As a member of the Women’s Small Business Association, associates receive some type of business announcement, meeting notice or request for service every day. It is one of the many ways the group strives to enable women to help other women in business.

Founded in 2007, the mission of the WSBA is to serve as a valuable resource for business women, by helping and stimulating small and start up businesses. Founder Susan Miller says its goal is to foster a woman’s economic independence by helping develop skills needed for entre­preneurial success through networking and education. Miller said the belief of the group is that self-employment is a viable and a needed option for all women.

SHARING INFORMATION—Sarah Y. Spencer of Ardyss International and Deborah F. Hughes, financial adviser for Edward Jones, learn about Virtuous Academy from its founder, Iyana Tennon.

Certification & Contracting Workshop

JULY 28—The U.S. Small Business Administration will host an 8(a) and HUBZone Certification & Contracting workshop from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Riverside Center for Innovation, 700 River Ave., 1st floor Conference Room, North Side. MBE/WBE and Veteran-owned businesses are encouraged to attend. It is free to the public. For more information, call Marisa Fentzel at 412-395-6560.

(NNPA)—As you probably know, there are two different worlds of businesses operating in America’s inner cities—legal and illegal. In many neighborhoods where legal businesses are failing, young people are exposed to a drug-glorifying culture that is thriving. The career path is more common to become a drug dealer and make lots of money than to go to college graduate and get a job or start a legal business.

We cannot manufacture entrepreneurs but we can create the environment and conditions that allow, encourage and facilitate entrepreneurship.

by Charlene Crowell

(NNPA) - Last week’s media hype on Ms. Shirley Sherrod and the Department of Agriculture obliterated what should have been a triumphant moment for the nation: the President’s signing of the historic Dodd-Frank bill and the creation of a new bureau dedicated to consumer protection. As with all major legislation, a signing ceremony still occurred; but its significance was dwarfed by the tabloid effects of the Sherrod incident.