---
title: About Us
description: SBAC Empower supports underfunded Chicago neighborhoods through mentoring, resources, and workshops, fostering small business growth and community development since 2016.
---

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- [Home](https://sbacempower.org?hsLang=en)
- [Mentoring](https://sbacempower.org/mentoring-program?hsLang=en)
- [About Us](https://sbacempower.org/about-us)
- [Resource Page](https://sbacempower.org/resource-page?hsLang=en)
- [Partners & Sponsors](https://sbacempower.org/partners-and-sponsors?hsLang=en)
- [Media Kit](https://sbacempower.org/media-kit?hsLang=en)
- [GRANTS](https://sbacempower.org/grants-funding-opportunities?hsLang=en)
- [Blogs](https://sbacempower.org/blog?hsLang=en)
- [DONATE](https://sbacempower.org/donate?hsLang=en)

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# A Commitment To Chicago's Underfunded Neighborhoods

**SBAC Empower** was founded in 2016 as a **501(c)(3)** Not-For-Profit business and community education organization. Based in Chicago, we extend our assistance to all neighbourhoods in the Chicago area. We focus more on the areas with less resources, funding, and attention. The communities we have helped include: **Greater Englewood**, **North Lawndale**, **South Shore**, **Cook County Jail**, **Logan Square, Greater Roseland, Woodlawn**, and **more.**

![empower-clean-trans-6ccd1028-8540-4929-8982-67c1215c9f0a](https://sbacempower.org/hs-fs/hubfs/empower-clean-trans-6ccd1028-8540-4929-8982-67c1215c9f0a.png?width=500&height=300&name=empower-clean-trans-6ccd1028-8540-4929-8982-67c1215c9f0a.png "empower-clean-trans-6ccd1028-8540-4929-8982-67c1215c9f0a")

**To assist** in the development of these communities and their businesses, we run a mentorship program. **The Mentorship Program** assigns a *Mentor *- an individual with experience in small business growth, assistance, and advocacy - to a *Mentee *- the small business owner. Mentors will assist Mentees with any questions, ideas, or concerns that they may have pertaining to their business.

## What We Do

### Mentoring

We provide small businesses in underfunded neighborhoods with a well-versed mentor

### Resources + Grants

Quick, easily available resources geared towards small businesses and small business owners. 

### Workshops

Dedicated to small businesses and supported by our sponsors, our workshops are meant to educate small business owners

![Our mission](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7528309/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-cms-elevate-theme_hubspot/elevate/images/our-mission.png)

## SBAC Empower is a charitable organization dedicated to helping underfunded, underappreciated neighborhoods grow

## Our Board

Meet our dedicated board of directors

![Scott](https://sbacempower.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Scott.jpg?width=1080&height=1080&name=Scott.jpg)

### Scott Baskin

*President & CEO of Mark Shale (Retired)*

President & Founder of **SBAC Empower**

![Lisa](https://sbacempower.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Lisa.png?width=300&height=300&name=Lisa.png)

### Lisa Meredith

*ProVisors*

![Iris](https://sbacempower.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Iris.jpg?width=438&height=438&name=Iris.jpg)

### Iris Marreck

*Iris b. branding & communications*

![Elliot](https://sbacempower.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Elliot.png?width=922&height=620&name=Elliot.png)

### Elliot Richardson

*Small Business Advocacy Council*

*Korey Richardson*

![patti-5dc0e906-4dec-467b-a7a6-eb1b228f4c01](https://sbacempower.org/hs-fs/hubfs/patti-5dc0e906-4dec-467b-a7a6-eb1b228f4c01.jpeg?width=446&height=455&name=patti-5dc0e906-4dec-467b-a7a6-eb1b228f4c01.jpeg)

### Patti Zikmund

*Big Buzz Idea Group*

***Board Treasurer***

![Danielle](https://sbacempower.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Danielle.jpg?width=500&height=500&name=Danielle.jpg)

### Danielle Petty

*Pinpoint Precision Engineering*

![Bill](https://sbacempower.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Bill.jpg?width=341&height=341&name=Bill.jpg)

### Bill Maloney

*5/3 Bank*

![Sherry](https://sbacempower.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Sherry.jpg?width=280&height=280&name=Sherry.jpg)

### Sherry Jursa

*PNC Bank*

![david davis headshot image](https://sbacempower.org/hs-fs/hubfs/David.jpg?width=960&height=960&name=David.jpg)

### David Davis

*Davis Audio*

[![](https://sbacempower.org/hs-fs/hubfs/emp-circle-clear.png?width=120&height=120&name=emp-circle-clear.png)](https://sbacempower.org/?hsLang=en)

- [Home](https://sbacempower.org?hsLang=en)
- [Mentoring](https://sbacempower.org/mentoring-program?hsLang=en)
- [About Us](https://sbacempower.org/about-us)
- [Resource Page](https://sbacempower.org/resource-page?hsLang=en)
- [Partners & Sponsors](https://sbacempower.org/partners-and-sponsors?hsLang=en)
- [Media Kit](https://sbacempower.org/media-kit?hsLang=en)
- [GRANTS](https://sbacempower.org/grants-funding-opportunities?hsLang=en)
- [Blogs](https://sbacempower.org/blog?hsLang=en)
- [DONATE](https://sbacempower.org/donate?hsLang=en)

SBAC Empowerment Foundation | 20 N. Clark St, Chicago IL, 60657 | +1 (217) 860-0422

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