Black Chamber Launches In Summit County, Ohio, To Empower Black Businesses

Akron is the county seat of Summit County, and according to a 2017 study from the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, a lot of the county's Black community is excluded from economic opportunities.

Sep 23, 2024 - 10:00

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Black Chamber Launches In Summit County, Ohio, To Empower Black Businesses

In Ohio’s Summit County, Black business owners have formed the Black Chamber of Commerce for Summit County after realizing the county didn’t have a chamber of commerce set up for Black businesses.

Signal Akron reports the Black Chamber of Commerce was created to help bridge the racial wealth gap and to create more opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.

According to a directory maintained by the U.S. Black Chambers, the Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce will become one of 25 Black Chambers of Commerce in the Midwest and one of more than 150 in the United States.

“Everyone thinks it’s a great idea and much needed, some of our businesses are not in the loop; they’re off the radar,” Robert DeJournett, the new chamber’s CEO and president, told Signal Akron.

Black Chamber of Commerce Vice President and COO, Misty Beasley told News 5 Cleveland, “Often Black business owners are working in their business, so it’s hard to work on your business or you don’t have the information or the knowledge or the resources to work on your business, and so being able to have an organization that can help you do that and help you set yourself up for success, that’s big.”

According to data from the U.S. Census, approximately one-third of Akron’s population is Black. Akron is the county seat of Summit County. A 2017 study from the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, revealed a lot of the county’s Black community is excluded from economic opportunities.

“Left unaddressed, this lack of inclusion will severely hinder innovation and startup activity, and result in a workforce incapable of participating in the knowledge-based economy,” found the report.

As Beasley told Signal Akron, “We want to be a voice to speak out for Black-owned businesses. We’re wanting to create something where we’re helping ourselves.”

Summit County’s Black Chamber of Commerce is seeking donations from founding donors of at least $1,000 which will help accelerate the organization’s growth. In return, the group is promising exclusive recognition for its donors, which includes Founding Donor listing on the group’s website, and access to exclusive events, benefits, and discounts.