MBA – 2021 Year in Review
The Chamber Minority Business Alliance (MBA) celebrates a successful year engaging and supporting members, building partnerships, and raising awareness.
Funding Support:
- $3000 MBA Endurance grant, 3 recipients – Black Women of Central Va; Jefferson School African American Heritage Center; New Hill Development Corporation
- Forward Adelante received a grant to put together a Latino business directory
- $70,000 in total grant funding awarded to 7 MBA members (partnership with United Way of Greater Charlottesville and MBA)
Media:
- Launched MBA Community Facebook group
- MBA members and executive committee featured in C-ville Weekly's minority business spotlight
- Emergent Financial Services launched online show, Today y Mañana
- Lifeview Marketing created video with Culinary Concepts AB for UWGC/MBA partnership
- MBA JF Bell Vanguard Award recipient – the staff of the Community Investment Collaborative –highlighted on NBC29 and CBS19 and in The Daily Progress and Vinegar Hill Magazine
- MBA members interviewed for Chamber’s WINA and NBC29 community spots, featured on United Way’s Uncommon Voices podcast and Neighborhood Law Center
- MBA Endurance Fund awards, Vanguard Award, Minority Business Month promoted across multiple social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter)
- Sober Pierre and Pearl Island Catering featured in Maupintown Media production on Black-owned businesses
MBA Partnerships:
- Allison Partners
- C-ville Weekly
- Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (CV SBDC)
- Community Investment Collaborative
- Forezee Marketing Solutions
- Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
- Jefferson School City Center
- Triple C Camp
- United Way of Greater Charlottesville
- Vinegar Hill Magazine
Membership participation:
- Strong showing at virtual meetings, even after changing from monthly to bi-monthly
- Had strong membership support for MBA Fun Day @ Jefferson School. First time hosting this type of meeting.
- Members served as speakers for MBA and other affinity group meetings including Business Women’s Round Table and Public Policy
- Members participated in United Way’s Envision Launch Party and the Black Business Expo
- Members serve in leadership roles for other Chamber groups
- Members continue to make an effort to support one another’s business through purchases/contracts, testimonials, referrals, posting and sharing on social media
MBA Members Community Participation:
- Our members continue to be very civically-engaged, serving on boards, commissions, committees, panels, focus groups, etc.