Primary Press Contact:

Jason Ortiz, President

860 639 8101, jason@minoritycannabis.org

Secondary Press Contact:

Brandon Banks, Economic Empowerment Committee Chair

brandonb@minoritycannabis.org

(773) 220-5786

 

CHICAGO – The Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) proudly announces it has been named to the Olive-Harvey College Cannabis Advisory Council. Olive-Harvey is part of the City Colleges of Chicago, the largest college system in Illinois and one of the largest in the United States.

This opportunity to directly empower young people of color is a dream come true for us,” said Brandon Banks, Chair of MCBA’s Economic Empowerment Committee and a Chicago native. “It is vital that our communities see real world examples of success and an opportunity to work through the challenges of entrepreneurship. With this partnership MCBA can directly mentor young entrepreneurs and leverage our expertise to help them achieve economic freedom through the cannabis industry.”

MCBA will help OHC develop curriculum and lesson plans designed to address the complex legal history of cannabis prohibition, how race and the criminal justice system impact the legal market, and current approaches toward achieving racial justice in the cannabis industry. The programming will bring sharp focus to advancing social equity across all on ramps to cannabis-related businesses.

In addition, all graduates of the program will be granted free membership into the association. This membership gives graduating students access to MCBA webinars – Live Q&A presentations from cannabis experts where topics include: cannabis business education, policy-making, and industry innovation. Access to education, resources, monthly digital newsletter and breaking news and advance notice of MCBA networking events where students can find mentors, job opportunities and other entrepreneurs in their field.

Dhyia Thompson-Phillips, Executive Director, Workforce Equity at OHC, recognizes the value that an organization composed of cannabis entrepreneurs of color brings to this initiative. “Having MCBA contribute to our development ensures that our programs will have the depth of perspective that will ensure our graduates fully understand the opportunities and challenges ahead,” said Thompson-Phillips.

More details on the Olive-Harvey College Cannabis Curriculum can be found at http://pages.ccc.edu/apply/cannabis/

About the Minority Cannabis Business Association Founded in 2015, the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) is the first 501(c)(6) not for profit business league created to serve the specific needs of minority cannabis entrepreneurs, workers, and patients/consumers. The MCBA represents more than 700 minority owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and patients from across the United States. Its 15-member board of directors is comprised of a diverse group of medical and legal professionals, cannabis industry veterans, and social advocates from across the U.S. You can find more information about us at www.minoritycannabis.org.