Edward Henderson | California Black Media
The California African American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC) is the largest statewide African American business association.
Its mission is to drive economic opportunity and wealth creation for African American businesses and connect and harness the collective strength of their statewide network of member organizations to advocate and protect common interests.
California Black Media (CBM) spoke with CAACC Chairman Patricia Watts on this year’s successes, disappointments and plans heading into 2025
Looking back at 2024, what stands out as your most important achievement and why?
The CAACC proudly played a pivotal role in the State of California African American Economy Summit, one of our signature events for 2024. This summit is designed to strengthen Black economic influence through education and fellowship, bringing together the state’s most influential Black business leaders, policymakers, and economic thinkers. Our discussions covered critical economic topics relevant to California’s African American business community, including policy, government contracts, and equity.
Through our educational and advocacy programs, we aim to promote equitable public policies that expand access and broaden the landscape of economic opportunities for the African American community. By leveraging these powerful networks, CAACC is committed to bolstering Black business success and strengthening our communities.
How did your leadership and investments contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians?
Our leadership and investments have been centered on empowering African American Californians by providing consistent support, resources, and connections that address their economic needs. Through our ongoing programs, we deliver relevant information on critical economic issues and policies, as well as technical assistance that helps businesses navigate the complexities of today’s marketplace.
We also partner with our corporate members and sponsors to design customized programming that aligns with their needs while promoting economic growth within the African American community. By fostering these collaborations, we ensure that our network of African American businesses has access to valuable opportunities and resources, creating pathways to success.
What frustrated you the most over the last year?
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing our ambitious goals with the need to deliver consistent, relevant programming. We have big ideas and turning them into reality requires diligent effort and coordination among various stakeholders.
Additionally, fostering and maintaining strong relationships with business organizations, as well as state and local municipalities, is an ongoing task that requires significant time and resources. Our focus has always been supporting Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and small businesses and ensuring that our programs meet their evolving needs while expanding our reach.
Despite these frustrations, we remain committed to our mission and are constantly learning and adapting to improve the support we provide to our community.
What inspired you the most over the last year?
Over the past year, one of the most inspiring developments has been the formation of a tri-ethnic partnership between the CAAAC, the Cal Asian Chamber, and the Cal Hispanic Chamber. This collaboration represents a united effort to drive positive change and growth for diverse businesses across our communities.
A key highlight of this partnership has been the Annual California Diversity Awards, where we come together to recognize and celebrate individuals and corporations that actively support and champion the growth of diverse enterprises. It’s a powerful reminder of the collective strength and resilience within our communities.
Moreover, our partnership extends to advocacy, where we have come together to sponsor legislative bills, including AB 2019. These initiatives reflect our shared commitment to creating equitable opportunities and promoting economic empowerment for minority business enterprises throughout California. Seeing these efforts come to life has been a truly inspiring and rewarding experience.
What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?
One key lesson we learned in 2024 is the importance of aligning our efforts with the specific strategic initiatives of our corporate members when it comes to supporting the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) community. Each of our partners has unique goals, and by tailoring our programs to meet these needs, we can more effectively drive mutual success.
Our ultimate goal is to help MBEs become contract-ready through targeted training and professional development. This approach not only ensures that MBEs are prepared to take advantage of opportunities but also aligns with the broader objectives of our corporate partners. We’ve seen that our ethnic business communities are eager for opportunities in wealth creation, access to informed legislative policies, and other critical areas that impact their growth. This lesson will guide us in continuing to develop customized, impactful programs that bridge the gap between MBEs and sustainable business success in the coming year.
In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?
Stability.
What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025?
Our primary goal for 2025 is to drive growth in the number of new African American businesses, increase the volume of contracts awarded to these enterprises, and strengthen connections with the State of California. By expanding our network and fostering strategic partnerships, we aim to create more opportunities for African American businesses to thrive and secure sustainable growth.