MIAMI – In an effort to provide renewed engagement with the greater Miami Black business community, the Greater Miami Chamber is announcing a program designed to provide Black businesses with mentoring, strategic partnerships and opportunities to do business with Chamber members. The Black Business Initiative will also help Black businesses better understand the process of doing business with the government and the military and it hopes to link businesses with the growing Black entertainment industry.
“For almost a year, the Chamber has been involved with a working committee of Black business leaders to ensure we are meeting the needs of this important business sector,” said Rosa Sugranes, chairman of the Greater Miami Chamber. “We will bring our findings to the Chamber’s Goals Conference to begin to engage our members to help the program succeed.”
The Black Business Initiative interviewed a broad cross section of local Black businesses to determine the best ways for the Greater Miami Chamber to support them. The Chamber has had a Black business committee and has supported the Black business sector with mentoring and awards programs. However, this initiative is designed to take the Chamber’s support to a new level.
“The Greater Miami Chamber is the most powerful business organization in our community,” said Basil Bernard, president of Apricot Office Supplies and Furniture. “If we can harness the energies of our membership and think creatively, I am convinced the Black Business Initiative will have a positive impact on Black business opportunities.”
The Black Business Initiative is one of five new committees the Chamber will launch at this year’s Goals Conference, to be held May
19-21 at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa.
