John A. Colastin, a businessman who resides in San Juan, Puerto Rico, attended the U.S. Black Chambers Inc. (USBC) Annual Conference and 15th Anniversary from July 17-20 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in downtown, D.C., with a mission. He hopes to build stronger ties between Black communities in Puerto Rico and the continental U.S., and he figured the USBC convening was the perfect place to help him achieve his major goal.
“I have a manufacturing and business development firm,” said Colastin. “This is my first time attending a U.S. Black Chambers Inc., conference. We need to have more interaction between Puerto Rico Black communities and the continental U.S. Black community. The purpose of this is to create the first Puerto Rico Black Chamber.”
Colastin was joined by scores of local Black chamber of commerce leaders, entrepreneurs from across the country, representatives and employees of corporations and federal government agencies and political leaders to celebrate 15 years of the USBC and to educate its members on the latest developments in the public and private sectors.
Ron Busby Sr., president and CEO of the USBC, hailed the 15th anniversary of the organization as a milestone moment. He underscored the importance of having such organizations as USBC in working to better the nation overall.
“In order for there to be a great America, there must be a great Black America, and in order for there to be a great Black America, there must be great Black businesses,” said Busby at the opening session on July 17. “The purpose of this conference is to educate, motivate and entertain. Fifteen years ago, we had six chambers as members and today we have 175.”
Busby said there are 3.6 million African American owned businesses in the U.S. that average about $164,000 in revenue annually. He noted that during the coronavirus pandemic, 41% of all Black businesses closed and stressed the need for more work in creating and sustaining African American owned firms.
“We want to bridge the racial wealth gap and create economic opportunities for Blacks,” he said.
Busby emphasized the organization’s five pillars: advocacy, access to capital, contracting, entrepreneurial training and chamber development as central to the USBC’s mission. Later that day, the organization’s president and CEO announced a memorandum of understanding with the Native American Contractors Association and USBC to build business partnerships and collaborative advocacy “to bring our communities together.”
While workshops were held on such topics as government procurements tips and practices, the use of artificial intelligence in business operations and how to thwart the attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, there were also discussions by political and civil rights leaders on Project 2025, the 900-page conservative blueprint by the Heritage Foundation on how America should be run if former U.S. President Donald Trump regains the White House in November.
Former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams participated in a robust discussion about the November general election and the negative impact that Project 2025 will have if implemented into policy on July 18. The Rev. Jamal Bryant, who took the place of absent National Action Network founder and president the Rev. Al Sharpton, also denounced Project 2025 and encouraged Black males to vote in large numbers in November.
Former NBA star and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson talked to the gathering about his entrepreneurial pursuits.
“I go to bed at night and wake up trying to uplift Black people,” said Johnson, 58.
Johnson said he is working to expand his restaurant chain, FixIns, possibly to the District.
In addition, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) spoke about his programs for post-high school graduate public service, efforts to make sure minority and female owned firms have an opportunity to do business with the state and eliminating child poverty.
Moore also emphasized his work to aid Black Marylanders and end economic disparities for African Americans nationwide.
“I am honored to be the first Black governor of Maryland but that is not the assignment,” said Moore, 45. “I want to close the racial wealth gap.”
@JamesWrightJr10
Source: Washington Informer
