The Pan African Business Alliance (PABA), Minnesota’s pioneer African chamber of commerce, is scheduled to host its annual Business Fair in Minneapolis next month. According to the PABA President, Henry K. Ongeri, the main objective of the event is to bring visibility to last-growing African entrepreneurship in Minnesota.
“It (the Fair) will provide yet another opportunity for African business owners to showcase their wares and to network with others,” he says. Ongeri, a tax lawyer and consultant with ABC GROUP, LLC, noted that PABA had joined forces with other chambers in the Minnesota Ethnic Chamber Coalition to advance minority business interests. African business ownership is an emerging economic force, part of the estimated $11 billion ethnic purchasing power annually.
The event coordinator, Nathan White of Nextainment confirmed to Mshale that the Fair is scheduled for September 28, 2005 at the Profile Event Center in Minneapolis. “The program will feature African music, complimentary professional consultations and workshops and networking. PABA has invited civic and policy leaders, resource and community partners to the Fair.
“The Fair is a must-attend event for anyone who wants to be successful in tapping into the emerging market,” White says. According to Wycliffe Chakua, who serves as PABA Membership Activities organizer, there will be limited opportunities for vendors to display merchandise.
Advance registration is required. Email Wycliffe at [email protected]
The Profile Event Center is located at 2630 University Avenue,Minneapolis. Doors open at 5.30 p.m. according to Mr. White.
About Tom Gitaa Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief
Born and raised in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa, Tom is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Mshale which has been reporting on the news and culture of African immigrants in the United States since 1995. He has a BA in Business from Metro State University and a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He was the original host of Talking Drum, the signature current affairs show on the African Broadcasting Network (ABN-America), which was available nationwide in the United States via the Dish Network satellite service. On the show, he interviewed Nobel laureates such as 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner, Professor Wangari Maathai, the first woman from Africa to win the peace prize and heads of states. Tom has served and chaired various boards including Global Minnesota (formerly Minnesota International Center), the sixth largest World Affairs Council in the United States. He has previously served as the first Black President of the Board of Directors at Books for Africa. He also serves on the boards of New Vision Foundation and the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium. He has previously served two terms on the board of the United Nations Association. An avid runner, he retired from running full marathons after turning 50 and now only focuses on training for half marathons.
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