(BPRW) Only a few months into his new role as president and CEO of the Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce, William “Bill” Diggs has bright ideas and big plans for the oldest historically black chamber of commerce in the state of Florida.
Among several other goals, Diggs has a list of feats he wants to accomplish; monumental fundraising goals that he has set for himself, and advancements he wants to reach for black businesses in the south Florida market; but that is just the beginning.
Bill Diggs is determined to create a new foundation for the Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce that will last far long after he is gone.
“In taking on the job as president of the Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce, I have agreed to do my best to help minority entrepreneurs and businesses in this area,” says Diggs. “By doing that, I want to increase awareness of black – owned businesses, the number of consumers using our services, plus I also want the chamber to serve as a support system for new and old businesses.”
The Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce’s membership roster lists more than 400 members, with boundaries stretching from County Line Road to Florida City. But like everything else, his ideas reach further than Miami-Dade County’s boundaries; he plans to someday form an auxiliary that will allow black businesses in south Broward to join the chamber as well. However, before Diggs begins to solicit support for black businesses in south Florida, he wants to usher in a new era for the chamber, and that includes a whole new look and direction for the Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce.
“I want to eliminate the stigma that is attached with black businesses as being unprofessional and that begins with the chamber,” says Diggs. “To start things off on the right foot, we are creating an entirely new marketing and branding campaign that will let people know that we are a force to be reckoned with.”
The newly appointed president also wants to help black businesses in south Florida by overcoming hurdles that often destroy minority-owned businesses during their first few years in existence. Under-capitalization, corporate dominance and lack of marketing are just some of the few hurdles he is up against. He plans to tackle them with a strong support system, educational efforts and networking opportunities for chamber members.
“In the next couple of months I will institute three new initiatives that will allow the chamber to flourish in its ability to help its members,” says Diggs. “The Youth Entrepreneur Program, the Women’s Business Council and the Quarterly Business Review are all new programs that will allow Miami Dade’s minority businesses to provide services to our youth, women and to each other.”
Of these three initiatives, Diggs takes great pride in The Quarterly Business Review. It is a state of black business report for the south Florida market that will serve as a gauge to determine how well large corporations are working with Miami’s black businesses. Under Diggs’ vision, local economists will provide quarterly reports and solutions that will hopefully lead to increased business opportunities for chamber members.
“Black businesses aren’t receiving the same business opportunities as their counterparts,” he says. He has hopes that the Business Review will assist in addressing disparities facing the minority business community. But it doesn’t end there because Diggs plans to follow up with large corporations and black businesses to ensure that relationships are not only forged, but that they are productive. Once these renovations are in place, Diggs wants to tap into the hip-hop generation that is flocking to Miami’s beaches. “I see vast opportunities for these consumers to do business with some of south Florida’s black businesses, instead of the traditional large corporations, especially with Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend and Carnival, events that attract a large number of African Americans to south Florida,” he says.
With his experience ranging from co-founding the nonprofit organization 100 Black Men of South Florida and managing sales organizations, Bill Diggs describes himself as having been placed here to finally bring together both of his apparent skill sets, social service and business acumen. These are the skills that will enable Diggs to create a powerhouse advocacy group for African American businesses in the south Florida market.
For more information about the Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce and how you can get involved, visit their website at www.m-dcc.org.
The Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1974 by a group of Black businessmen out of a need for a strong organization that could objectively advocate the needs of a growing Black business community. The Chamber is working to provide a world of business opportunities to bring the African American business community together to exchange goods and services and to promote interaction and communication to all businesses involved.
