THE BUSINESS CHRONICLE

IOTA PHI LAMBDA SORORITY, INC.

Wendy B. Jacques, Epsilon Tau President

Volume 1 Issue 8 April 2014

“Unless you choose to do

great things with it, it makes

no difference how much you

are rewarded, or how power

you have.”

Oprah

Did you hear that? There is it again. The words “Business Month” are being spoken throughout the nation by members of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., and heard throughout the communities we serve. It’s April and time for Iota’s capstone program to shine! Our National Business Month Program focuses on efforts to stimulate interest in business education and gives recognition to those who have made outstanding achievements in the field of business.

Epsilon Tau’s inaugural Business Month Program was a month filled with business related activities, we encouraged our youth to explore careers in STEM, established a local online business directory, and supported not for profit organizations locally and internationally that assist women with returning to the work force and microfinancing women entrepreneurs.

Seven Gavel Taps to Soror Michelle Peace, Business Month Chair, Soror LaToya Randle, Co-chair, and the Business Month Committee for planning and executing our Business Month Program with a wide range of activities and opportunities for engagement. Seven Gavel Taps to Epsilon Tau for accepting the challenge of the Business Month Committee.

In the words of Jay-Z , “I’m not a businessman, I’m business…man.” Sorors, let’s stay true to ourselves and “be” BUSINESS.

Sisterly,Wendy

“ Epsilon Tau is Tied to Be Fit”

Epsilon Tau’s Business Month Activities kicked off with an event to insure that sororswere “fit” to complete the arduous April calendar presented by Business Month chair, Michelle Peace. April 2, 2014 was designated as the National Heart Association’s National Walk Day. ET Sorors and one Future Iota Leader took a walk at Exall Park in Dallas. During our walk, we exchange information with boot camp trainers to add the camp information to our online business directory. Sorors Jánand Carmon sported “blue” attire in support of World Autism Awareness Day which was also on April 2, 2014.

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“FIL Table Talk with the Campbells”

Epsilon Tau’s Future Iota Leaders had the opportunity to share with April and CosimCampbell on April 6, 2014 during their monthly meeting. The Campbells shared the importance of getting an Education in both the traditional and non-traditional routes. Mrs. Campbell is a Physician’s Assistant whose latest business venture is management of rental properties. Her goal is to one day provide affordable rental properties to families in need. Mr. Campbell is a business analyst and CEO of Precision Cleaning Solutions DFW, he left the FIL with this message: “Never quit, never give up , if I never quit I'll win.”

Business Month Co-chair, LaToya Randle, President Wendy B. Jacques, FIL President, Diego Jones, Business Month Presenters, Cosim and April Campbell, FIL Chair, Dr. Tonya Sawyer McGee and Business Month Chair, Michelle Peace - Table Talk with the Campbells , April 6, 2014

FIL President, Diego Jones, introducing Business Month Presenter, Cosim Campbell.

FIL Vice President, Shandrell Fisher introducing Business Month Presenter, April Campbell.

Never QuitNever Give UpIf I never Quit

I’ll win!

Mr. Cosim Campbell

Mrs. April Campbell

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Epsilon Tau compiled an online business directory for African American businesses in the Best Southwest. The directory features links to over 30 African American owned businesses with active websites. Five Best Southwest Entrepreneurs were featured on the directory and on the Epsilon Tau Face Book page each Tuesday of the month. The five entrepreneurs featured are shown above from left to right: Dr. Denise Scott of Circle of Healing Chiropractic; Kimberly Abamu of Kim’s Innovative Styles; Dr. Donna Barefield of Barefield Dentistry; Carlette Armstrong, Ashlen Business Solutions, and Shay Frazier of Uplift Realty. The online business directory was launched on April 3, 2014. You can find the ET Local Online Directory on our website, www.iota-et.org.

“Find Your Voice Internship”During our inaugural Business Month, Epsilon Tau is proudly sponsoring a young lady aged 13-17 with a passion for learning new things, an interest in radio broadcast, marketing, or communications. Applicants for the “Find Your Voice” internship will have to make a short video application describing her passion and purpose. Applicants will be reviewed and the winner will be mentored in the development of her own blogtalk radio show, she will select the guests, subject matter and execute the show.

Epsilon Tau Online Business Directory

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Epsilon Tau’s Michelle Peace and Katrina Martin, sat down and talked to Bee Kirk, of the “Convo with Bee and CeCe” on Friday, April 11 at 10 PM. These sorors discussed upcoming events and the importance of Business Month. A link to the show is found on the links tab of our website, www.iota-et.org. Sorors gathered at the home of SororShelia Fisher for a little fun, work, conversation, and food before listening to the show.

