Odyssey Media's IN THE BLACK Tour Offers Free Admission To Houston Small Business Owners And Aspiring Entrepreneurs Post Hurricane Harvey

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Nov 02, 2017, 08:21 ET

HOUSTON, Nov. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Odyssey Media, a leading brand in the empowerment of multicultural women, hosts IN THE BLACK, the high-octane event that provides a unique environment for multicultural women to share insights, discover business strategies and build relationships. More than 5,000 women have participated in previous IN THE BLACK programs in over 20 cities.

Over 150 women will attend the IN THE BLACK Houston event on Nov. 10 for free, thanks to the generosity of The Coca-Cola Company's 5by20 program, developed to enable the economic empowerment of 5 million women entrepreneurs worldwide by 2020.

"We know that women are the pillars of our communities. We strongly believe in investing in women to foster economic growth and sustainable development," said Lori George Billingsley, Vice President of Community Connections at The Coca-Cola Company. "We are proud to support women entrepreneurs by partnering with Odyssey Media's In The Black Tour, a program that empowers women to build businesses, support their families and shape their communities."

In a Sept. 2, Business Insider article, Houston business owners expressed that their small businesses, which make up 99% of Houston's companies, face a long road of restoration after Hurricane Harvey. According to the article, many lack large cash revenues and are suffering from having to shut down temporarily or permanently due to extensive damages.

Linda Spradley Dunn, CEO and Founder of Odyssey Media is quoted saying, "Harvey has been especially difficult for Black and Latina small business owners and it has discouraged many who wanted to start a business. Our sisters need us, and we'll be there! We will customize the program and focus on where women can get immediate help, as well as how other Odyssey Women around the world can pitch in."

Earlier this year, Spradley Dunn launched "Keys to Success," a $25,000 pitch competition designed to help female, small-business owners get access to capital. Ironically, the winner was Houston's own Kim Roxie, Founder of LAMIK Beauty. Roxie will speak at the Nov. 10 event.

Featured speakers include: Denise Hamilton, CEO of Watch Her Work; Melanie Elturk, Founder of Haute Hijab; Sharmeen Hawkins, businesswoman who owns over 15 franchises; Mikki Taylor, author and Essence Editor-at-large; Kelli Fisher and Tana Gilmore, "The Matchmaking DUO," and Lisa Price, Founder of Carol's Daughter.