Black Chamber of Commerce

Nonprofit helps its membership – as well as the overall business community – grow

If you are an African American business owner in the Charlotte area who is looking to enhance the visibility and overall development of your business, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce wants to help you succeed.

Established in the late ’90s as a nonprofit, CMBCC’s purpose is to support the Charlotte-Mecklenburg business community through various means such as providing networking and educational opportunities, and serving as an advocate for businesses. CMBCC’s aggressive mission might be one reason for an influx of black and minority-owned businesses in the region, despite the recent recession.

“Our most vital function is to advocate for economic development opportunities,” says A.L. Fleming, vice chairman of the CMBCC. “(These opportunities) not only benefit our members but the Charlotte region, as well.”

Enjoying his roles as ‘an ambassador and conduit’

Having served on the board since 2011, Fleming says he has truly found his niche as vice president.

“I’ve found this position most intriguing due to the level of assistance we are able to provide new, growing and flourishing business,” he says. “Supporting black-owned, minority-owned and really all businesses is a passion of mine. The chamber allows me to serve as an ambassador and conduit.”

Fleming and the other board members collaborate to bring innovative ideas to the table. He and the board members also work vigorously to build lasting partnerships with city leaders, business owners and philanthropists.

“A great movement we are trying to create as the Black Chamber of Commerce is to become a repository for knowledge that will help businesses grow and flourish,” Fleming explains.

Developing relationships is a crucial element of CMBCC’s mission. To tackle this, CMBCC created a public policy committee consisting of chamber members, board members, community advocates and elected officials who assist in crafting and delivering CMBCC’s message to other elected members, state officials and corporations.

Plenty of opportunities to learn and network

CMBCC also utilizes special workshops and keynote programs to help carry out its ambitious mission.

On June 26, CMBCC is holding its monthly Go Forth and Export free workshop, with information on best practices, free-trade agreements, how to access capital, how to identify the best export markets, and negotiating and getting paid for export sales.

The chamber recently conducted a Small Business Solutions series in conjunction with Wells Fargo and the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce, and is supporting the city of Charlotte in its own small business effort. CMBCC held its first in a series of “Super Networking” events, focusing on sports and entertainment, during this year’s CIAA event.

The chamber is working on a series of events, immediate and future, that it plans to host. Networking programs take place on the first Friday of every month, and a series named “JumpStart,” which is for businesses less than 3 years old, is being developed. The BizExec series, designed to help businesses grow and build sustainable organizations, is in the works for later in 2013.

Contact with businesses outside the region

Though the primary focus of CMBCC is to help grow and develop African American businesses in the Charlotte region, an element of that process is reaching out to similar businesses in other states and gauging their interest in expanding – or even relocating – their operations to Charlotte.

Will Peters, CMBCC treasurer, plays a vital role in making contact with businesses from other markets. Speaking with entrepreneurs from Charlotte and other cities, Peters has developed an even greater appreciation of the importance of bringing those businesses together.

“Bridging the gap between businesses here in Charlotte and businesses in other cities is one of the tools that can help with growth,” Peters says.

Regardless of whether you are a “solopreneur” who is working alone, or a small business owner who has 10 employees, joining the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce can only be advantageous to your situation, Fleming says.

“Some of the great keys to success are the opportunity to access resources that lead to partnerships, capital and knowledge,” Fleming notes. “As a member of the black chamber, you will have access to all three, along with a cadre of individuals who are available to mentor.”

For more information or to join the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce, visit www.cmbcc.org.