Assembly Resolution No. 985

BY: M. of A. Vanel

COMMEMORATING the 56th Anniversary of Workshop in
Business Opportunities of Harlem, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
efforts of social workers who, in providing essential care and support
to people in the communities across New York State, serve to enhance the
quality of life for some of our most vulnerable residents; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 56th Anniversary of Workshop in Business Opportunities
of Harlem, New York; and

WHEREAS, Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) is a private
non-profit organization which assists men and women in becoming
successful entrepreneurs by enabling small business owners and
entrepreneurs from underserved communities to achieve financial success
by starting, operating, and growing successful businesses that develop
economic power, provide jobs, and improve communities; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1966 by Walter Geier and Mallalieu Woolfolk in
Harlem, New York, WIBO's objective is to increase economic
opportunities, improve local communities, and change lives through the
power of entrepreneurship; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Jackson, a successful business owner, committed
board member and dedicated volunteer, became the CEO of WIBO on May 1,
2018; and

WHEREAS, A valuable asset to the organization, Stephen Jackson
provides a variety of experience to the students of WIBO with notable
strengths in sales and marketing strategy, as well as in the
implementation of new technologies that aid in the growth of
organizations; he is well known for maximizing resources to achieve his
goals by gaining the trust of key stakeholders and developing pleasant
and enthusiastic work cultures; and

WHEREAS, By offering a variety of renowned programs for participants
to access knowledge, networks, and capital, WIBO has become one of the
leading providers of comprehensive and effective training and mentoring
for entrepreneurs dedicated to starting and growing local businesses;
since 1966, WIBO has trained nearly 18,000 entrepreneurs who have
created over 34,000 job opportunities; and

WHEREAS, WIBO helps bring business ideas to life through its 10 or
16 week "How to Build a Growing Profitable Business" Workshop, a program
that helps entrepreneurs take the necessary steps and actions needed to
improve an existing business; participants gain a solid foundation on
how to start and grow a profitable business by the end of the
informative program; and

WHEREAS, A lasting resource beyond graduating from the program, WIBO
offers additional services to WIBO Alumni, such as WIBO Academy, which

is an online learning platform where alumni can improve their
entrepreneurial knowledge and skills through advanced courses, and free
financial counseling; the latter aids in establishing or improving
credit history, creating a personal budget, opening a bank account,
reducing debt, preparing the alumni's taxes for free, and more; and

WHEREAS, Alongside financial counseling, alumni also receive free
business counseling; WIBO's business advisory council has top experts in
human resources, project management, business law, brand marketing, and
more, to help all alumni with their business needs; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those
organizations and individuals who faithfully devote their purposeful
energies to fostering opportunities for and to contributing to the
quality of life for the youth of the communities they serve; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 56th Anniversary of Workshop in Business Opportunities
of Harlem, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Stephen Jackson, CEO of WIBO.