Hi! Our last Community Spotlight belongs to another company that works to empower the Black community through professional and economic advancement. I really had no idea there were so many organizations like this, and while I'm glad I know now, I also wish there were more local chapters of these companies. The work that they could do in smaller urban areas is near unlimited, and with Black/overall minority empowerment being attacked on all fronts (that's what it feels like sometimes), it's important that there are organizations to help us learn and have more power over our economic and professional well-being. Strangely enough, this one seems to be shrouded in a bit of mystery. I can't remember finding another organization that has more dead ends but seems quite established. Here's what I was able to find!
Name: US Black Chambers, Inc. (Not to be confused with the National Black Chamber of Commerce, a previous entrant)
Date of establishment and founders: A group of founders including Aubry Stone but the date is unclear (This is the first time that these weren't public knowledge. I couldn't find the date of incorporation and the site's archives use a now-defunct website. The archives go back to 2012 but I don't know who the other founders are nor do I have a firm date on when the organization was created or incorporated. If you know the answer, drop it in the comments and I'll change this section.)
Purpose of organization: To provide committed, visionary leadership and advocacy in the realization of economic empowerment by creating resources and initiatives to help African-American chambers of commerce develop and grow Black enterprises
Why is the Spotlight on it today? For its work to empower the Black community through economic and professional resources
Notables and accolades:
--Has five main points of focus, which are referred to as the Five Pillars of Service: advocacy, access to capital, contracting, entrepreneur training and Black chamber development
--Co-created (or sponsored) a program called Millennial Entrepreneurs Redefined designed to help millennial entrepreneurs via a workshop series--this hasn't been updated since 2017 though
--Hosts an annual policy breakfast during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference to discuss topics affecting the Black community, like access to capital and using the digital space to create opportunities
--Holds an annual 3-day business development conference to help connect Black Chambers with Black entrepreneurs and professionals in an effort to support Black-owned businesses
--Has a partnership with University of Phoenix to create more opportunities for USBC members to improve their access to capital through a combination of online financial education and micro-workshops with local chamber experts
--Has a partnership with the Black-owned Liberty Bank for a members-only credit card program
--Created the USBC Foundation, which supports the main USBC goal of being able to thrive in the professional area through technical service outreach and financial assistance to entrepreneurs
--Had a partnership with Capital Pathways to provide financial education and support to entrepreneurs in 10 cities across the country
Further reading links:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Quote of the Day:
"Black Americans remain the fastest growing population of entrepreneurs, we need a government that supports this progress, not obstructs it.”
--Ron Busby, USBC President
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