Black Business Council is advancing inclusion in our regional economy

You can’t create solutions until you have a firm understanding of challenges and opportunities. Last week, we convened the first meeting of the Black Business Council, a group of business owners and community leaders from across the region who are generously volunteering their time, talent and insight to move our region forward. It is a goal we wholeheartedly share.

It was the first of three Minority Business Councils the Chamber will be launching this year. In the coming months, we will be convening a Hispanic and a Women’s Business Council. “The first meeting was very promising and our goal was to really listen to the needs and concerns of business owners. Those who attended were very excited to have this platform and exposure. They gained a better understanding of who the Chamber is and what we can do to continue to foster inclusion in our regional economy and help all businesses grow. And we will work in collaboration with the QC Empowerment Network,” said Mark Holloway, the Chamber’s Vice President, Talent and Inclusion.

Not everyone could attend the first meeting, but many more Black businesses are interested in joining the council to share, collaborate, and create solutions. We can achieve our goals for the region: increase population and GDP by building a talent pipeline and alternative career pathways. We can be a region where workers seek to be recruited and employees are eager to be retained. We can make the QC the best and most recognized region to launch a business and grow a family. QC, That’s Where we are a welcoming and inclusive community and we are relentless in our efforts. 

As we continue to meet with Black business owners and prepare to launch the Hispanic and the Women’s Business Councils, we ask the owners, leaders and community advocates to elevate our understanding of the challenges they face so we can ensure businesses have all of the resources, opportunities and connections to succeed. And through their involvement, they support the broader community and the regional economy.

If you’d like to participate in a Minority Business Council, please do. You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend, share and contribute. Or, if you have an idea or are faced with a business challenge, reach out to us individually. We are your Chamber, and we are striving to achieve the same mission: to create a prosperous region where all can thrive.

Businesses attending the inaugural Black Business Council meeting included:

• Bayside Bistro
• Dress For Success
• 4 Sher Cut and Style Barbershop
• Iman Consulting
• McFarlane Marketing
• QC Empowerment Network
• TLT Accounting