THE HISTORY OF
THE BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
PERMIAN BASIN
The Black Chamber of Commerce-Permian Basin (BCCPB) is a non-profit organization under the IRS code 501(c) 6. The chamber was chartered with the Texas Secretary of State in 1984, and held its first organizational meeting in 1986 to start the Texas Association of African American Chambers (TAAACC). The BCCPB is currently a member of the TAAACC along with 25 other Black/African American chambers from all over the state. The BCCPB is chartered for the seventeen (17) county area known as the Permian Basin. Members are from several cities including Odessa, Andrews, Midland, Monahans, and McCamey. The Chamber itself is located in the city of Odessa in Ector County.
The BCCPB’s primary objective is to promote the creation of black/minority owned businesses in the Permian Basin area through Economic Development as well as promoting Black/Minority convention and tourism. The work of the BCCPB is concentrated mainly in the black/minority communities of the Permian Basin, where it works toward the legislative agendas as a member of the TAAACC and on the national level with the National Black Chamber of Commerce.
Each year, the BCCPB conducts workshops for small and minority owned businesses. The topics include:
A. How to Develop a Business C. Procurement with Local Government
B. Doing Business in the State of Tex D. Financing with Local Banks
A non-profit status 501(c) 3 was granted to the BCCPB from the IRS as the “Odessa Black Chamber Charitable Fund”, which is the chamber’s non-profit foundation. Through this foundation the BCCPB has established a scholarship fund program for graduation seniors in Ector County. An average of three (3) scholarships of $500 are awarded each year. The Robert E. Williams, Sr. Memorial Golf Tournament is usually held every year on the third weekend in July to benefit the scholarship fund.
The Black Chamber of Commerce Theme of Work for 2021 is: “Resilience”.
The BCCPB relies on membership, special fund raising, and corporate support to operate on a daily basis. This major fundraising event that was started in 1986 is the Annual Ebony Bar Awards Banquet, which is usually held the second weekend in November. During the event, the BCCPB recognizes a Business Person of the Year, a Business Hall of Fame Award, the Adela Uranga Humanitarian Award, the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and The President’s Award, for their contribution to the black community. Our website is: www.odessablackchamber.com. Please feel free to check us out as we would love for you to consider becoming a member of our chamber