The Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce (NVBCC) celebrated a year of successes in 2022 at its annual holiday gathering on Thursday, December 1. The evening highlighted the Chamber’s impact in the community, and together members anticipated bigger and better in 2023. NVBCC achievements in 2022 included:

• In 2022, the Chamber expanded its LeadShare program, sponsored by FVC Bank. Program participation rose five-fold in 2022; the monthly program is now a hybrid event with about 15-30 members participating.
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• In May, the NVBCC held a 2022 Economic Forum. With sponsorship from SBA and media support from Fairfax Public Access, the event included regional Economic Development professionals in Northern Virginia and included an engaging community discussion on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business and encouraging steps forward.
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• In June, the NVBCC launched THRIVE e-Magazine. Thanks to the THRIVE team, Jocelyn Johnson and Tonya White, the Chamber has produced four bimonthly issues providing resources, leadership, and advocacy to encourage prosperity in the Black-owned business community.
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• In July, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed into law legislation that will expand access and lower the cost of health coverage for small businesses in Virginia.
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• In the summer, the Chamber received certification to participate in the Virginia Values Veterans Program. As a certified employer, the Chamber will utilize best practices in recruiting, hiring, and retaining highly-skilled veterans for employment.
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• Fairfax County recognized August as Black Business Month, and the Fairfax Board of Supervisors issued a certificate of proclamation to the Chamber.
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• In September, the NVBCC launched its Ambassador Program with an event at KitchenKray in Springfield. Neil McKinnon and the Ambassador Leadership Team recruited and increased participation among Chamber Ambassadors.
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• The NVBCC was awarded a grant through the American Rescue Plan Act to help provide technical assistance programming to our members.
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• The monthly Community Trivia Night continues flourishing in partnership with Caboose Commons. Community participation has risen so much that the Chamber now uses both floors of the restaurant.

• The NVBCC continued its contribution to the Virginia Minority Business Development Agency Business Center, which is part of a network of centers throughout the country fostering the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses in America. The Center is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, and operated by the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council.

These achievements and more are only possible through the contribution and active involvement of our community. Together, our community encouraged the economic flourishing of Black-owned businesses in the region. The NVBCC invites further expansion of its community membership. In 2022, the Chamber launched new membership options. Would you consider partnering with the Chamber as a member to build up the Black-owned business community in Northern Virginia? Contact the NVBCC for more information on joining, sign up for the mailing list, and looking forward with us to what is ahead in 2023.

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