Letter to the editor: History of African American Chamber of Commerce

I would like to clarify the history of an economic organization that is important in the history of Pittsburgh’s black community — the African American Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1996 at the suggestion of business consultant Richard Portis. Founding members were Mulu Birru and Charles Reaves of the Urban Redevelopment Authority and myself. Charter members were businessmen Earl Hord, Robert Agbede, Andre Young, Sam Stephenson, Leon Howard Jr., Glen Mahone, Eustace Uku, Howard Graves and Sam McCadney.

Like black chambers of commerce across America, its purpose was to help grow and develop black businesses and increase access to capital and development projects. As a demonstration of our commitment, the 12 founders volunteered their time and pooled their own money to launch the chamber.

I started the Power Breakfast to raise money. Our first corporate members were CH2M Hill and the Port Authority. We held a major fundraiser in 1998 at the Rivers Club with Gov. Tom Ridge as keynote speaker. Doris Carson Williams was hired as the first executive director in 1998; she has continued to build on the early success of the chamber and taken it to greater heights.

Behind every success story are those who are unsung. I hope readers gain keener insight into the origins of this fine organization. Entrepreneurship is key to the future prosperity of the African American community in Pittsburgh.

Charles M. Powell

Mt. Lebanon

The writer is retired director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority.