Black Chamber of Arizona Launches Black History Month Business Series

PHOENIX, Ariz., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Black Chamber of Arizona announced today the launch of Black History in Business: Fireside Chats Across Arizona, a four-part, in-person Black History Month business series held every Thursday in February from 7-9 p.m. The weekly events will spotlight Black-owned businesses and employer firms, highlighting their role in job creation, economic growth and community legacy across the state.

‘Legacy in Motion’ Carries the Dream Forward – A Sculpture by George Gadson Studios

PANAMA CITY, Fla., Jan. 28, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — George Gadson Studios proudly announces the unveiling of Legacy in Motion, a sculpture created for the newly rebuilt Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center in Panama City, Florida. Unveiled in conjunction with the Center’s grand opening on January 16, 2026, the artwork stands tall at 17 ft as a genuine reflection of history, resilience, and intentional progress within the Glenwood Community.

Top Keynote Speaker Dr. Velma Trayham to Headline 20th Annual Arizona National Nonpartisan Brunch at Congressional Black Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 24, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Acclaimed economic strategist, entrepreneur, and business speaker Dr. Velma Trayham (who is also President and CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona) will be a featured speaker at the 20th Annual Arizona National Nonpartisan Brunch, hosted by the HeroZona Foundation. The exclusive event will take place during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference.

Capital City Founder Arsha Jones Launches $5,000 Micro-Grant to Support Local Consumer Product Entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 22, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Arsha Jones, founder and CEO of Capital City, announced today the launch of the Capital City Micro-Grant, a $5,000 grant aimed at helping local, retail-ready entrepreneurs scale their consumer product businesses. The grant will be awarded during the Shop Made Makers Summit, a multi-day entrepreneurship experience taking place August 19-21 in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Velma Trayham Joins Nation’s Top Business Leaders at A.G. Gaston Conference to Chart a New Path for Economic Empowerment

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 20, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Renowned business strategist, corporate advisor, and economic empowerment advocate Dr. Velma Trayham, CEO, Black Chamber of Arizona, will take the stage at the A.G. Gaston Conference, joining an elite lineup of business leaders, innovators, and policymakers dedicated to fostering economic growth and sustainable success for minority entrepreneurs.

Millionaire Mastermind Academy Expands National Impact, Empowering Over 8,000 Minority Women Entrepreneurs

ATLANTA, Ga., Feb. 10, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Millionaire Mastermind Academy (MMA), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization, has released its 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report, underscoring its proprietary entrepreneur curriculum and the power of strategic national partnerships in creating pathways to financial independence for minority women entrepreneurs. MMA has supported over 8,000 entrepreneurs, empowering them with the education, mentorship, and resources needed to build and scale successful businesses.

The Black Chamber of Arizona Announces Recipients of SEDI Business Supportive Grant

PHOENIX, Ariz., Jan. 8, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Black Chamber of Arizona is proud to announce the recipients of its Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI) Business Supportive Grant designed to help address the challenges SEDI-owned businesses face. The recipients were officially recognized and spotlighted at the Black Chamber of Arizona’s 26th Anniversary Gala on December 13, where over 500 community leaders, national figures, and stakeholders gathered to celebrate economic impact and strides made to close the racial wealth gap.

BofA Strengthens Support for Arizona Entrepreneurs through State’s Largest Supplier Diversity Program Impact AZ

PHOENIX, Ariz., Nov. 19, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Bank of America has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering economic growth in Arizona’s small business community by renewing its IMPACT AZ 2025 partnership with a $40,000 grant, bolstering the impact of the state’s largest supplier diversity program. This significant investment has empowered participating businesses to secure $4.1 million in SBA funding, helping to build generational wealth and drive job creation across the state, stated Millionaire Mastermind Academy Inc.

Black Chamber of Arizona Celebrates 26th Anniversary Gala with Ron Busby as Keynote Speaker

PHOENIX, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Black Chamber of Arizona (BCAZ) proudly announces Ron Busby, President & CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., as the keynote speaker for its 26th Annual Pinnacle Awards Gala, to be held on December 13, 2024, at the SRP PERA Pavilion in Tempe, AZ. Presented by SRP and JP Morgan Chase, the gala will be a night of celebration, networking, and recognition of influential partners whose contributions have played a pivotal role in advancing BCAZ’s mission to support Black-owned businesses and underserved entrepreneurs across Arizona.

JPMorgan Chase Awards $25,000 Grant to Black Chamber of Arizona to Boost Entrepreneurial Growth and Economic Empowerment

PHOENIX, Ariz., Oct. 4, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Black Chamber of Arizona (BCAZ) is excited to announce that it has received a $25,000 seed funding grant from JPMorganChase. This generous contribution will fuel the Chamber’s mission to strengthen Black businesses and produce new economic buying power throughout Arizona. The funds will support key programs aimed at empowering Black entrepreneurs, providing pathways to financial growth, and fostering greater economic inclusion.

Black Chamber of Arizona Celebrates National Black Business Month

PHOENIX, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ — Black Chamber of Arizona (BCAZ) Celebrates National Black Business Month with a Certification Day and Business Summit presented by Amazon and ASU, Aug. 21 and 28, 2024, at Memorial Union, ASU (Aug. 21) & Lush Café, Tempe (Aug. 28).

Mother-Daughter Team Wins Prestigious Lynn McIntosh Award at the 35th Annual Oklahoma Book Awards

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. /ScoopCloud/ — In an inspiring celebration of creativity and dedication, author Gwendolyn Mukes and illustrator Alex Wallace, a dynamic mother-daughter duo, have been honored with the Lynn McIntosh Award for Excellence at the 35th Annual Oklahoma Book Awards, WF Publications announced today. This significant achievement highlights their exceptional contribution to children’s literature and the impact of their recent work on the book “Gwen Didn’t Care” (ISBN: 979-8985784428).

