Connect with us

#NNPA BlackPress

The Biggest Afro Business Association in the World Visits Cali, Colombia

NNPA NEWSWIRE — NBCC is the biggest Afro business association in the world, established in 1993. It has more than 120 local headquarters in 40 states in 50 nations. The Chamber is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining Afro American communities, through the business spirit and capitalist activity within the United States and through the interaction with the Afro-Diaspora. Cali has the greatest concentration of Afro Colombian population in Colombia, with 1.1 million people; and it is the second in Latin America.

Published

on

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

The potential of the city region and its progress are presented to the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC).

Dateline: Cali, Colombia — The city region has competitive advantages that are focused on: A diverse business fabric; its disposition towards international markets; highly developed human capital; presence of foreign investment; the primary services pole; the most developed and sophisticated network of roads in the country; an international airport; and Buenaventura’s port – the country’s main port in the Pacific Coast — as the commercial canal to Pacific Asia.

For such reasons and others, NBCC will be in the city – event organized in collaboration between the Secretary of Economic Development in Cali, and the Promotion Agency for Investment in Valle del Cauca, Invest Pacific. During their weeklong visit, NBCC will evidence the economic and business potential of the region which will allow value connections between the entities as well as contributing to the strengthening of the city’s businesses.

“This is a business association of African Americans interested in investing in Colombia and they’ve chosen Cali for being a diverse city and with active participation of the Afro population. Furthermore, it’s been chosen for its competitive potential as a service city. From the Maurice Armitage Administration, we aim to improve the income generation and opportunities of the people of Cali and the Afro population. We will present to them all investment possibilities in different sectors from infrastructure, services, and technology, among others. And we hope these businessmen will take back with them the best image of the city region,” manifested Angélica Mayolo Obregón, Secretary of Economic Development in Cali.

“Invest Pacific, in collaboration with Cali’s City Hall, through the Secretary of Economic Development, continues to strengthen the promotional strategies and relationships between global key players and our local business fabric. The visit from these business owners affiliated to such an important Chamber of Commerce, represents an opportunity to explore related projects and stretch commercial bonds with the region,” informed Alejandro Ossa Cárdenas, Executive Director of Invest Pacific.

NBCC is the biggest Afro business association in the world, established in 1993. It has more than 120 local headquarters in 40 states in 50 nations. The Chamber is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining Afro American communities, through the business spirit and capitalist activity within the United States and through the interaction with the Afro-Diaspora. Cali has the greatest concentration of Afro Colombian population in Colombia, with 1.1 million people; and it is the second in Latin America.

During their visit, the two co-founders of NBCC, Harry C. Alford and Kay DeBow will be present. Mr. Alford is characterized as the most important person in the empowerment of Afro American businesses in the United States. He uses a visionary concept of what Afro descendants should do to occupy their place in the primary economic current. Creator of a global organization that has won its place at the table of the White House and in the higher ranks of corporative America.

Ms. Courtney Reynolds, chairman of the NBCC states, “I am in Cali on behalf of several businesses of the State of Louisiana from various industries. It is important that we seize these international opportunities which represent win-win opportunities for all.”

Harry C. Alford, president, and CEO stated, “The NBCC has been working diligently for over 10 years to bring our businesses and resources to Colombia.  Our goal is to work with the Federal, State, Municipal, and Territorial interests of the public, private, and civil society. The NBCC has signed MOUs (Memorandum of Understandings) with the City of Cali, Comfandi, The University of Santiago de Cali, and the City of Quibdo. The purpose is to: to increase opportunities for Small Businesses, and industries of Cali and the Pacific Coastal areas with members and affiliates of the NBCC throughout the Diaspora to work together to reduce the barriers of trade and investment and demonstration of social responsibility; and job creation for economic empowerment”. Other North American business owners interested in connecting with Cali businesses related to bioenergy, bio-business, and construction will also be participating. They will be looking to create relationships and increase the possibilities of a commercial network between Cali business owners and NBCC.

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

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

#NNPA BlackPress

EXCLUSIVE OP-ED: President Joe Biden Commemorating Juneteenth

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — “I’ve always believed that we need to be honest about our history, especially in the face of ongoing efforts to erase it. Darkness can hide much, but it erases nothing. Only with truth can come healing, justice, and repair.”

Published

on

By

By Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
46th President of the United States: 2021—2025

The people of Galveston, Texas, have been commemorating Juneteenth since the Civil War ended. Yesterday, in honor of the 160th anniversary, I went there to join them.

You can read about the events of Juneteenth, but there’s nothing quite like going to Galveston and seeing where it all happened.

