Being open to tell stories of who you are to build rapport with others was one of the key messages shared at the first-ever Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Forum and Small Business Expo, held on Jan. 16, 2024, at the Horry-Georgetown Technical College Business Conference Center in Myrtle Beach.
The event was hosted by the Carolina African American Heritage Foundation (CAAHF), the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) and the City of Myrtle Beach and part of CAAHF’s Grand Strand Freedom Week.
During the event, participants had the opportunity to hear from panelists Kelvin Waites, DEI director for the City of Myrtle Beach; Amanda Masterpaul, Lecturer, Women’s and Gender Studies with Coastal Carolina University; and Les Echols, director of community & minority enterprise with the Greater Florence (S.C.) Chamber of Commerce.
The panelist shared their insight about DEI initiatives and best practices, including these three tips shared in this cumulative overview:
Along with the panelists, Angelique Jarvis-Simmons, bilingual business coach with the S.C. Hispanic Chamber (SCHC), spoke about the advantages Hispanic populations bring to the local business community, including how their cultural diversity enables businesses to cater to a broader range of consumer preferences. She also shared how the SCHC can provide assistance to this growing multicultural community.
Participants also had the opportunity to connect with more than a dozen exhibitors on hand, including South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development; SCORE Grand Strand, which offers free mentorship for entrepreneurs; SPARTA Networking, a leading DEI-focused consulting and staffing firm; Neighbor to Neighbor, a senior care provider; The Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers; and others.
Quality Business Solutions (QBS) offers an integrated solution to remove the weight of payroll administration from your plate, allowing you to focus your time and resources on growing your business.
Chamber investors receive exclusive pricing on payroll management services. The QBS secure online system provides you and your employees with access to vital payroll information allowing you to run reports, print W-2s and view pay stubs all in one place, any time.