The Black Chamber of Arizona Advances Economic Growth with Second Cohort, Empowering 30 Entrepreneurs through Supplier diversity readiness program

PHOENIX, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ — The Black Chamber of Arizona is proud to announce the induction of 30 diverse small business owners into ImpactAZ 2025, a multi-Year program focused on contracting readiness. The program works directly with corporations to create more access and equity in purchasing and procurement. The 2nd cohort kicked off on April 24th awarding a total of $75,000 in scholarships, underscoring the commitment to fostering economic growth across the state of Arizona.

The Black Chamber of Arizona Elevates Black Business Landscape with ImpactAZ Supplier Diversity Class of 2024

PHOENIX, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ — Building on its commitment to supporting small business owners, the Black Chamber of Arizona, in partnership with the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, is proud to announce the induction of 30 entrepreneurs into the 2024 class of its ImpactAZ Supplier Diversity Readiness Business Accelerator Program. This multi-year initiative, a cornerstone of Arizona’s efforts to enhance supplier diversity, continues to offer critical resources to justice-impacted entrepreneurs, veterans, and women-owned businesses aiming for economic success and growth.

ImpactAZ 2025 documents economic strides of statewide supplier-diversity accelerator

PHOENIX, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ — Thinkzilla Consulting Group today announced that ImpactAZ 2025, a statewide supplier-diversity accelerator serving black and other minority business owners, has announced the results from its inaugural cohort. Thirty-five participants selected for the accelerator completed the program, with 75% attending all technical assistance programming.

Black-Owned Consulting Firm Thinkzilla Celebrates 11 Years of Advancing Racial Equity and Economic Opportunity

PHOENIX, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ — For the past 11 years, CEO Dr. Velma Trayham and her team at Thinkzilla Consulting have been addressing inequality by building and managing programs with the support of public and private partnerships, advancing economic opportunities across diverse and underserved U.S. communities. In addition to the many holidays this month, Dr. Trayham and Thinkzilla, one of the fastest-growing consulting firms in the country, have a lot to celebrate.

FormFree appoints Solvent CEO DIVINE as head of culture

ATHENS, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ — FormFree® today announced the appointment of former hip-hop/rap recording artist-turned-techpreneur Victor D. Lombard, professionally known as DIVINE, as head of culture. DIVINE is the CEO and founder of Solvent, a fintech focused on financial empowerment for marginalized groups.

Millionaire Mastermind Academy Awards $30,000 In Grants To Black Small Business Owners In Arizona

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ — The Millionaire Mastermind Academy, a national nonprofit organization addressing the barriers to economic mobility for systemically underserved minority entrepreneurs, proudly announced that it will award $30,000 in grants to local Black-owned small businesses through Elevate Together® powered by Round It Up America® to accelerate their growth and prosperity.

Leading Nonprofit, Millionaire Mastermind Academy, to Host Diversity in Finance Economic Empowerment Fireside Chat, July 17

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ — On July 17, 2023, the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, a leading nonprofit organization addressing the barriers to opportunity for underrepresented businesses, will host an economic empowerment “Diversity in Finance” Fireside Chat. The virtual event is part of an ongoing program and is sponsored by Blaylock Van, LLC, the nation’s longest-continuously operating Black-owned investment firm.

Hi Texture Salon Set to Host 3rd Annual Teen Texture Camp

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ — Award-winning hair salon, Hi Texture Salon, is gearing up to host the third Annual Teen Texture Camp. This year’s event is scheduled for July 17, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Participants will learn basic hair regimens and go-to hairstyles to take them through the school year.

Leonard Jones Joins Blaylock Van, Wall Street’s Oldest Continually Operating Black-Owned Firm, as Executive Director of Municipal Banking, Public Finance

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ — Industry veteran Leonard Jones has been named Executive Director of Municipal Banking and Head of Public Finance for Blaylock Van, LLC, the nation’s longest-continuously operating Black-owned investment firm. In this role, he will lead the firm’s banking team and solutions for local and municipal government organizations with a focus on financial and risk management.

IMPACT AZ 2025 Announces JPMorgan Chase as Title Sponsor and Program Details for Supplier Diversity Readiness Initiative

PHOENIX, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ — Millionaire Mastermind Academy announced today that IMPACT AZ 2025, a nine-month supplier diversity readiness program designed to close the racial wealth gap for black and minority business owners, is proud to announce JPMorgan Chase as its title sponsor. Since 2015, JPMorgan Chase has spent $11 billion with diverse suppliers. In 2020 alone, the diverse supplier spend was over $2 billion.

Blaylock Van, LLC Shares its 2022 Year-End Report

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ — In its year-end report spanning financials, deals, and community investment, Blaylock Van, LLC, the nation’s longest continuously operating Black-owned investment banking firm, reported 23 percent growth in notional deal volume year-over-year, with 67 debt capital markets new issues representing nearly $186 billion notional. From 2018 to 2022, Blaylock Van’s closed transactions increased by a CAGR of 23 percent and dealt notional value by 50%.

IMPACT AZ 2025 Keys in on Supplier Diversity Readiness to Close Racial Wealth Gap for Black-owned Businesses

PHOENIX, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ — Designed to make an impact for Black-owned businesses in the new year and beyond, IMPACT AZ 2025 focuses on supplier diversity readiness to close the racial wealth gap for diverse business owners. The Millionaire Mastermind Academy program is accepting applications from serious entrepreneurs interested in a solutions-driven accelerator program, Thinkzilla Consulting Group announced today.