From the President’s Desk

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I never set out to start a chamber of commerce. What I did set out to do was see women and children’s lives transformed, bringing encouragement, empowerment, and stability while watching my community thrive. What I didn’t realize was that this passion would also open my eyes, through both observation and personal experience, to the disparity faced by Black business owners, not only in East Contra Costa County but beyond.

I wanted to see us, not just survive but thrive with access, opportunity, and representation. But it wasn’t until recently, when I went looking for support for an upcoming project where I wanted to be a blessing to our residents; I went looking for a local Black Chamber to connect with, hoping to offer free tickets to our upcoming stage play to women's shelters, domestic violence programs, rape crisis centers, and youth organizations that I realized; 1) it's hard to garner support for black businesses and 2) there wasn't a black chamber in our community.

Can I be blatantly honest? I was ticked. I paused and asked Father God, "Why can’t we have anything that stands in our community, where we can work together to build? And, why is it so hard to get support? That moment led to a phone call… and that call turned into a revelatory moment where truth met purpose. And here we are.

Frustration became a burden, and that burden, I believe, was God-intended. A burden for my people and my community that had always been there… but now, fueled by faith, ECCBCC was birthed. This is “now” faith. The kind that believes we can do more, together. That we can shift narratives and build a thriving, Black-led business ecosystem right here in our own backyard. Those who know me, know I am about hleping, supporting and trying to encourage  unity where we work and succeed together!

ECC Black Chamber isn’t just another community organization, nah, it’s more than that. It’s a commitment to my community, a calling from Father God, an institution built to bring forth generational wealth and a sustained legacy. It's a hub that will provide training, advocacy, access, and authentic community support for Black entrepreneurs, youth, and seasoned professionals alike, void of nepotism and more.

Listen, though I come from humble beginnings and not one of wealth or politics, but a faith that knows Father God uses ordinary people to start and build extraordinary things.

NOTE: And just for the record, this not written by Chat, this is my heart!

Propehtess Ceola J.

Founder and Executive Director

East Contra Costa Black Chamber of Commerce