After General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, Union troops marched across the South for two months, freeing enslaved people along the way. Their final stop was Galveston, an island off the Gulf coast of Texas. There, on June 19, 1865, Union troops went to Reedy Chapel, a church founded in 1848 by enslaved people, and posted a document titled simply “General Order #3.”

“The people of Texas are informed,” it said, “that, in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”

We can only imagine the joy that spread through Galveston – and across the state and nation – on that day and those that followed.

Yesterday, there was once again joy in Galveston, with a parade, picnic, and fireworks. There was also great solemnity, because Juneteenth is a sacred day – a day of weight and power.

The Book of Psalms tells us: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation, and the promise of that joyful morning to come.

As President, I had the great honor of signing the law declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday. It was our nation’s first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was created in 1983.

Our federal holidays say a lot about who we are as a nation. We have holidays celebrating our independence… the laborers who build this nation… the servicemembers who served and died in its defense.

And now, we also have a national holiday dedicated to the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans.

Signing that law was one of my proudest acts as President.

Yet for 156 years, Juneteenth was not written about in textbooks or taught in classrooms. Still today, there are those who say it does not deserve a holiday. They don’t want to remember the moral stain of slavery and the terrible harm it did to our country.

I’ve always believed that we need to be honest about our history, especially in the face of ongoing efforts to erase it. Darkness can hide much, but it erases nothing. Only with truth can come healing, justice, and repair.

I also believe that it’s not enough to commemorate the past. We must also embrace the obligation we have to the future. As Scripture says, “Faith without works is dead.” And right now, we Americans need to keep the faith and do the work.

In honor of Juneteenth, let’s help people register to vote.

For decades, we fought to expand voting rights in America. Now we’re living in an era when relentless obstacles are being thrown in the way of people trying to vote. We can’t let those tactics defeat us. In America, the power belongs with the people. And the way we show that power is by voting.

So let’s reach out to family, friends and neighbors – especially those who have never voted before. Remind them that with voting, anything is possible. And without it, nothing is possible.

Yesterday in Galveston, we gathered in Reedy Chapel to commemorate Juneteenth, just like people have done for 160 years and counting. We prayed, sang, and read General Order #3 again. The pews were full of families. How many people must have prayed for freedom inside those walls. How many must have sent fervent thanks to God when slavery finally ended.

I remembered the words of my late friend John Lewis. He said, “Freedom is not a state. It is an act.”

Juneteenth did not mark the end of America’s work to deliver on the promise of equality. It only marked the beginning. To honor the true meaning of Juneteenth, we must continue to work toward that promise. For our freedom. For our democracy. And for America itself.

Continue Reading

#NNPA BlackPress

Cities Across the U.S. Shrink or Cancel Juneteenth Events as DEI Support Wanes

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Across the country, Juneteenth celebrations are being scaled back or eliminated as public funding dries up and corporations withdraw sponsorship.

Published

on

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Across the country, Juneteenth celebrations are being scaled back or eliminated as public funding dries up and corporations withdraw sponsorship. In many communities, the once-growing recognition of the holiday is facing sharp resistance tied to the unraveling of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

In Denver, Colorado, the annual Juneteenth Music Festival, one of the largest in the nation—was cut from two days to one. Organizers said more than a dozen corporate sponsors walked away from commitments, leaving them with a financial gap that almost canceled the event. Norman Harris, the festival’s executive director, said several companies “pulled back their investments or let us know they couldn’t or wouldn’t be in a position to support this year.” Harris credited grassroots donors and small businesses for stepping in when larger backers stepped aside.

In Colorado Springs, the local celebration was relocated to the Citadel Mall parking lot after support from previous sponsors disappeared. Organizers noted that where there were once dozens of corporate partners, only five remained. The downsized event was pieced together with limited resources, but community leaders said they refused to let the holiday go unacknowledged.

Scottsdale, Arizona, canceled its Juneteenth observance after the city council voted to dissolve its diversity, equity, and inclusion office in February. Without the office in place, the city offered no support for planning or funding, leaving residents without an official celebration.

In San Diego, the Cooper Family Foundation lost a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts that had been earmarked for Juneteenth programming. Organizers said the decision forced them to personally finance key elements of the event, including cultural exhibits, performances, and youth engagement activities.

Bend, Oregon, called off its Juneteenth event entirely. Organizers cited political tensions and safety concerns, saying they could not secure the partnerships needed to proceed. A public statement from the planning committee described the current climate as “increasingly volatile,” making it difficult to host a safe and inclusive event.

