Black Chamber of Arizona’s 26th Awards Gala Shatters Records with Unprecedented Attendance & Impact

The Black Chamber of Arizona (BCAZ), led by Dr. Velma Trayham, celebrated a significant milestone on December 13, 2024, at their 26th Anniversary Pinnacle Awards Gala. This masquerade-themed event attracted over 500 business leaders from Arizona and beyond, showcasing the state as an emerging hub for Black entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

BCAZ honored several organizations for their contributions to community development, recognizing:

• Cox Communications
• Arizona State University (ASU)
• Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)
• JPMorgan Chase

A key moment of the evening was Wells Fargo’s announcement of a substantial $100,000 grant aimed at supporting 11 small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in Greater Phoenix. This funding is intended to enhance access to capital and facilitate sustainable growth.

In a further commitment to fostering economic equity, Dr. Sharon Smith introduced the Rise Together Campaign, a $1.5 million initiative designed to support Black entrepreneurs. This campaign will focus on:

• Expanding resources and facilities for Black-owned businesses
• Developing programs to drive systemic change
• Reducing wealth disparities to enhance economic mobility

“The Rise Together Campaign is our commitment to breaking down barriers, empowering entrepreneurs, and fostering long-term economic growth in Arizona’s Black community,” explained Dr. Smith.

The gala also featured a lineup of dynamic speakers, including:

• Angela Yee, celebrity emcee of Way Up with Angela Yee
• Christel Bell, ABC15 Arizona reporter
• Ron Busby, President & CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.
• Teniqua Broughton, who presented critical data on the State of Black Arizona
• Tempe Mayor Corey Woods
• Melvin Coleman, President & CEO of the Atlanta Black Chamber

Such a successful event relied on the generosity of sponsors and partners, including:

• Presenting Sponsors: JPMorgan Chase, SRP
• Gold Sponsors: Stingley Management – McDonald’s, Thinkzilla Consulting LLC
• Silver Sponsors: Edward Jones, National Bank of Arizona, State of Black Arizona
• Bronze Sponsors: Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Lottery, Blaylock Van LLC, Desert Botanical Garden, Fry’s Food Stores, Growth Partners AZ, University of Phoenix
• Media Partners: ABC 15 Arizona, Arizona Informant

Special recognition was given to Office Depot as the print sponsor and Inflect Digital.

This gala not only celebrated the achievements of Arizona’s Black business community but also laid the groundwork for future initiatives. Through ongoing programs like the Rise Together Campaign, BCAZ aims to diminish economic disparities and empower Black entrepreneurs, driving systemic change for years to come.

For further details, visit BlackChamberAZ.com.