Minority Business Alliance
Applications are now open for the Minority Business Enterprise COVID Recovery Funding Opportunity
Click here for more details and shareable flyer. Applications due by September 15.
The purpose of the Chamber Minority Business Alliance (MBA) is to convene, support and promote minority businesses; leveraging local business and nonprofit partners to expand community wealth building. A Minority Business Enterprise is a business that is at least 51% owned by one or more minority individuals (African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, Native American) who are United States citizens or legal resident aliens.
Meeting time: 12:00-1:00pm on the 4th Tuesday of each month
Location: online via Zoom
Attendance policy: MBA meetings are free to attend for Chamber members and non-members. Registration is required.
Sign up here to receive meeting notices for this group.
Visit the Minority Business Alliance on Facebook.
All in-person meetings and events scheduled for March through December have been moved online.
Click here to register for upcoming events.
- January 28
- February 25
- March 31
- April 28
- June 23
- July 28
- August 25
- September is Charlottesville's Minority Business Month! Click here for 7 virtual events to celebrate.
- September 22
- October 27
- November 17
- December - No meeting
MBA Shares Insights with Nationwide Equity Roundtable
On July 21, 2020, the MBA executive committee talked to more than 60 chamber executives from across the U.S. in a meeting hosted by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Round Table.
They spoke about MBA, its mission and history, and working as a chamber affinity group. Read MBA Chair Quinton Harrell's reflections on the meeting and the role of minority business groups.
Minority Business Luncheon (formerly CBDC luncheon)
Due to ongoing concerns for the safety, health and well-being of members and the community, the Minority Business Alliance executive committee made the decision to cancel the 2020 Minority Business Luncheon. A signature MBA event, the luncheon is our opportunity to support and celebrate minority-owned businesses. We’ll miss being able to do that this year but will continue celebrating these businesses through the awarding of scholarships through our MBA Endurance Fund and other business grants providing support through the pandemic.
2019 Event
Vanguard Award: William "Will" Jones III, co-owner of His Image Barber Shop and Natural Hair Studio
Keynote: Thomas Penny III, President of Donohoe Hospitality Services
2018 Event
Vanguard Award: Hollie Lee, Chief of Workforce Development Strategies, Charlottesville Office of Economic Development
Keynote: Dr. Carla Williams, Director, UVA Athletics
2017 Event
Vanguard Award: Eugene & Lorraine Williams
Keynote: Michel Zajur, President & CEO of the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Many thanks to David Dillehunt and Charlottesville’s Own TV10 for recording our events to air on Comcast Channel 13.