ET ‘s Convo with Bee on blogtalkradio.com/ Listening Party at the Fishers

Business Spotlight with Vonna Matthews

Vonna Matthews, organizer of the Bottles, Bibs, and Pump Conference was the business spotlight at ET’s April Chapter meeting on April 13, 2014. Mrs. Matthews discussed some of her future plans for Bottles, Bibs, and Pumps; opportunities for future networking opportunities with ET; and some of the road blocks faced with new organizations and businesses. We briefly discussed Membership in Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, and how we could serve as Brand Ambassadors at some of her fall events.

Business Month Chair, Michelle Peace ; Business Owner, Vonna Matthews, and ET President Wendy B. Jacques – April 13, 2014 Business Spotlight

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On April 12, Epsilon Tau FIL Diego Jones and Paul Beaty II participated in the Character, Leadership, Education, and Entrepreneurship (C.L.E.E.) conference held at Tarrant County College’s - Southeast Campus in Arlington.

“Excellence for Teen Choice: C.L. E. E. Conference”

Epsilon Tau Around the City During the Month of AprilOur Chapter’s Business Month was filled with activities, so there were times when we were present at multiple events. First photo: Soror Robin Mack supports ET’s Tied to Be Fit walk, on April 2, 2014 at the American Airlines Center. Second Photo: On April 12, three ET sorors attended the Psi Chapter Business Month Luncheon at the Hilton-Lincoln Center. Sorors Michelle Peace and Tasha Kwartengposed for the selfie below with Psi Chapter soror, Rhonda Jones (center). The same day, SororRandle and FIL Melvin III walked at the March of Dimes Dallas Walk at White Rock Lake. On April 16, to foster the connections made at the Bottles, Bibs, and Pumps Conference in March, ET sorors attended the My Life Forward happy hour hosted by presenter, Jasmin Brand (pictured below). Sorors Robin Mack and Carmon Brown attended the event and enjoyed the panel discussion and networking of the evening. On April 19, soror Wendy Jacques was able to stop by Epsilon Omicron’s “Minding Our Business: The Greenprint to Business Roundtable and Discussion at the George Hawkes Library in Arlington, the same day as Black Girls Code (see page 8).

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ET Girls at Black Girls CodeEpsilon Tau sponsored five girls to attend the BLACK GIRLS CODE event at UTD on April 19, 2014. The girls participated in the “Build a Webpage in a Day” session. Interactive games and activities were used to teach the girls this new skill. Black Girls Code is an organization designed to prepare girls for careers in the STEM related, male dominated field of computer coding. The tech outlook is bleak for females who only represent 12% of the field. African American females represent only about 3% of that workforce. Epsilon Tau plans to do its part in furthering the mission of BLACK GIRLS CODE to educate 1 million girls by 2040. Our FIL girls really enjoyed the session. FIL Shandrell Fisher created “ Shandrell’s Bows” and FIL Jalyn Beaty presented her site during the closing session of the day, Jalyn’s site, “Music Across the World” can be found at http://bgirlz.herokuapp.com/BGCDallas2014/Jalyn_D_Beaty.

Business Month Chair, Michelle Peace and the girls sponsored by Epsilon Tau Chapter at Black Girls Code.

Black Girls Code founder, Kimberly Bryant

Our girls at Black Girls Code’s Opening Session at UTD

FIL Jalyn Beaty presents her website during the closing

of Black Girls Code.

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Dinner with ET at the Kitchen LTO

Epsilon Tau’s sorors supported Chef Eric Shelton’s tenure at the Kitchen LTO. The Kitchen LTO is a permanent pop-up restaurant where a new chef and designer are allowed the opportunity to have their restaurant housed every 4 months. Chef Shelton’s tenure at the Kitchen LTO ends on May 31. Epsilon Tau sorors and guests enjoyed a meal of Chef Shelton’s signature dishes: Asian Spaghetti and Meatballs ; Salmon BLT and capped off with Macaroon Ice Cream Sandwiches. Chef Eric has appeared on Cut Throat Kitchen and he recently auditioned for Top Chef. We will stay tuned and wish him the best of luck!

