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"THE TIME IS NOW!!! Black chambers are important because they give communities more
opportunities to unite and develop not only their personal economic growth, but also their
self-worth. Moreover, people of color, particularly African Americans, have been born
without luxuries such as old money and legacies to endow their children. Black chambers
encourage individuals to think outside of the box. That includes thinking about subsequent
generations instead of themselves. Black chambers are educating others that the future is
"not just for me," it's for my family and your family. "Cast down your bucket where you are;"
Strengthen the roots around you and begin to grow and build economically as high as you can,
but never forget that you must consider those around you during your production of
wealth. Strength comes in numbers. Wake up and smell the coffee!"
Thomas Alford
Founder
Christine's Coffee
"In less than two years the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce has been recognized at
the state and local levels for the work it has been doing. Promoting a system that is designed
to unite the black business community at every level. The Wisconsin Black Chamber of
Commerce now has business contacts in the ten (10) largest cities in the State of Wisconsin.
In the past year the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce has grown to 42 members, it is
the fastest growing black chamber in the state."
Ruben Hopkins
President/CEO
Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
"The Georgia Black Chamber's major accomplishment is knowing that our mission and vision
has been met. When members express how the GBCC have opened closed doors and
provided resources and connections that positively impact their businesses bottom line, we
have done our job to help African American businesses".
Theresa Walker
Executive Director
Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce
"Our fierce economic and public policy advocacy has fostered new partnerships with the
four new aldermen that serve our community. These new partnerships will help lead our
community in driving economic development, business and housing ownership along with
wealth creation. This is a new day in the community".
Arness Dancy
President/ CEO
Englewood Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
"Special Thanks to The National Black Chamber and supporting Black Chambers across the
country for a successful conference in February 2007: We Are Better Together. We are
currently working with two other Black Chambers in New Jersey to establish a statewide
organization."
John Harmon
President/ CEO
Metro Trenton African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
"In our formative months, the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce has established essential
partnerships with various local agencies that will expand programs for small business growth.
We have supported an initiative to form a consortium of five ethnic chambers and two
Economic/business development enterprises to be known as United 4 Economic Development,
which the executive director of the Utah Black Chamber was elected chairperson on March
2007. In addition, this unified group campaigned to appoint the executive director of the Utah
Black Chamber to be a board member on the State of Utah, Governor's Office of Economic
Development Board; effective May 2007."
Stanley Ellington
President/ CEO
Utah Black Chamber of Commerce
"The Suncoast African American Chamber of Commerce has recently partnered with the City
of Tampa and their Adopt a Park program and is now responsible for the beautification of
that park."
Carlton Lewis
President/ CEO
Suncoast African American Chamber of Commerce, Tampa
"The Florida Black Chamber chartered five new local chambers, with five additional in
development. Year end goal is twenty National Black Chamber affiliates, currently have 15
operating. Established the Florida State Black Tourism Center, including ten local tourism
centers, and helped establish the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network
that has received over $500,000 to preserve Black Museum Artifacts in the State of Florida.
Working to bring to fruition three Essential Housing Programs for devastated Gulf Coast."
Gene Franklin
Executive Director,
Florida Black Chamber of Commerce.
"In the face of Proposition 209 banning affirmative action in California, the San Francisco
African American Chamber of Commerce (SFAACC) has been able to establish "set-a-side"
for Black businesses with City agencies, University of California, SF and others. Also the
Chamber initiated California Governor Schwarzenegger's Executive Order for a goal of
25% small business and 10% minority business on behalf of the National Black Chamber.
Because the San Francisco Black community has the highest predatory loan rate in the US,
SFAACC filed with the Federal Reserve Board to block the merger of two major banks
doing business in San Francisco. SFAACC's biggest event to date this year has been the
Juneteenth Luncheon to celebrate "African American Independence Day," when the
last group of slaves were freed in Texas on June 19, 1865."
Frederick Jordan, PE, President
San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce
"I've been with the Baton Rouge Black Chamber of Commerce since November 27, 2006,
and there have been several accomplishments for us. Membership has increased over 75%,
Mayor Kip Holden's Office appropriated $85,000 for us to continue our economic
development efforts, and we played a vital role in bringing National Conferences to our
city, (i.e.), National Conference of Black Mayors and the National African American School
Board Summit. We are moving forward to position our members for upcoming emerging
opportunities, but in the meantime we are sticking with our core values, which are to
educate, mentor, unite and empower."
Kathy Fletcher
Executive Director
Baton Rouge Black Chamber of Commerce
"We are working to develop a long term strategy for the MBCC. Over the last year we have
had mild progress: However, we did manage to complete our Memorandum of
Understanding to build an Entrepreneur Institute with Tougaloo College, a private HBCU;
they will also provide office space free for the Chamber. Secondly, we championed the cause
for Jackson Public School System to adopt buy Jackson first pledge. Since City of Jackson is
over 65% black, and the school board just approved a $150mm school bond issue for new
schools and renovations this will put a lot of money back into our community. We have met
with the Governor's people and Toyota representatives to help ensure minorities are a part
of the new Toyota plant being built in Northeast Mississippi. In November we will have
our first annual Economic Symposium in conjunction with the MS Expo."
J. R. Jones
Executive Director
Mississippi Black Chamber of Commerce.
"As an African American community we have exceptional buying power in today's
marketplace. In saying this, African Americans rarely capitalize on that fact. We need
chambers of commerce, throughout the country, to help black business owners profit from
the ever growing American economy. We cannot hesitate or waiver in our efforts to blossom
as individuals and as a community. We MUST ACT NOW in order to secure a bright
tomorrow for our children and our children's children. The tools are at your disposal, and
with the help of African American Chambers of Commerce we can all follow the right path
to economic success."
Jon Edwards
Special Assistant to the Founders
National Black Chamber of Commerce
"It is essential that we, as African Americans, have a Black Chamber of Commerce because
our rights and civil liberties have been infringed upon for far too long. A middle ground
is imperative for networking and communication in order to organize a successful,
promising future. Black Chambers of Commerce spread nationally across this seemingly
infinite capitalistic society could only strengthen a case for security and and substantial
economic growth."
Harry C. Alford
Sports Clothing Importer
"The Kansas State Black Chamber sponsored the KPRS 103.3 Soul Food tour to increase traffic
at black establishments like Mama's House and Charlie D's. KBCC also sponsored the
Kansas Conference on Poverty advocating an increase of $2.65 to the current minimum per
hour wage and increasing the number of black businesses that employ staff."
Frank Clay Jr.
Chairman
Kansas State Black Chamber.
"The County President tried to steamroll a tax increase on the users of cell phones. Our
chamber alerted the County Council that this would be an onorous tax on every
individual using a cell phone (man, woman and child). The tax increase was unanimously
defeated. In fact, the County Commission will not approve any tax increase or Tax
Incremental Funding, TIF, without consulting first with the Black Chamber. Just another
reason for a Black Chamber of Commerce."
Morris "Mike" Little
Chairman Emeritus
Prince George's County Black Chamber of Commerce.
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