Black Business and Rotary Networking, Oct 27

October Event - Thursday,  Oct. 27, 5:30-7pm. In partnership with Tomme Beevas and Pimentos Jamaican Kitchen, the last monthly Black Business Networking event of this year will encourage us to continue to expand the efforts of our club's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. This networking event will be the last meeting held this year from 5:30-7pm at Pimento Jamaican Kitchen, 2524 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404. This week's featured entrepeneur is Valerie "Coach Val" Turner, fitness instructor, lifestyle coach and entrepreneur.  Meeting details are:

5:30-6:00 Social & networking time — the rum punch will be flowing! 
6:00-6:15 Introductions around the room, including each attendee's business background
6:15-6:45 Featured Black Entrepreneur presents their business story to the group
6:45-7:00 Q &A session and wrap up

Valerie “Coach Val” Turner is a mother to her son Josiah, fitness instructor, lifestyle coach and entrepreneur. A graduate of Florida A&M University, Turner moved to Minneapolis in 2003 to work at Medtronic. She later worked at Target. In 2014, she resigned from her corporate career due to major life transitions.

Later, Turner heard a disturbing discussion during a radio program about health disparities and the high number of Black men and women dying in Minnesota, especially in North Minneapolis where she lives. She was then inspired to start her career in health and fitness with a mission to reduce health disparities and increase physical activity among Black and Latino people.

Since 2014, Turner has created a fitness movement in North Minneapolis by providing free health and fitness services, cultural relevance and inclusiveness to all fitness levels and backgrounds in partnership with organizations such as Pillsbury United Communities, North Point Health and Wellness, Greater Twin Cities United Way, St. Paul Parks and Recreation and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation.

In 2017-19, she coached diabetes prevention to over 300 women. Her weekly fitness classes impact over 200 people per month.

In 2019, Turner founded VF Health Fitness Solutions to provide services such as community health and fitness and corporate wellness management led by people who are empathetic, sympathetic and passionate about the health and wellness of Black and Latino people.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD & BRING YOUR FRIENDS!  This will be promoted within Rotary and within the Black Business Community, and our goal is to grow this over time. But we need your help to promote this cultural residency and cross-culture business network!