Chef Eric Shelton with Sorors Peace and Mack

ET Sorors and Guest at the Kitchen LTO8

Get In The Mix Epsilon Tau’s signature public event was the “Get In The Mix” Mixer held at the Sunset Lounge on Thursday, April 24, 2014. Sorors and over 30 guests filled the Sunset Lounge in support of our Donation Drive for Dress for Success – Dallas. In addition to Dress for Success, participants also provided donations for our Develop Africa fundraising effort. We were honored to have Dr. Denise Scott, of Circle of Healing Chiropractic join us at the event. Dr. Scott was featured on the ET Online Business Directory during the first week of April. She came out to support the Mixer and brought along two guests. Lots of business connections, fun door prizes, and fundraising occurred on this evening. Business card from our participants and invited guests will be used to create a database for future ET events. 9

ET Sorors Get In The Mix

Business Month Chair Peace and Co Chair, LaToya Randle flank Door Prize Winner, Dr. Denise Scott

ET Chapter President , Wendy B. JacquesDoor Prize Winner, Soror Dr. Gail Vaughn

Door Prize Winner, Charisse Williams of Keller Williams Realty

Door Prize Winner, MOI Thomas McGee

Mixer Guests Mingling

New Orleans Motivational Speaker, JabreelWalker and Business Month Chair , Michelle Peace

Get In The Mix Mixer Guests

Soror Robin Mack and Mixer Guests

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Dress for Success Donation Delivery and Facility Tour

On April 26, 2014, Epsilon Tau’s sorors arrived at the Dress for Success – Dallas Headquarters to drop off our collected items for the Career Center and participate in a tour of the facility. Dress for Success Dallas Director Janie Bordner, gave us the tour and accepted the donation on behalf of the center. ET sorors and ET donors provided 20 empowerment books; 1200 sheets of resume paper; 20 Day Planners; 20 USB flash drives; 10 portfolios; and a $125 cash donation. These items will stock the Career Center sponsored by Ameritrade at the Dress For Success – Dallas facility located at 13331 Preston Road in Dallas.

Epsilon Tau soror(left to right)

Sorors Carmon Brown, Tiffany Bryant, Dress for Success – Dallas, Director, Jamie Bordner, SororMichelle Peace, President Wendy Jacques, and SororRobin.

Epsilon Tau Donation for DFS-Dallas.Mrs. Janie Bordner, Dress for Success – Dallas

Director conducting the facility tour

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ET Church Fellowship at Riverside Missionary Baptist Church

Epsilon Tau’s Business Month Activities closed with the celebration of Women’s Day

at the Riverside Missionary Baptist Church. ET sorors were treated to a wonderful

church service where the Women of God were called out to be Women of

Distinction. Riverside is the church home of Soror Michelle Peace, Business Month

Chair.

The final philanthropic event of the month was a donation of $ 300 to sponsor a microfinance loan through Develop Africa in the name of Epsilon Tau Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Microfinance consists of making small loans usually less than $200 to individuals to establish or expand a small, self-sustaining business. Develop Africa’s most important form of microfinance is credit targeted primarily to disadvantaged youth and women who are also talented entrepreneurs. Epsilon Tau is proud to have exceeded its internal goal.

Develop Africa Donation Drive – Microfinance Loan

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The Legacy Grace Project Donation Drive – Community Service

Epsilon Tau’s final activity for the month of April was a community service project providing water, soda, snacks, and used clothes and accessories (102 items) for the Grace Project Conference for Women Living with HIV. The conference will be held May 2-4, 2014 at the Westin Park Hotel in Dallas. Soror Katrina Martin is pictured below with our donated items.

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In celebration and honor of Earth Day, FIL, MOI, and sororsparticipated in 'Go Green for Dallas' by collecting items to be recycled and committed to being 'earth friendly' during the month of April.

Go Green for Dallas

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On April 26, 2014 MOI Thomas McGee and networking co-chair Dr. Tonya McGee participated in the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce annual gala and auction event held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Duncanville, Texas. MOI McGee and Soror McGee were welcomed by the Honorable Helen Giddings, Texas House of Representatives District 109, Honorary chair of the event.

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala and Auction

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Dates To Remember

May 4, 2014 Epsilon Tau Celebrates its 1st

Birthday, 2:30 PM, RMBC FLC

May 4, 2014 Epsilon Tau Chapter Meeting, 3:30 PM, RMBC FLC

May 6, 2014 FIL Meeting Conference Call

May 8, 2014 Membership Committee Conference Call

May 24, 2014 FIL /Soror Garage Sale at 3650 Crepe Myrtle Circle, Dallas, TX

June 1, 2014 85th Founders’ Day Celebration, 6:00 PM

National Evelyn D. Wilkey Essay Contest 2nd Place Winner, ET FIL President, Diego Jones

Epsilon Tau Chapter is proud to announce that Future Iota Leader President, Diego Jones won 2nd Place in the National Evelyn D. Wilkey Essay Contest for the High School Division. FIL Diego will receive $250 for his essay. Congratulations on this AMAZING accomplishment! Keep up the GREAT work!

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