Business

African-American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin To Open Its New Office “Legacy”

MILWAUKEE COURIER — With their new space, AACCW can showcase more of their services.

Published

7 years ago

March 11, 2019

By Nyesha Stone

The African-American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin (AACCW) is following the Sherman Phoenix’s model by expanding its office space and providing space for Black entrepreneurs with its new development: “Legacy”.

According to AACCW’S President Ossie Kendrix, AACCW’s current office, which is housed on the sixth floor of 6th Street and Wisconsin doesn’t have much space, so he went on a journey looking for a new space.

With their new space, AACCW can showcase more of their services, said Kendrix. The new offices will be located at 1920 N MLK Dr., with the doors opening later this year in July.

“It’s a great place to have our services that the Chamber offers,” Kendrix said about “Legacy.”

The entire space totals 4,212 sq. ft.—the AACCW’s will use around 1,300 sq. ft. for their offices, about 1,500 sq. ft. for the SHARE kitchen and around 1,400 sq. ft. for African-American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin To Open Its New Office “Legacy” co-working space for the entrepreneurs.

The SHARE kitchen was created specifically for bakers and cooks to give them access to commercial-grade kitchen amenities, and to hopefully encourage more cooking space during peak seasons.

“There are no obstacles in our way,” Kendrix said about attaining their fundraising goal of $500,000 to complete Legacy. AACCW is currently developing a business plan and stepping up their business model to make sure this development becomes a reality, said Kendrix.

The Legacy construction team includes general contractor JCP Construction, whose offices are also located in Bronzeville where Legacy will be located. Also, Wauwatosa-based Galbraith Carnahan Architects have been selected as architects to design the development.

When it comes to who will be residing in the entrepreneur space, Kendrix said the Chamber doesn’t have to look far. AACCW has a little less than 225 members who are ready to take on this opportunity.

“We’re excited to welcome Legacy and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin to Dr. Martin Luther King Drive Jr. Drive,” said Deshea Agee, Executive Director of Historic King Drive BID 8 in a press release.

The biggest impact Kendrix hopes Legacy brings is the spirit for entrepreneurship. He stated that the Black community needs to open up the conversation about working for ourselves, and Legacy could be that bridge.

“Develop a legacy, a successful plan and consider entrepreneurship,” Kendrix said to anyone reading this article.

AACCW is still looking to reach its $500,000 goal. To donate or to find out more about Legacy, visit http://aaccwi.org/legacy.

This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Courier.

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Activism

‘Hire Oakland’ Job Fair Draws 2,000, Connecting Residents to Immediate Job Opportunities

Oakland’s Hire Oakland job fair, hosted by Mayor Barbara Lee’s office, connected over 2,000 job seekers with employers, highlighting a strong demand for quality jobs and career pathways in the city.

Published

24 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Left to right: Yawo Tekpa, OPIC Manager, One Stop Operator; Sofia Navarro, Deputy City Administrator; and Ray Lankford, CEO of the Oakland Private Industry Council. Photo by Jonathan Fitness Jones.

By Post Staff

The Office of Mayor Barbara Lee, in partnership with the City of Oakland and regional employers, hosted a successful Hire Oakland job fair this week at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, bringing together job seekers and employers for a day focused on opportunity, connection, and economic mobility.

With more than 2,000 RSVPs, the event on Wednesday reflected strong demand across Oakland for access to quality jobs and career pathways. Attendees participated in on-site recruitment, application support, and hands-on workshops designed to help job seekers navigate hiring processes and prepare for interviews.

Over the course of the day, employers and community partners engaged directly with residents in a welcoming, high-energy environment centered on opportunity and hope. Participating employers included EBMUD, Samuel Merritt University, the City of Oakland, BART, PG&E, AC Transit, East Bay Regional Parks District, Southwest Airlines, FedEx, and many others offering immediate openings and career pathways across sectors.

Workforce development partners Oakland Private Industry Council (OPIC) and Lao Family Community Development provided connections to résumé support, interview coaching, and individualized job search assistance throughout the event.

The strong turnout underscores a clear reality: Oakland residents are eager for pathways into meaningful work, and sustained investment in youth and workforce programs is essential.

That is why Mayor Lee has prioritized relaunching the Oakland Police Cadet Program and the Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program (MYEEP)—ensuring young people have early access to paid work experience, mentorship, and long-term career pathways, according to a City press statement.

“The turnout shows what we already know—Oaklanders are ready to work, ready to grow, and ready to build their futures here at home,” said Lee. “When we connect people directly to employers and invest in young people early, we are not just filling jobs—we are changing lives and strengthening our city’s future.”

The Hire Oakland job fair is part of the City’s broader effort to strengthen workforce pipelines, expand access to good-paying jobs, and ensure Oakland residents are first in line for local opportunity.

About Hire OaklandHire Oakland is a citywide workforce initiative led by the Office of Mayor Barbara Lee in partnership with City departments, workforce development organizations, and regional employers. The program connects Oakland job seekers to real-time hiring opportunities, training resources, and career pathways.