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COMMENTARY: Meet National Black Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Among states, Georgia had the largest total number with 256,848 black-owned businesses and accounted for 9.9 percent of the nation’s black-owned businesses, according to Black Demographics. Black businesses comprise 26% of Georgia businesses which is the second largest percentage in the nation. In 2018 Georgia ranked number one in the U.S. for small business climate and number two for most startups by women.

Published

7 years ago

April 14, 2019

Oakland Post

By Harry C. Alford & Kay DeBow, NNPA Newswire Contributors

The NBCC is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States and the Black Diaspora. NBCC provides resources to support the development of startups and established minority & women owned businesses.

The NBCC was incorporated in Washington, DC in March 1993. The NBCC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of African American communities. 120 affiliated chapters are locally based throughout the nation as well as international affiliated chapters based in Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, France, Botswana, Cameroon and Jamaica and businesses as well as individuals who may have chosen to be direct members with the national office.

The NBCC is a 501(c)3 corporation that is on the leading edge of educating and training Black communities on the need to participate vigorously in this great capitalistic society known as America.

The National Black Chamber of Commerce’s (NBCC) 27th Annual Conference is being held in Atlanta, Georgia July 24-27, 2019. Our theme is Economic Empowerment Through Entrepreneurial Pursuits.

Our Atlanta affiliate, Georgia Greater Black Chamber of Commerce, will connect us with a portion of the Black businesses throughout Georgia. Among states, Georgia had the largest total number with 256,848 black-owned businesses and accounted for 9.9 percent of the nation’s black-owned businesses, according to Black Demographics. Black businesses comprise 26% of Georgia businesses which is the second largest percentage in the nation. In 2018 Georgia ranked number one in the U.S. for small business climate and number two for most startups by women.

Black Demographics also states Black owned businesses in the United States increased 34.5% between 2007 and 2012 totaling 2.6 million Black firms. About 4 in 10 black-owned businesses (1.1 Million) in 2012 operated in the health care, social assistance; and other services such as repair, maintenance, personal and laundry services sectors.

Black businesses account for over $138 billion in revenue each year according to the US Bureau of Census.

Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp attest, “With low taxes, a business-friendly government, beautiful natural resources, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and the Port of Savannah, we feed the world with Georgia Grown products, lead the nation in aerospace, cyber innovation, and FinTech, and we proudly embrace our “Hollywood of the South” designation.

We are expecting entrepreneurs, business professionals, corporate and government representatives to attend this amazing conference. Our Diaspora panels attract attendees from France, Ghana, Colombia, Nigeria and Kenya.

The panel topics are varied and include some of the most urgent topics of today including Telemedicine, Cyber Security and Privacy. Capital Access, Energy, Telecom, Tech, Inclusion & Diversity, Diaspora Trade, Ports & Trade are also of paramount interest to today’s entrepreneur. We also will spend a day exploring the business of film, music and fashion with Master Class instruction.

If your community does not have a Black Chamber of Commerce, then someone in your community needs to step forward. If you are interested in starting your own chamber, join us and learn from business leaders the do’s and don’ts and best practices of chamber building.

Our four-day conference offers an opening reception, 2 days of entrepreneurial resources through paneled discussions, and high-level networking with successful entrepreneurs and business leaders complemented by intimate breakout sessions. On the last day of the conference we venture into the community for breakfast and recap.

Participants will engage in informative dialogues with national and international leaders. Last year’s speakers included Senator Tim Scott, NNPA’s Dr. Benjamin Chavis & Chairman Dorothy Leavell and Pastor Jamal Bryant to name a few. This year’s conference hotel is the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway (http://bit.ly/2UnsdSk) from July 24th – 27th, 2019. (Rooms are $159 for a king and $169 for a double. Reservations may also be made by calling 800-228-9290.) We are holding a small group of rooms at this discounted price.

We are certain this year’s NBCC conference will be of interest to you. Please contact kdebow@nationalbcc.org if you would like to support our conference; sponsorships start at $500 and up. We look forward to networking with you, register for this event at http://bit.ly/2PS7aoP.

Mr. Alford is the Co-Founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce ®. Ms. DeBow is the Co-Founder, Executive Vice President of the Chamber. Website: www.nationalbcc.org Emails: halford@nationalbcc.org kdebow@nationalbcc.org

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Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

By Jana Lang Propel Youth Reporter

Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.

Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).

Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.

According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”

Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.

EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”

Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.

An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”

The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.

The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”

The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”

Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.

Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.

Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.

The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts

Is your home EV charging setup ready? Dealerships may not warn you about critical outlet and circuit needs. Find out before you plug in!
The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Dealerships won’t tell you: charging this big battery at home isn’t always simple. Verify your outlet capacity, circuit, and setup before assuming level one or basic outdoor outlets will suffice.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/A9Cd2SspoaQ

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The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts

Don’t get tricked at the dealership! Learn essential car buying secrets to secure the best deal and avoid hidden traps.
The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Before stepping into a dealership, secure bank pre-approval for your financing rate. Then, get the out-the-door price in writing. Never discuss monthly payments until that number is fixed. Test road noise and rear visibility yourself. Decline add-ons with a simple ‘Not today’. Check backseat space with your tallest household member.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/maAOBjO1puY

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The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.