Dear Friend of the AACC,
 
We need your help.
 
I write to request your assistance in persuading Cincinnati City Council to maintain the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce’s (AACC) funding. This letter will provide background, facts supporting the AACC’s continued funding, and some simple, concrete ways you can help.
 
Background
By way of background, Cincinnati City Manager Patrick Duhaney zeroed out the AACC’s budget. Last week, Mayor John Cranley presented a budget with funding for the AACC. The budget is now in the hands of the 9 members of Cincinnati City Council.
 
We need you to reach out to members of Cincinnati City Council and encourage them to provide the AACC with funding in the amount of $325,000.00, which is our current level of funding. While we well recognize that there are a number of complex factors that go into creating a budget, the AACC strongly believes it has exceeded expectations. The AACC is an excellent steward of the City’s money. The AACC is a wise investment.
 
Accomplishments and Facts about the AACC’s Work
The AACC performs, leads, and creates programs, workshops, counselings, and events for Cincinnati businesses and the community. Here are some highlights of our work:
 

• The AACC leads over 120 programs/events/workshops for small businesses in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky a year.
• The AACC receives $325,000/year from the City of Cincinnati. This helps the AACC to leverage approximately $600,000 in private and public investments.
• The AACC reaches over 2,400 small businesses and entrepreneurs, utilizes over 100 different speakers and presenters, and conducts over 200 one-on-one counseling sessions.
• Funding the AACC now is a better value for the taxpayers of the City of Cincinnati than ever - more programs, more reach, and more small businesses impacted.
• Much of the money that the AACC spends is with small businesses in the City of Cincinnati.
• The AACC has the local franchise for the leading, nationally-recognized small business accelerator – Interise. The AACC’s 1^st Interise/EBA Class graduated April 2019.
• The AACC serves 17 counties in Ohio through its MBAC program.
• Through its MBAC Program, the AACC provided State of Ohio certifications for over 75 businesses. Moreover, the AACC sends over 50 businesses to the City of Cincinnati, so that they can receive City certification.
• The AACC partners with over 20 other economic development organizations and institutions in the Greater Cincinnati region.
• The AACC has hosted federal, state, and local elected officials for policy discussions.
• The AACC has established a Real Estate Investment Fund, the only one of its kind nationally among African American Chambers, as a building block for creating wealth.
• The AACC has outlined a vision to make the Greater Cincinnati region known for small business support and development in its plan, Partner, Focus, Support, and Lead!
• The AACC certainly thanks Cincinnati’s taxpayers for their past support and for helping us to continue our mission.
• The AACC is the largest African American Chamber of Commerce in the State of Ohio.