanooga's Entrepreneurial Spaces
October 5 at 12 PM
Sparked by an article in the Harvard Business review, The Startup Maven + The Office of Multicultural Affairs are bringing you Collard Greens & Cornbread: A Conversation on Diversity and Inclusion. Recently, Chattanooga leaders have launched several diversity and inclusion efforts. Come take a seat at our table for a little soul food on your lunch break along with stories on the triumphs and challenges of belonging in Chattanooga's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Sign Up Here
- Diverse Business Owners Breakfast at City Hall
October 6 at 8:30 AM
Join City Hall staff for breakfast and a short presentation about how you can begin to sell your goods and services to Chattanooga City Government. Meet other racially and culturally diverse business owners, and share your startup stories.
Sign Up Here
For more info on the Office of Multicultural Affairs visit
http://www.chattanooga.gov/multicultural-affairs.
To register for these events or get more info on StartUp Week Chattanooga visit
http://startupweekcha.com/.