African American Business Association of Will County

08/08/2026

This was dynamic! Shout out to AABA member Ronald Veals Jr. and J R Designs for this masterpiece!

08/08/2026

Member Highlight:: 🚨 ‼️

Join Eva Lee Cooking this weekend at the Romeoville Fest!

08/08/2026

08/07/2026

MARCHING INTO MONDAYS: THE RECAP!

What happens when you bring entrepreneurs, lenders, business advisors, and access-to-capital resources into one room? Connections happen. Conversations happen. Opportunities happen.

Take a look back at Part One of our Access to Capital experience — Marching Into Mondays, proudly sponsored and hosted by BMO Bank’s Zero Barriers to Business team. We are grateful to BMO and all of our partners, presenters, resource providers, and entrepreneurs who helped make the evening a success.

But Part One was just the beginning.

🧪 PART TWO: THE FINANCING LAB — ACCESS TO CAPITAL
This time, we’re moving beyond the panel and getting one-on-one.

AABA members will connect directly with lenders, accountants, business advisors, and funding experts in a hands-on, speed-networking format designed to help you understand your options and leave with actionable next steps.

📅 Thursday, August 27, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 AABA Headquarters – The Legacy Center
101 N. Reed Street, Joliet, IL 60435
🔒 AABA MEMBERS ONLY

Special thanks to BMO Bank, Joliet Junior College Entrepreneur & Business Center, LEDA, and everyone helping us turn access to capital into access to opportunity.

Part One opened the conversation. Part Two gets down to business.

08/06/2026

Exciting News! Check Out Our New Training Opportunities!

08/05/2026

Member spotlight! 🚨

What if you could add six digital team members without adding six salaries?

Join us for Build Your AI Workforce, a live online workshop where you'll learn how to create AI assistants that help with:

✍️ Content & copy
🔎 Market research
🎧 Client support
⚙️ Systems & flow
🤝 Outreach & leads
📊 Numbers & clarity

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or leader, you'll walk away with practical tools you can start using immediately to save time, increase productivity, and focus on growing your business.

📅 Friday, August 21, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
💻 Live Online Workshop (Replay Included)

Reserve your seat starting at just $49! ⬇️

08/05/2026

💰 AABA Members: Let’s Talk Access to Capital!

The AABA Financing Lab returns with Part 2: Access to Capital, an exclusive experience designed to help move your business forward.

This is not another panel discussion. Members will participate in a hands-on, classroom-style session featuring direct conversations with professionals who understand business financing and growth.

You will have opportunities to connect with:

🏦 Lenders
🧾 Accountants
🤝 Business advisors
💵 Funding experts

Join AABA, the Entrepreneur & Business Center at Joliet Junior College, and BMO for an evening focused on real conversations, practical guidance, and your next steps.

📅 Thursday, August 27, 2026
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 AABA Headquarters — The Legacy Center
101 N. Reed Street, Joliet

This event is exclusively for AABA members.

Register TODAY!!

https://members.aabaconnect.org/member-application

08/04/2026

Today, we spoke to both the President and the Owner of the Joliet location of Harold’s Chicken and confirmed that this location located at 1511 W. Jefferson is in fact a Harold’s authorized location. Please refer to the corporate website for any additional updates.
https://www.haroldschickencorporate.com/locations

08/01/2026

Happy Black Business Month!

Black owned business are the backbone of our communities and the engine of our economy. We will continue to make the investments that help Black Businesses grow and thrive in Illinois. Happy Black Business Month.