Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today announced that the Women’s Initiative for Self Employment in Oakland will receive a $81,000 sustainability grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration

Women's Initiative for Self Employment (WI), a Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center (WBC), provides business training and technical assistance in English and Spanish to low-income women in the Bay Area. The English language program consists of a 2-week business assessment workshop, a 14-week business-skills workshop and a 4-week workshop on writing a business plan. The Spanish-language program parallels the English but is in modular format. WI also offers business support services, including one-on-one consultations, peer networking and support groups, and special seminars.

The $81,000 federal grant will help Women’s Initiative for Self Employment in Oakland fund training, counseling, and mentoring services to women.

“I am very pleased that this money will be used to continue the terrific work of the Women’s Initiative.”

“Bay Area women are among the best and brightest entrepreneurs in the country, so I am particularly delighted that with these dollars, more women will get the opportunity to put their talents to work by gaining the skills needed to start, grow, or expand a business.”

The Women's Initiative for Self Employment (WI) Oakland is located at 11611 Telegraph Ave., Suite 702 Oakland, CA 94612. Telephone: English 510-451-3415. Spanish: 510-287-9970

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