West Virginia, which has recognized Juneteenth as a paid state holiday since 2017, will not sponsor any official events this year. State leaders pointed to budget constraints and recent decisions to eliminate DEI programming across agencies as the reasons for stepping away from public observance.

Austin, Texas, has also reduced its Juneteenth programming. While the city has not canceled events outright, organizers said diminished city support and fewer private contributions forced them to focus only on core activities.

“Thankfully, there was a wide range of support that came when we made the announcement that the celebration is in jeopardy,” said Harris. “But it shows how fragile that support has become.”

Continue Reading

#NNPA BlackPress

Juneteenth and President Trump

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Juneteenth is a day for African Americans in this nation to connect to their ancestry. It honors the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. The primary focus is freedom and the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

Published

on

By April Ryan
BlackPressUSA.com Newswire Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent

President Trump is set to proclaim the federal observance of Juneteenth as the White House is open for business on this holiday. The White House says the president will sign a “historic proclamation designating Juneteenth as a National Day of Observance, marking the 160th anniversary of General Order Number 3 in Galveston, Texas.” The declaration was that “all slaves are free.” This Trump proclamation, according to the White House, “will celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation, the Republican Party’s role in passing the 13th Amendment, and reaffirm the administration’s dedication to equal justice and prosperity for all.”

This proclamation comes as President Trump has denounced Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and anything Woke. Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom from the tyranny of 250 years of slavery after the Civil War.

The Juneteenth celebration started when Union troops reached Galveston, Texas, and told the slaves that they were free on June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was created.

The Emancipation Proclamation, which is on display in the Lincoln Bedroom of the White House, was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. It established that all enslaved people in Confederate states in rebellion against the Union “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.”

Juneteenth is a day for African Americans in this nation to connect to their ancestry. It honors the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. The primary focus is freedom and the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

The Juneteenth federal holiday was signed into law by then-President Joe Biden on June 19, 2021. This Trump White House is in full swing today, with a press briefing by Karoline Leavitt, not taking the federal holiday off. Also, President Trump will receive an intelligence briefing in the morning and participate in a swearing-in ceremony for the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to receive news and updates from the Oakland Post

* indicates required

CHECK OUT THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE OAKLAND POST

ADVERTISEMENT

WORK FROM HOME

Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month. A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness. Perfect job to earn side and primary income. Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540

Facebook

Activism16 hours ago

Oakland Post: Week of June 18 – 24, 2025

#NNPA BlackPress1 day ago

EXCLUSIVE OP-ED: President Joe Biden Commemorating Juneteenth

#NNPA BlackPress2 days ago

Cities Across the U.S. Shrink or Cancel Juneteenth Events as DEI Support Wanes

#NNPA BlackPress2 days ago

Juneteenth and President Trump

Wayne Wilson, Public Affairs Campaign Manager, Caltrans
Activism2 days ago

Juneteenth: Celebrating Our History, Honoring Our Shared Spaces

Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook. Courtesy of Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook.
Activism2 days ago

OPINION: California’s Legislature Has the Wrong Prescription for the Affordability Crisis — Gov. Newsom’s Plan Hits the Mark

#NNPA BlackPress3 days ago

The Constitution and Immigration Chaos

Shutterstock
Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌3 days ago

Air Quality Board Rejects Two Rules Written to Ban Gas Water Heaters and Furnaces

#NNPA BlackPress4 days ago

OP-ED: Joy as Resistance: Reclaiming Juneteenth in a Time of Backlash

Uncategorized4 days ago

Oakland Housing and Community Development Department Awards $80.5 Million to Affordable Housing Developments

#NNPA BlackPress4 days ago

Tiguan’s AI Touchscreen & Gear Shift: VW Just Changed the Game! #2

Sly and the Family Stone play the Opera House in Bournemouth. Mojo review. Photo by Simon Fernandez.
#NNPA BlackPress4 days ago

IN MEMORIAM: Legendary Funk Pioneer Sly Stone Dies at 82

U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12). File photo.
Activism4 days ago

Congress Says Yes to Rep. Simon’s Disability Hiring and Small Biz Support Bill

Dr. Head and Zakiya Jendayi, Their 28 year old friendship was ignored by Probate Court Judge Bean who ruled in favor of Dr. Head's estranged sister's. One sister could not identify Head, in a picture shown while under oath.
Activism4 days ago

The Case Against Probate: False Ruling Invalidates Black Professor’s Estate Plan, Ignoring 28-Year Relationship

#NNPA BlackPress4 days ago

PRESS ROOM: Clyburn on 10th Anniversary of Mother Emanuel AME Church Shooting in Charleston

Trending

Copyright ©2021 Post News Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.