1.  A Very Successful Fall Summit: We want to thank all of the participants in our Fall Summit held in New Orleans last week.  Bethel’s Place Black Chamber of Commerce was the “shining star” in showing what our Black Church Division is doing in empowering a community through faith and entrepreneurship.  Our plans for 2012 have been solidified and we move forward with a keen strategy.  Mayor Mitch Landrieu stopped by to speak for 15 minutes and ended up staying an hour and 20 minutes.  He was a big hit and is proud of the progress being made in New Orleans.  Our 2012 Chair was nominated and approved and we will announce the results soon.  Our formal “Changing of the Chairs” will take place in Washington, DC in late January, 2012, Stay tuned. 

2.  Keynote in Mombassa, Kenya: At the request of Kenya Prime Minister Odinga, NBCC President Harry C. Alford will give a keynote address at the Coast Province Investment Conference, November 23 – 24, 2011, in Mombassa, Kenya.  This event will highlight the aggressive development plans for this nation and Mr. Alford will elaborate on the partnership that is growing between African American entrepreneurs and those of Kenya in addressing the vast amount of opportunity that Kenya Vision 2030 promises.  Many of our members are very anxious in participating in the vast amount of contracts that will be coming into fruition.  For instance, the 47 counties of Kenya will become states with Governors being the Executive Officer of each state in August, 2012.  We have been contacted by principals of Kilifi County on the Indian Ocean Coast of Kenya.  Their projects will be: Budget Airlines ($50 million infusion), New Sinbad Hotel, NewMalindi Airport, Langobaya Resort City, Waterfront Development, Dry Dock, Highway (80 Kilometers), Kilifi Cashew Factory ($20 million), Palm Tree Plant Processing ($10 million), Commercial Bank and an Offshore Oil Drilling Project.  This is just one of 47 states.  The transformation of Kenya is aggressive and they are inviting our entrepreneurs to participate.  The opportunity is indeed historical and the NBCC will be the leading force in this endeavor.  For the architects and engineers who have already met at the Kenya Embassy, please count on our follow up and expect recurring news on the developments.  You are in the “first queue” and will be able to aggressively pursue the opportunities that will take place.

3.  By-Laws Changes: We will amend our By-Laws to include two new officer positions.  One is a Vice Chair.  The Vice Chair will prepare for Chairmanship during the year before his/her appointment.  This will make the officer ready for the duties as opposed to “on-the-job training”.  The other position will be Past Chair.  The Past Chair will be able to make Congressional Hearings and formal appearances based on his/her experiences during the previous tenure of Chair.  Vice Chair, Chair and Past Chair will bring further continuity in the management of the NBCC. 

HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING WITH YOUR LOVE ONES!  TO THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES, WE ARE; THE NATIONAL BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC. ®