The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) is proud to announce the resounding success of its groundbreaking National Conference, presented by American Airlines, held at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria in Washington, DC, from July 17-19, 2024. This monumental event attracted hundreds of attendees and featured a stellar lineup of illustrious dignitaries and visionary thought leaders who inspired and empowered participants with their groundbreaking insights.
The conference boasted an extraordinary roster of speakers, including political powerhouse Stacey Abrams, NBA Legend & Former Mayor Kevin Johnson, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Congressman Glenn Ivey, influential pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant, Planned Parenthood CEO Alexis McGill Johnson, CURLS founder Maisha Dellinger, MBDA Acting Undersecretary Eric Morrisette, Department of Energy OSDBU Director Ron Pierce, and civil rights advocate Harry Johnson, among many others. These prominent figures captivated the audience, sharing their expertise and bold visions for a prosperous future.
One of the conference’s most significant milestones was the signing of a Strategic Memorandum of Understanding between the USBC and the Native American Contractors Association. This historic partnership represents a powerful commitment to fostering economic growth and development for minority-owned businesses, reinforcing the strength of collective action and collaboration.
In a powerful moment of recognition, Rev. Al Sharpton was honored with the 2024 USBC Advocate of the Year award, celebrating his unwavering dedication to championing civil rights and advancing economic equity. His passionate advocacy continues to pave the way for meaningful change and progress.
Throughout the conference, attendees were immersed in thought-provoking discussions on cutting-edge topics, including AI in Healthcare, Digital Solutions for Business Owners, Mergers & Acquisitions as a Business Strategy, Closing the Black Wealth Gap, Leveraging NIL as a Business, Democracy and DE&I, the Importance of Black Men Voting in the Upcoming Election, Combating the Attack on DE&I, Contracting Opportunities with the Department of Energy, and How to Do Business with Amazon, among others.
USBC President & CEO Ron Busby Sr. expressed his excitement about the event’s achievements, stating, “This year’s conference was a testament to the indomitable spirit and resilience of Black businesses and entrepreneurs. The invaluable insights shared by our distinguished speakers and the strategic partnerships formed here will undoubtedly propel us toward greater economic empowerment and lasting change.”
The 2024 USBC National Conference once again demonstrated the unparalleled power of unity and collaboration in driving transformative change and fostering a thriving Black business community.
The 2024 USBC National Conference’s success was made possible by the generous support and unwavering partnership of our esteemed corporate partners, including American Airlines, Google, AT&T, Wells Fargo, Amazon, Walmart Business, JPMorgan Chase, Intuit, Anheuser Busch, Sysco, Meta, Reynolds, Penn Entertainment, Blackrock, Verizon, Block, Charter, and Williams.
About U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.
The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) provides committed, visionary leadership, and advocacy in the realization of economic empowerment. Through the creation of resources and initiatives, we support a network of African American Chambers of Commerce and business organizations in their work of developing and growing Black enterprises. Learn more at usblackchambers.org.
