Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce 2012 NAACP Convention

Access, Advocacy & Awareness

Presented by Eric LyonsPresident & CEO

Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1935 as the city’s first African-American civic organization, HCCC has evolved into an active participant in the City of Houston’s economic success. HCCC is a not-for-profit, member-driven organization serving the Greater Houston area.

To be the premier business advocate for African-American business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals in the Greater Houston Area.

To help African-American business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals by securing business opportunities and providing programs and forums to educate, equip and empower the growth and prosperity of their businesses.

HISTORY

VISION

MISSION

Background

• Business Opportunities• Bid Information – RFP’s, RFQ’s, etc.• Business Leads & Referrals• Collaborative Partnerships

• Port of Houston Authority• United Healthcare

• Capacity Building• CEO Circle• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Initiatives• Lunch & Learn Series

Access

• Local Level• City of Houston• Port of Houston Authority• Houston Independent School District

• State Level • Texas Legislative Black Caucus• State Agencies

Advocacy

• National• National Black Chamber of Commerce• US Congressional Representatives• Department of Commerce

• International • International Trade Forum• Global Business Opportunities – Africa, Central

America, Caribbean, and Canada

Advocacy

• African American Business Achievement Pinnacle Awards• Annual recognition of Outstanding Black Business Owners.

• Group of Multi-Million Dollar Business Owners

• Buy Houston Citizens Chamber Initiative• Strategic Economic Development program with

the Houston Chapter of the National Black MBA Association.

Awareness

HCCC Foundation operates an Educational Achievement Scholarship program that awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors from the Greater Houston Community.•2012 is the 36th Anniversary of our Educational Achievement Awards

• More than $500,000 has been awarded to high school students • Capacity Building Initiative

Educational Achievement Scholarship

The Chamber Fellows Program:

-Capacity building initiative for college students (skill-sets), -the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce (community impact, economic development) - Chamber Members (strategic consulting and workforce development).

Chamber Fellows Program

The Pinnacle Awards is the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce’s flagship event spotlighting and honoring African-American businesses that have achieved success by combining vision, determination,perseverance, and dedication to building strong communities through business entreprenuership.

• Black-tie gala • Attended by approximately 800 guests

(corporate partners, political leaders, media and entrepreneurs)

Pinnacle Awards

African-American Business

Achievement Pinnacle Award

• Physical location for Chamber since 1965

• Received State of Texas Historical Organization Dedication in 2010

• Located in Historic 3rd Ward

Historic Organization

2010 State of Texas Dedication

Thank You