Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Local business owner to hold networking event for minority women entrepreneurs

Christine Titih

While many businesses have faced closure during the pandemic, for some entrepreneurs it was the perfect time to start a business.

The organizer of the upcoming panel discussion, “EmergeHer,” hopes to encourage and provide resources to those budding business owners, specifically minority women.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing the number of new businesses that have developed during the pandemic,” said local business owner Christine Titih, organizer of the event. “I felt like there may be minority women that may be looking to get into business and don’t know how to start.”

Titih founded CT Home Care Services which provides assistance to people with intellectual disabilities. She also started Oaks of Central PA, a nonprofit that advocates for the African immigrant and refugee community of the Harrisburg area.

Her panel discussion, on Oct. 21 at Capital Blue Cross Connect in Enola, will feature minority women business owners who will share their stories of success and answer audience questions, Titih said.

Titih said she remembers how important it was to have business owner friends she could ask questions of when she started her home care service.

“It helped to be able to have that information and encouragement from someone who knows the field,” she said.

That’s why creating a space for networking and mentoring is important to her, she said.

The panel will feature the following speakers:

  • Hagir Elsheikh, owner/CEO of HSE Staffing Agency, founder/CEO of Tomorrow’s Smile
  • Emelia Kah Makor, co-owner and founder of Reves Etheres
  • Shariah Brown, president of Personal Touch Professional Cleaning Services, chairperson of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central PA
  • Dr. Robyn Joppy, founder of Visionary Pearls Management and Project Cultivate Inc.
  • Moriah Hathaway, executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women

Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Titih said that while registration for the in-person event is almost full, people can join the discussion via Zoom.

There will also be two grant giveaways, sponsored by Giant and Belco Community Credit Union. Attendees can apply for a $1,000 grant for a startup business that is less than two years old or for a $1,000 grant for an existing business.

“It’s all about giving women the tools, encouragement and connections to not only start a business, but sustain it,” she said.

“EmergeHer” will take place on Oct. 21 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Capital Blue Cross Connect, 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola. For more information, contact Christine Titih at oaksofcentralpa@gmail.com.

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