by Daniel Johnson
September 22, 2024
The newly fashioned Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce needs to empower the area’s Black group by enterprise.
In Ohio’s Summit County, Black enterprise house owners got here collectively to type the Black Chamber of Commerce for Summit County after they realized that the county didn’t have a Chamber of Commerce arrange for Black companies.
Based on Sign Akron, the Black Chamber of Commerce was created to assist bridge the racial wealth hole and to create extra alternatives for Black entrepreneurs. Robert DeJournett, the Black Chamber of Commerce’s founding President and CEO, informed the outlet that Black companies within the enterprise group assume that the chamber is a good suggestion.
Based on a listing maintained by the U.S. Black Chambers, the Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce will grow to be one in every of 25 Black Chambers of Commerce within the Midwest and one in every of greater than 150 round the US.
“Everybody thinks it’s an amazing thought and far wanted, a few of our companies aren’t within the loop; they’re off the radar,” DeJournett informed Sign Akron.
Black Chamber of Commerce Vice President and COO, Misty Beasley informed Information 5 Cleveland, “Usually Black enterprise house owners are working of their enterprise, so it’s arduous to work on your corporation otherwise you don’t have the knowledge or the data or the sources to work on your corporation, and so with the ability to have a company that may enable you to try this and enable you to set your self up for achievement, that’s large.”
Based on knowledge from the U.S. Census, roughly one-third of Akron’s inhabitants is Black. Akron is the county seat of Summit County, and based on a 2017 examine from the Higher Akron Chamber of Commerce, a whole lot of the county’s Black group is excluded from financial alternatives.
“Left unaddressed, this lack of inclusion will severely hinder innovation and startup exercise, and lead to a workforce incapable of collaborating within the knowledge-based financial system,” discovered the report.
As Beasley informed Sign Akron, “We wish to be a voice to talk out for Black-owned companies.” Beasley was previously employed by the Akron City League. “We’re desirous to create one thing the place we’re serving to ourselves.”
Based on a press launch issued by the Black Chamber of Commerce for Summit County, “The mission of the Black Chamber of Commerce – Summit County (BCCSC) is to develop, empower, promote, and assist Black-owned companies and to be a collective voice and advocate on behalf of the curiosity of the Black enterprise group and the group at giant. The nonprofit goals to bridge the racial wealth hole by driving entrepreneurship and creating alternatives for inclusive commerce. It can deal with key areas comparable to advocacy, schooling, collaborations, and useful resource accessibility, enabling Black entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to the area’s prosperity.”
Summit County’s Black Chamber of Commerce is looking for donations from founding donors of not less than $1,000 which is able to assist speed up the group’s development. In return, the group is promising unique recognition for its donors, which incorporates: Founding Donor itemizing on the group’s web site, acknowledgement within the Black Chamber of Commerce headquarters or places of work, invites to the Founding Donor Recognition occasion, a founding donor pin and certificates, entry to unique occasions, advantages, and reductions, and the chance to affix the Founding Donor Advisory Board.
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