National Black Chamber Of Commerce Announcements

1. Legacy Project Hotel Block: Our next Legacy Project meeting serving the Southern United States will be held May 26, 2010 in Chattanooga, TN. This session will show you how to effectively manage your chamber of commerce, get 501©3 IRS status, grow your membership, raise significant funds and many other pertinent items that can make your chapter a valuable resource to your business community. NBCC Chair Sherrie Gilchrist has secured a $129.00 room rate at the Double Tree Hotel, which is next door to the venue of the meeting – Tennessee Multicultural Chamber of Commerce. This room rate will be held until April 25, 2010 and is listed under “Tennessee Multicultural Chamber of Commerce”. The hotel reservation number is 423-756-5150 (Julia Lowy, Sales Coordinator). See you there!

2. African Union Trade & Investment Talk: The US Chamber of Commerce has extended an invitation for our members to their upcoming event with the Commissioners of the African Union. The meeting is April 22, 2010 and will be held in the Herman Lay Room at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – 1615 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20062. Registration begins at 2:00PM, and the event will run from 2:30PM to 5:00PM followed by a networking reception in honor of the commissioners. Attendance is limited and selective. To RSVP info@nationalbcc.org. Please include the event name in the subject line. RE: NBCC/USCC/Chairperson of the Africa Union.

3. USDOT Outreach: Some of you will receive invitations to various events sponsored by the US Department of Transportation. The contact person will be Adam Abdi from the OSDBU office. Mr. Abdi and his staff are genuine and sincere. We recommend that you participate in their events. The next workshop will be held in Chicago, IL at the Chicago Transit Authority, 567 West Lake St., Chicago, IL 60680 on April 22 during 11:00AM – 2:00PM. The topics will be “Access to Capital” and “How to Contract with the Government”. Participants will include HUD, DOT, GSA, Navy Great Lakes, VA, EPA, SBA, CTA and Metra. To RSVP or receive more information contact Mr. Abdi at Adam.Abdi.CTR@dot.gov.

4. Corruption is Discrimination’s First Cousin: We want to congratulate OJ Breech of the River Region Multicultural Chamber of Commerce. She filed a Title VI complaint (Civil Rights Act of 1964) against her parish (Louisiana County) for contract discrimination. While the Justice Department was investigating they came across more than discrimination. Now, the Parish President is on his way to jail for corruption and is taking a lot of people with him. Our chapter curbed discrimination and cleaned up the county in one great swoop! (Read more)

5. A Call for Questions: Our Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce has prepared questions for the Federal Highway Administration. Please read these (here). If you would like to add questions to this list please send them to Chuck at cdebow@nationalbcc.org. We will be receiving written answers to them shortly.

6. Perpetrator Alert: There is someone going around claiming that he runs the “US Black Chamber of Commerce”. We regard this as a Trademark Infringement and plan to deal with him firmly. If you witness any such activity (people playing on our name and/or concept) please report it directly to the national office. We are not humored and will deal with it without mercy.

7. Legislative Day in Illinois: The Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce along with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to attend Legislative Day, Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the Hilton Hotel, 700 E. Adams Street, Springfield, IL 62701 during 6:00PM 8:30PM. Come and meet and network with the representatives and senators of the Illinois Legislature. For more information contact Chama St. Louis at ilbcc2@gmail.com.