While in Phoenix attending the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce’s “Leadership Summit,” rolling out caught up with Jeffrey Cleveland, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce. He was candid about the importance of the Black Chamber of Commerce and how they help entrepreneurs and small businesses do business with corporations and government entities. –al weems
What is the importance of your annual Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce’s “Leadership Summit?”
We want to continue to insure that we provide educational workshops for our small-business owners, people in professional sales and individuals who may not be entrepreneurs but are looking for opportunities to network in the business community. We also want to continue to help our business partners from both the public and private sector, whether it’s a large corporation or a government entity that does supplier-type business, and introduce them to our members that can fulfill their needs.
Describe the typical member profile of the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce.
Given the economic climate of the past few years, our member profile has slightly changed. What I mean by that is, at one point just a few years ago, we were approximately two-thirds to 75 percent small-business owners and people in professional sales e.g., CPAs, financial advisors, realtors, mortgage officers, etc. These people either owned a business and were out trying to sell their products or services. A lot of that has changed as a result of what has happened over the last two to three years in the business world. Consequently, our member profile has changed, and we now have more people who are utilizing the Chamber to meet more corporations and municipalities and state entities. Also there are more government entities and corporations that are looking to utilize the Chamber to market their corporation or their government sector.
What is the benefit of being a member of the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce?
There is the opportunity to take advantage of continuing education and economic development. A business can take advantage of what I like to call the “direct connect.” Our members have access to corporate decision-makers in person without having to call or email and without having to go through the “gatekeepers.” Members are exposed to other businesses and have a chance to network with small and large business, in addition to government entities. Finally, if a member does not meet that particular corporate decision-maker that he or she is trying to meet in person, the Chamber is one call away. Therefore, they don’t have to make numerous calls to get to who they are looking for.
