Community Convening Brings Together Elected Leaders, Advocates, and Community Voices to Discuss Policy, Leadership, and Civic Engagement — and Signals the Chamber’s Expanded Civic Advocacy Role
CHANDLER, AZ -The Black Chamber of Arizona hosted “Meet Black Women on the 2026 Arizona Ballot: A Women’s Leadership & Community Convening” on Tuesday, May 26, at the Downtown Chandler Public Library — bringing together elected officials, advocates, business leaders, and community residents for a statewide afternoon centered on public policy, leadership, and community engagement.
The convening, led by Black Chamber of Arizona, reflects the Chamber’s year-round advocacy mission: to create the rooms where Arizona’s future is shaped, and to ensure Black voices have a seat — and a platform — at every table that influences the state’s economic and civic life.
“Public policy works best when it is informed by the people it impacts. I appreciate Dr. Velma Trayham, CEO of the Arizona Black Chamber, who led the charge to bring this important Black Women’s Roundtable discussion to Chandler,” said Chandler Councilmember OD Harris, who served as host and moderator for the program. “It was an honor to serve as moderator and help facilitate a conversation centered on policy, community engagement, and leadership. Thank you to the Arizona Black Chamber for gathering regional leaders, local Chandler stakeholders, community leaders, and residents to share ideas and perspectives that help move our city and our community forward.”
Participants heard legislative updates from Senator Kiana Sears and Representative Quantá Crews, whose insights helped frame an important conversation around public policy, leadership, and community engagement. Their remarks anchored a broader dialogue on the issues shaping Arizona’s communities — from economic opportunity to civic representation.
The convening was further enriched by the participation of community and elected leaders including Corporation Commissioner Sandra Kennedy, Dr. Racquel “Rockee” Armstrong, Commissioner Joysaphine Waitman-Powell, and South Mountain Constable Mahogany Kennedy, whose presence reflected the breadth of women’s leadership across Arizona.
During the program, Dr. Velma Trayham also announced that the Black Chamber of Arizona is expanding its civic advocacy work — introducing a new framework to elevate, amplify, and stand behind leaders whose policy platforms advance economic opportunity and community impact across the state. The initiative is designed to deepen representation, strengthen advocacy infrastructure, and ensure that Arizona’s elected leadership reflects the full diversity of the communities it serves.
“Advocacy without representation is incomplete,” Dr. Trayham noted in her remarks. “The Black Chamber of Arizona exists to convene, to elevate, and to make sure the leaders shaping our state’s future have a community standing with them — and behind them.”
Following the formal program, the convening transitioned into a New Member Mixer, welcoming the Chamber’s newest members and reconnecting longstanding partners in a celebration of community, connection, and continued advocacy.
The Black Chamber of Arizona extends its sincere gratitude to every elected official who shared their voice, every partner who helped make this convening possible, and every community member who showed up to be part of the conversation. The work continues.
ABOUT THE BLACK CHAMBER OF ARIZONA
The Black Chamber of Arizona is the state’s premier 501(c)(6) advocacy and economic development chamber of commerce, serving small businesses, professionals, and the broader community. Through year-round advocacy, convenings, partnerships, and civic engagement initiatives, the Chamber works to advance economic opportunity, leadership development, and representation across Arizona.
For more information, visit blackchamberaz.org.
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