Ahead of an in-progress comprehensive plan slated for completion later this year, Austin’s Diversity and Ethnic Chamber Alliance (DECA) has secured a commitment from two local banks to loan $1 million to member small businesses. The loans, which will be issued by Business & Community Lenders and Wells Fargo, are tied in part to the […]
Greater Austin Black Chamber
Created in 1982, the Greater Austin Black Chamber was established “to bring awareness to the enormous amount of dollars generated from black consumers in the form of travel and tourism within the goal of providing economic prosperity for African-American businesses and the general Greater Austin region,” according to its website. Today, it promotes the development and expansion of African American businesses in the city.
Posted inAustin
Minority chambers begin work on collective economic equity plan
The four minority chambers of commerce that have for years worked loosely together are moving forward with creating a five-year plan for how to ensure growth in Austin doesn’t bypass minority-owned small businesses. The Austin LGBT Chamber, Greater Austin Asian Chamber, Greater Austin Black Chamber, and Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – which previously worked […]
Posted inCity Hall
Council to consider equitable funding levels for minority chambers of commerce
The city appears to have struck a bargain with four niche chambers of commerce to more equitably distribute each of their annual funding allocations from the city budget. Discussions have been ongoing for years about how to “normalize” the city’s funding for the Austin LGBT Chamber, Greater Austin Asian Chamber, Greater Austin Black Chamber, and […]
Posted inBudget
Report gives Council options for equity in funding for chambers of commerce
An analysis of city funding of four minority-based chambers of commerce has offered recommendations for City Council and staff on how to adjust those annual contributions in the coming years to make them more equitable. A report released last week by Economic Development Department Director Veronica Briseño includes the full study and findings from the […]
Posted inAustin
Black business owners in Austin area outperform state
Despite Austin being the country’s only large, fast-growing city with a waning African-American population, businesses owned by black residents in the greater area appear to be outperforming those in the rest of the state. According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics that Greater Austin Black Chamber board member Hopeton Hay presented in July, Travis County topped […]