National Black Chamber of Commerce
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) was incorporated as The National Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc., in 1993. It is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of African American communities. Additionally it represents the views of its members regarding economic and political policy issues; domestically and internationally. It is organized as a 501(c) corporation and has at least 190 chapters within the United States. The NBCC also has international chapters in the Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana and Jamaica.[1] As with all Chambers of Commerce, affiliate branches are committed to carrying out the goals of the main Chamber within their areas.
The NBCC was founded by Harry Alford, who serves as the first President and CEO. He also is a Board member of the United States Chamber of Commerce.[2] In an interview reported in Human Events, Mr. Alford identifies with the Booker T. Washington approach to African American self empowerment and sees the approach of W.E.B. DuBois and the NAACP (whom he calls enemies of Washington) as primarily political.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Mission and strategic goals
The stated mission of the NBCC is to economically empower and sustain African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States and via interaction with the Black Diaspora.[4]
The NBCC works to fulfill its mission by implementing the following goals:
- Increase business development and economic growth within the African American community via procurement, access to capital and international trade.
- Secure sponsorship for the funding and guidance of NBCC programs.
- Educate and train members of the African American community regarding business development and their purpose to benefit society.
- Provide technical support to affiliate chapters.
[edit] Business Development
 |
This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it. |
[edit] Sponsorship
Those in this list have sponsored the NBCC and/or its events in the past, and may continue to do so.
- Altria was scheduled to sponsor the 2004 Fall Summit meeting in Negril, Jamaica.[5]
- Exxon Mobile includes the NBCC on its 2004 list of contributions and community investments.[6]
- Hewlett Packard sponsored the 2003 Annual convention in Birmingham, Alabama.[7]
- Lord Abbett and New York Life participated with the NBCC in the sponsorship of the Building Wealth Tour.[8]
[edit] Education, Training, Technical Support
|
This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it. |
[edit] Positions on Legislation
The NBCC takes positions on federal and state legislation that may affect its goals.
- In testimony submitted to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions regarding Senate Bill S.625, the NBCC stated that it opposes increased FDA regulation of tobacco. The reason for its opposition is that the regulation would impose fees affecting small tobacco retailing and distribution businesses in the U.S., many of which are owned by Black Americans.[9] The statement contained no reference to health risks associated with using tobacco products.
[edit] Organization
- Board of Directors - The Board consists of no more than 18 Directors at any given time. It develops, implements and supervises the policies of the Chamber and elects all officers.
- Officers - The Chamber officers are elected from among the Board, and consist of the Chairman of the Board, President/CEO, Secretary, Treasurer, one or more Vice Presidents and other officers as determined by the Board.
- Members - Local member and student member chapters; and individuals, businesses and organizations that prefer direct membership to the National Chamber.
[edit] References
- National Black Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved on 2007-02-19.
[edit] Citations
- ^ National Black Chamber of Commerce - About Us, Organizational Profile. Retrieved on 2007-02-19.
- ^ U. S. Chamber of Commerce - Board of Directors. Retrieved on 2007-03-13.
- ^ D'Agostino, Joseph A. (2004-08-05). Conservative Spotlight: National Black Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved on [[2007-03-14]].
- ^ National Black Chamber of Commerce - Strategic Plan. Retrieved on 2007-02-19.
- ^ eBlast September 4 2004. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ . "Exxon Mobil Corporation 2004 Worldwide Contributions and Community Investments" (PDF). Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ HP News Release. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ New York Life Insurance Company, The National Black Chamber of Commerce and Lord Abbett Kick-Off The Building Wealth Tour for African-American Small Business Owners. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ National Black Chamber Opposes New FDA Tobacco Regulations (2007-03-07). Retrieved on 2007-03-19.
