Governor Declares December 13th "Black Chamber of Arizona Day" as BCAZ Celebrates Record-Breaking Gala and Launches $1.5 Million Rise Together Campaign

PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2024 / Under the leadership of Dr. Velma Trayham, the Black Chamber of Arizona (BCAZ) hosted its largest and most impactful event in its 26-year history on December 13, 2024. In a momentous recognition of the Chamber's contributions, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs issued a proclamation declaring December 13th as "Black Chamber of Arizona Day" in honor of the Chamber's longstanding efforts to foster economic empowerment and support Black entrepreneurship across the state.

The masquerade-themed 26th Anniversary Pinnacle Awards Gala brought together hundreds of business leaders from Arizona and nationwide. The evening presented by JPMorgan Chase and SRP showcased Arizona's growing role as a hub for Black entrepreneurship, economic mobility, and collaborative growth.

Celebrating Corporate Leadership

BCAZ honored leading organizations for their dedication to community development and economic impact:

• Cox Communications

• Arizona State University (ASU)

• Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)

• JPMorgan Chase

Board of Directors Recognition

The BCAZ Board of Directors presented the Robin Reed Legacy Award to longtime board member and retired local government executive Marchelle Franklin. The award was given in memory of Robin Reed's impactful 8-year legacy of leadership before his passing. Additionally, Dr. Velma Trayham, New President & CEO of BCAZ, was honored with the prestigious Pinnacle Leadership Award in recognition of her transformative leadership and vision for advancing Black economic empowerment.

Wells Fargo's $100,000 Grant Announcement

A key highlight of the evening was Wells Fargo's announcement of a $100,000 grant benefiting 11 small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in Greater Phoenix. The grant aims to provide critical resources to address challenges such as access to capital and promote sustainable growth for Black-owned businesses.

Launch of the Rise Together Campaign

During the event, Dr. Sharon Smith, BCAZ Executive Board Member and Vice President of Outreach at Arizona State University, announced the launch of the Rise Together Campaign, a $1.5 million fundraising initiative. This campaign is dedicated to strengthening support for Black entrepreneurs through:

• Expanding resources and facilities for Black-owned businesses,

• Developing transformational programs that drive systemic change, and

• Reducing wealth disparities to increase 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," said Dr. Smith.

Dynamic Speakers and Special Guests

The gala featured a dynamic lineup of inspiring speakers and leaders, including:

• Angela Yee, celebrity emcee and host of Way Up with Angela Yee

• Christel Bell, welcoming emcee and ABC15 Arizona reporter

• Ron Busby, President & CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., delivering a keynote on the importance of unity and economic empowerment

• Teniqua Broughton, presenting key insights from the State of Black Arizona report

• Tempe Mayor Corey Woods and Melvin Coleman, President & CEO of the Atlanta Black Chamber

Acknowledging Sponsors and Supporters

The success of this historic evening was made possible by the generous support of sponsors and partners:

• 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 thanks to Office Depot and Inflect Digital for their support.

Looking Ahead

The 26th Anniversary Pinnacle Awards Gala not only celebrated the achievements of Arizona's Black business community but also laid the groundwork for future growth and collaboration. With initiatives like the Rise Together Campaign and partnerships spanning both public and private sectors, BCAZ remains dedicated to reducing economic disparities, empowering entrepreneurs, and driving systemic change.

For more information on the Black Chamber of Arizona and the Rise Together Campaign, visit blackchamberaz.org

Media Contact: Thinkzilla Consulting Group | Trea@thinkzillaconsulting.com | 310-728-5000

SOURCE: Thinkzilla Consulting Group