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durham business listening tour

FEBRUARY-APRIL 2026

Give It To The People® x Commissioner Michelle Burton x Durham County Library System present the Durham Business Listening Tour 

Durham’s business landscape is evolving, and so are the needs of the entrepreneurs who keep our county thriving. That’s why Give It To The People®, in partnership with Durham County Commissioner Michelle Burton and the Durham County Library System, is launching a countywide Durham Business Listening Tour, a dedicated effort to hear directly from the small business owners who fuel our local economy.

As one of the NC’s leading curators of business education, professional development, and ecosystem-building experiences, Give It To The People® knows that sustainable growth starts with real conversations. This tour is designed to meet business owners where they are, understand the challenges they face, and identify how they’re accessing (or struggling to access) the resources available across Durham and the Triangle.

Commissioner Michelle Burton brings the heart of an educator and the vision of a public servant to this initiative. Together, we are committed to being intentional about listening, truly listening, to what Durham’s business community needs to grow, hire, scale, innovate, and stay competitive.

Every stop on the tour will create space for entrepreneurs to share their lived experiences, offer insight on what’s working and what isn’t, and shape future solutions that reflect the real needs of our community. From new startups to established firms, from solo consultants to brick-and-mortar owners, this tour is a chance to ensure Durham’s economic ecosystem is responsive, equitable, and built to last.

As an added benefit, every attendee will have the opportunity to join the Give It Get It Biz Membership, the premier hub for small business connectivity, training, events, and ecosystem access in Durham. Membership opens the door to resources, relationships, and opportunities that help entrepreneurs navigate the region more effectively and stay plugged into the support system they deserve.

This Listening Tour is a commitment to building a stronger, more connected Durham where business owners feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive.

Let’s Give It & Get It Together.

 

 

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Money In Action

4.27 Money In Action: Business Tax Series

 

Money In Action: Tax Series is a three-part, in-person Lunch & Learn designed to help business owners stop guessing, start understanding, and walk into tax season prepared—not panicked.

Hosted by Give It To The People in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Revenue and Pinnacle Bank, this series brings credible experts to the table—literally—so you can ask real questions and get real answers.

  • 4.27.26 

    • Sales & Use Tax
      Learn when you should be collecting sales tax, how to file correctly, and how to avoid penalties that sneak up on growing businesses.

    • Online Seller Tax Basics Selling online, across platforms, or across state lines? This session breaks down what you actually owe and why.

 

 

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5.5.26 AI For Business Summit

How to Use AI for Business

Artificial Intelligence is here and it's not going anywhere. It's changing the world around us in many ways, including how we market our businesses. This lively in-person workshop will teach you how to use AI to make tasks easier while saving you time and making more money. Attendees can expect to learn: What tools are out there How to use them for marketing How to implement them in your business Speaker(s): Chisa Pennix-Brown, Give It To The People

9:00 A-10:30 A

How to Use AI to Create Your Brand Messaging

Every business needs a cohesive branding message and vision. This informative course will provide you with a BRAND UPGRADE CHECKLIST! All with the goal of creating a better brand and successful marketing campaigns. Attendees can expect: Individual goal setting to enhance your brand AI content creation & branding tips Visual aesthetic ideas for continuity Real world examples & tools Speaker(s): Chisa Pennix-Brown, Give It To The People

10:45 A to 12:15 P

Creating Videos for Business Using Canva

There are many ways in which business owners can share their business with potential clients. This seminar focuses on showing attendees how they can market their businesses using video. Come prepared to take home a large amount of information that can help you make your business successful. Speaker(s): Chisa Pennix-Brown, Give It To The People

1:00 P to 2:30 P

Canva + AI Tools & Tips

Choosing the right social media can be a daunting task for any business. Technology changes, algorithms, and what's "in" is ever changing. This lively course will point you in the direction of improvements, trends, and tips you can use in existing social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and TikTok. Speaker(s): Chisa Pennix-Brown, Give It To The People

2:45 P to 4:15 P

6.4.26 Canva Business Summit

Canva for Beginners

Understanding how Canva works and what you do with the platform will help you to keep your graphic design in-house and save money. Attendees of this lively workshop will be able to understand how to use the navigation, create a brand kit, choose fonts, and use your own photos and logos, while developing your visual brand. Speaker(s): Chisa Pennix-Brown, Give It To The People

9:00 A-10:30 A

Great Graphics and Templates with Canva

Graphics are a huge part of what attracts people to your brand. Canva is one of the leading graphic design programs that packs a big bang for your buck. In this lively course, we will walk through various graphic sizes, photos, and posts inside of this platform. Speaker(s): Chisa Pennix-Brown, Give It To The People

10:45 A to 12:15 P

Creating Videos for Business Using Canva

There are many ways in which business owners can share their business with potential clients. This seminar focuses on showing attendees how they can market their businesses using video. Come prepared to take home a large amount of information that can help you make your business successful. Speaker(s): Chisa Pennix-Brown, Give It To The People

1:00 P to 2:30 P

Canva + AI Tools & Tips

Canva can be used to create some graphics and assets for your business. This lively workshop will show you what apps are available and how you can use them to enhance your business. Speaker(s): Chisa Pennix-Brown, Give It To The People

2:45 P to 4:15 P

UPCOMING WEBINARS

4.16 VIRTUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETUP

4.16 6 PM
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