Congressman Greg Stanton presents U.S. House Certificate of Commendation as business, government and community leaders gather to celebrate the Chamber’s expanding economic impact
PHOENIX, Ariz. — October 2026 — The Black Chamber of Arizona recently celebrated a major milestone with its official ribbon cutting, bringing together business executives, elected officials, economic development leaders, Chamber members and community partners from across Arizona and around the country.
The celebration, presented by Salt River Project (SRP), marked more than the opening of a new chapter for the 28-year-old organization. It served as a launch point for the Chamber’s growing statewide focus on business expansion, workforce development, capital access, contracting opportunities and job creation.
A highlight of the celebration came when Congressman Greg Stanton presented the Black Chamber of Arizona, President & CEO Dr. Velma Trayham, and the Chamber’s Board of Directors with a United States House of Representatives Certificate of Commendation, recognizing the organization’s commitment to advancing economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, workforce development and generational prosperity.
The Chamber was also joined by prominent Arizona leaders, including Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, Danny Seiden, President & CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, representatives from the City of Phoenix, and Alan “AP” Powell, Founder of the HeroZona Foundation, whose partnership and vision have been instrumental in advancing the collaborative work surrounding the new facility and its programming.
“Cutting the ribbon was an important milestone, but it was never the finish line,” said Dr. Velma Trayham, President & CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona. “The real work is what happens next. We are focused on bringing corporations, government, workforce organizations, educational institutions and community partners together around measurable outcomes that create jobs, strengthen businesses and expand economic opportunity across Arizona.”
100,000 Jobs by 2035
As part of its next phase, the Black Chamber of Arizona has established an ambitious goal to help produce 100,000 new jobs by 2035.
The strategy will focus on two interconnected economic pathways:
Talent → Training → Jobs
Connecting individuals to industry-aligned training, workforce pathways and employers.
Business → Contracts + Capital → Scale → Hire
Helping entrepreneurs and small businesses gain access to contracts, capital and growth opportunities that allow them to become stronger employer firms and create jobs.
Plans are also underway for an Arizona 100K Jobs Impact Dashboard, which would provide a transparent framework for tracking outcomes such as jobs created, job placements, people trained, employer-firm growth, contracting activity, capital deployed and corporate participation.
“We cannot accomplish a goal of this magnitude alone,” Trayham added. “It will take partners across sectors working together — not simply around programs, but around measurable economic outcomes. We want to know how many businesses grew, how many people were hired, how much capital moved, how many contracts were secured and how those opportunities ultimately translated into jobs.”
From Ribbon Cutting to Economic Action
The ribbon cutting also builds momentum toward the Black Chamber of Arizona’s 28th Anniversary Golden Hour: From Access to Ownership, taking place December 19, 2026, at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass.
The Chamber’s largest annual fundraiser and convening will bring together business, capital, procurement, workforce and community leaders for a full day of programming culminating in the Chamber’s annual gala and Pinnacle Awards.
Daytime programming will include capital access, business growth, entrepreneurship, procurement opportunities, youth entrepreneurship and pathways to ownership — creating another platform for corporations and community partners to translate commitments into action.
The Chamber anticipates using the months following the ribbon cutting to engage Founding Impact Partners around hiring, procurement, workforce development, capital, supplier growth and job creation.
About the Black Chamber of Arizona
For 28 years, the Black Chamber of Arizona has worked to strengthen businesses, build bridges and create pathways to economic opportunity. Through entrepreneurship programs, technical assistance, corporate partnerships, procurement opportunities, workforce initiatives and advocacy, the Chamber supports business growth and economic mobility throughout Arizona.
The Black Chamber of Arizona serves businesses and communities statewide and works collaboratively across the public, private and nonprofit sectors to expand access to opportunity.
Learn more: www.blackchamberaz.org
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