Commending the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce.

Commending the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 11, 2026
WHEREAS, the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce was founded in 2020 to strengthen, support, and advance Black-owned businesses in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce subsequently established the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation to expand the organization's charitable and educational initiatives, providing structured programming, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurial development throughout the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, since that time, the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation have supported more than 2,636 small businesses across the Commonwealth through business development programming, capital access initiatives, strategic partnerships, and statewide advocacy efforts; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce has graduated seven cohorts of its signature 10-week Business Accelerator Program, equipping entrepreneurs with tools for financial readiness, government contracting preparation, operational growth, and long-term scalability; and
WHEREAS, graduates of the Business Accelerator Program have collectively accessed more than $601,000 in capital, strengthening economic mobility and business sustainability across multiple regions of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce has launched and maintained the Virginia Black Business Directory through digital, print, and mobile platforms to increase visibility and market access for Black-owned enterprises; and
WHEREAS, in 2026, the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce will host the Sixth Annual Virginia Black Expo, a statewide economic development platform convening entrepreneurs, corporate partners, policymakers, and consumers from across the Commonwealth and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area to promote commerce, collaboration, and community investment; and
WHEREAS, through conferences, webinars, networking events, mentorship, and economic initiatives, the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce continues to foster inclusive economic growth and strengthen the business ecosystem; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce for its dedication to advancing entrepreneurship, promoting economic opportunity, and serving as a catalyst for business growth; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for its contributions to Black-owned business across the Commonwealth.