Montgomery Business Leaders Create First Ever Black Chamber Of Commerce
From Montgomery — some black business leaders are starting an organization they say advocates for creation, growth and the general welfare of the community. Alabama News Network was the first to find out about the city’s first ever Black Chamber of Commerce.
About 56 percent of Montgomery’s population is Black — it’s just one reason two area businessmen are doing their part to give back to the community. They started by creating the Black Chamber of Commerce, an effort that links business owners to the corporate world, all while making their mark on the community.
Two businesses; two business leaders working together.
Greg Calhoun, CEO of Calhoun Enterprises, and Dr. Alfred Seawright, CEO of The Medical Place, are the founding members of what will become Montgomery’s first Black Chamber of Commerce.
A new organization that hopes to teach local business owners how to make connections, all while improving the community.
“We’re just trying to do something to help the quality of Alabama continue to grow from a stand point that we include blacks at the table for decision-making purposes and to show the value that black businesses do for the state of Alabama,” Said Calhoun.
One of their goals is to showcase top Black leaders in the state.
“Work, build bridges. And that’s what the chamber. The black chamber is going to be about. Crossing the line trying to make sure that people are educated and make sure that they have jobs,” Said Seawright.
The chamber wants to educate the community, especially kids. The group started by partnering with the non-profit organiation first book, donating everything in this room. $500,000 that will go to school children across Alabama — a gesture that’s appreciated by the school district and teachers.
“You want them to see a variety of different role models and sometimes we go to Wal-mart or we go to foot action and we buy shoes and things, but you can’t connect with that actual owner. And you can’t see that the owner may be a person like yourself,” Said Christie Reese, an E.D. Nixon Elementary School.
One thing Calhoun and Seawright did emphsise is the black chamber is not going to be in competition with the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce. They say they hope to work together with them to bring more diversity to companies in Montgomery.
Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Mobile also have a Black Chamber of Commerce. If you want to find out how to join the organization before its first meeting in January, e-mail Greg Calhoun at gcalhoun@me.com.
