Kathryn Barger, GLAAACC President Angela Gibson-Shaw. (Karim Saafir Photography)
The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) held their 31st Annual Economic Awards Dinner at the JW Marriot LA Live, a premier business networking event in the greater Los Angeles area.
The prestigious and elegant awards gala is a platform to honor and acknowledge individuals and corporations that champion economic growth while advocating for the advancement of small businesses and entrepreneurs across Los Angeles.
This year’s celebration also stood as a moment of unity and support for business and individuals affected by the January wildfire in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena communities.
As the community continues rebuilding efforts, GLAAACC Chairman Gene Hale announced a new partnership with the Association of General Contractors, outlining plans to create pathways for the underserved, local, and diverse subcontractors to participate in wildfire recovery efforts. This collaboration will also open doors to infrastructure projects and upcoming global sports events, stimulating the city’s economic base and generating well-paying jobs.
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Additionally, Amazon presented GLAAACC with a $150,000 donation to assist small businesses impacted by the recent wildfires. The project entitled the GLAAACC Phoenix Fund, was created to provide grants to the Eaton and Pacific Palisades small business community.
“The partnership with the Association of General Contractors is one of the many strategic collaborations GLAAACC has led in recent years,” said Hale.
AGC, Breanna Weaver of PCL Construction, Erin Volk of AGC, GLAAACC President
Angela Gibson-Shaw. (Karim Saafir Photography)
“For over three decades, GLAAACC has been at the forefront of building partnerships that drive meaningful progress in the African American business community. I’m honored to spend an evening recognizing the role our partners and corporate allies have played in fostering Black leadership and entrepreneurship.”
Throughout the evening, more than 20 awards were presented across a range of categories, including Banking and Financial Corporation of the Year, Transportation Minority Business Advocate, Public Works Contractor of the Year, Purchasing Executive of the Year, Commercial Construction Company of the Year, Utility Company of the Year.
The evening’s keynote speaker was Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, chairperson of the Board of Supervisors and representing the 5th District which spans 2,785 square miles, including 20 cities and 83 unincorporated communities. Barger emphasized her commitment to supporting small businesses and leading wildfire recovery efforts.
“Whether it’s 100 days out, 300 days out, or 600 days, I’m going to treat the recovery effort with the same urgency I promised just days after the fire,” said Barger. “Many small businesses are starting over. I applaud Gene Hale and GLAAACC for their leadership. The only way we move forward is together.”
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his congratulations to GLAAACC’s honorees via video message.
“Because of business owners like you, California is the world’s fourth-largest economy. We’re not just keeping pace with the world—we’re setting the pace,” said Newsom. “Our economy is thriving, and we celebrate your success.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined the celebration with a recorded greeting. She commended GLAAACC for its continued efforts to uplift small minority-owned businesses and shared updates on her administration’s initiatives to support communities impacted by the wildfires.
Montanez of City National Bank, GLAAACC President Angela Gibson-Shaw. (Karim Saafir Photography)
Key efforts include record-setting response times for building permits, hazardous material clearance, debris removal, and utility restoration.
GLAAACC’s Member of the Year award went to Celeste Alleyne, Director of Executive Engagements and External Talent for Microsoft’s global corporate events. Alleyne reflected on the chamber’s impact on her personal and professional journey, thanking GLAAACC for their guidance when she moved to Los Angeles 28 years ago.
“I learned the meaning of true mentorship—one that draws its strength not from books, but from the heart,” she said.
Fredy Salguero, Vice President and Southern California External Affairs Manager at Comerica, accepted the Banking and Financial Corporation of the Year Award on behalf of the corporation.
“Comerica is dedicated to building strong communities, forging meaningful partnerships, and being more than just a bank—we strive to be a trusted community partner,” said Salguero.
A leading global construction and development firm, Skanska was honored as Public Works Contractor of the Year. Notably, the company piloted electric compaction rollers on the Metro D Line (Purple Line) and tested an electric Volvo excavator on other local projects.
American Honda was recognized as GLAAACC’s Corporation of the Year. Assistant Vice President of Sales Strategy Daryl Bazemore accepted the award, which highlighted the corporation’s commitment to working with minority-owned businesses and inspiring the next generation of leaders through innovative community-focused initiatives.
Additional acknowledgments went to corporations including Hensel Phelps, Clark Construction, Turner Construction, ACCO, Rosendin, PCL, Critchfield Mechanical, Southern California Edison (SCE), SoCal Gas, and Barnard Construction for their efforts in providing employment and subcontracting opportunities for African Americans on major public works projects.
Chairman Hale closed the evening with a powerful message of unity and resilience.
“Together, we are stronger. And together, we will continue to build a Los Angeles where African American businesses can thrive, succeed, and reach their greatest potential,” he said.
For more information about GLAAACC and its programs and initiatives, please visit glaaacc.org.