2021
BRIDGES
Book Reimbursement Incentive Degree Guidance and Educational Support
The BRICKS (Business Rich Interaction, Career Knowledge Support) and BRIDGES (Book Reimbursement Incentive, Degree Guidance Endurance and Support) programs are in-house activities supported by members of the OC Black Chamber and other organizations working to increase the number of college-eligible and college-ready African American students.
BRICKS
Business Rich Interaction Career Knowledge Support
BRICKS is aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs by aiding them in composing business plans, developing business marketing strategies, and providing assistance from SBA, SCORE, or other groups to increase the viability of proposed business activities/ventures. A maximum of two such opportunities are identified each year and BCEF contacts/members are deployed to aid the young entrepreneurs.
Reasons to Join:
Access, Service, Career Guidance, Employment, Volunteer, Internships, and Scholarship Opportunities
The online version of these programs will provide immediate access to student members of the Chamber. The original goals of providing mentoring and support to Orange County students have not changed; it has grown. These programs are designed to provide networking contacts from among business, civic, political, and educational leaders in the Black Chamber membership.
Student members will gain direct access to these members as prospective mentors and valuable sources of guidance for post-educational opportunities. The annual selection of scholarship winners will be made from among those student members who have been of service to the Black Chamber, Education Fund, and other community or school-based organizations.
Student Interns Will help support efforts to:
Step 1. Solicit members to obtain permission to post email links that can be accessed by student members.
Step 2. Solicit former Bridges recipients to serve as prospective mentors or career information resources.
Step 3. Help with online student application process; obtain contact information that includes name of school, school year, and intended area of study.
Step 4. Help with website so that student members can access prospective mentors by area of expertise or field. Also work with with Education Fund representative.
Step 5. Link site to Training Workshops sponsored by Corporate Sponsors and other entities. (SCE Edge Program, Banks and Financial Literacy Programs, etc.)
Step 6. Set up ZOOM communication system to broadcast workshop
Step 7. Set up system of volunteers for Chamber Golf and Annual Banquet
Step 8. Establish portions of website to announce
a. Summer Internships
b. Job Opportunities
Step 9. Collect and pictures from life cycle of programs in archive
Step 10. Archive articles posted on previous website & Chamber Scrap Books