LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — With Black Business Month starting in August, Small Business Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman will be in the state capitol where she will begin her Black-owned business tour.

Throughout the day, the administrator will make appearances which includes a fireside chat hosted by U.S. Bank.

She will be welcomed by U.S. Bank Market Leader for Arkansas/Missouri Mike Richardson, U.S. Bank Business Access Advisor in Little Rock Cassandra Kidd, and the Director of SBA Arkansas Adriene Brown.

In the form of a brunch and learn affair, the Minority Business Development Agency and SBA Arkansas partnered up for the event which will be led by Lenwood Long, president of the African American Alliance of CDFI (Community Development Financial Institutions) CEOS.

A discussion centered around the theme “Navigating the Landscape: Conversations on Capital Access and Small Business Resources” will take place after the fireside chat.

Candence Brooks – Economic Development Loan Officer, Communities Unlimited

Jay Young – Central Arkansas Regional Director and Director of Minority Business Development, Forge Fund

Chauncey Pettis – Director, Arkansas Women’s Business Center

Charles Blake – Market Executive, Southern Bancorp

LaTwan Cheathem – Vice President, Business Development Officer, Arkansas Capital Corporation

Celia Bell – District Director, OK/AR SCORE

Tania Martinez Chavez – Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center

The Brunch and Learn event will be held at Rock It! Lab at 120 River Market Avenue in Little Rock. The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.