Black Chamber of Arizona

08/25/2026

$9 MILLION CONTRACT. One business owner. One example of what happens when access meets opportunity.

Leslie Leland | Identity Architect, founder of Wigs Plus and a Black Chamber of Arizona member, turned mentorship and the right connections into federal contracting success, including a $9 million VA contract, with $3 million awarded to her business.

In this conversation with Congressman Congressman Greg Stanton, Leslie shares how Dr. Dr. Velma Trayham 👩🏽‍💻 mentored her into winning this contract, and why the right support matters from real experts.

This is economic development in action.
Your business could be next.

🔗 Become a member. Learn more about us: BlackChamberAZ.org

Check out the full interview on YouTube
https://youtu.be/zqKczIOzcA4

08/25/2026

Member Spotlight: Leslie K Leland

Leslie Williams, founder of Wigs Plus, built a healthcare business ...

08/24/2026

Opportunity Starts With Membership 🌵
The Black Chamber of Arizona connects businesses to the relationships, programs, business support, and opportunities that help them grow.

Membership means access to a powerful statewide network of business leaders, corporate partners, education, resources, and opportunities designed to move your business forward.

If you’re ready to grow, expand your network, and position your business for growth, get connected today.

We invite you to become a member 🌵☀️
https://blackchamberaz.org/membership-levels/

08/19/2026

The Arizona Legacy Center is getting ready to open its doors and this next chapter is about much more than a building. 🌵

As the new home of the Black Chamber of Arizona, the Arizona Legacy Center will serve as a hub for entrepreneurship, workforce development, access to capital, contracting opportunities, education, strategic partnerships, and community advancement.

But the vision goes even further.

The Center is also available for corporate gatherings, community events, trainings, workshops, receptions, meetings, and private convenings creating a space where business, community, and opportunity can come together under one roof.

Private tours are now taking place for corporate partners, community leaders, organizations, and those interested in hosting future events at the Center.

On behalf of our President & CEO, Dr. Velma Trayham , we also extend a very special thank you to Kaley O'Kelley and ABC15 Arizona for stopping by and helping tell this story.

For Dr. Trayham, this one is personal. Kaley is not only a respected journalist, but a friend who has supported her vision and taken the time to understand the deeper purpose behind this project. We’re grateful for her friendship, her support, and for giving Black Chamber members the opportunity to share their businesses and their stories.

The doors are almost open.
The work is already happening.

Interested in a private tour, partnership, membership, or hosting your next event at the Arizona Legacy Center? Connect with the Black Chamber of Arizona.

This is where business, access, and opportunity meet.

08/18/2026

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Phoenix and Tucson FBI Citizens Academy sessions. We need your help identifying outstanding candidates for the class of 2027.

To Apply: https://lnkd.in/ghJTepmb

To nominate yourself or another qualified candidate, please complete the nomination form at the link below:
Submit Citizens Academy Nomination form
Nomination Deadline: October 7, 2026, by 4:00 p.m.

Nominees will be notified of initial selections during the second or third week of October. If selected at that stage, they will receive an application to begin the background process and should return it as quickly as possible.

Tucson Session
February 23, 24, and 25, 2027 | 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Range Day: Saturday, March 6, 2027, in Phoenix, Arizona. Additional details will be provided during the class.

Phoenix Session
March 2, 3, and 4, 2027 | 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Range Day: Saturday, March 6, 2027, in Phoenix, Arizona. Additional details will be provided during the class.

About the FBI Citizens Academy
The FBI Citizens Academy is a four‑day program offering business, civic, faith, and community leaders an inside look at the FBI’s mission, operations, and partnerships. Held each spring in Phoenix and Tucson, the academy includes three classroom‑style days followed by a hands‑on range day. Its purpose is to strengthen understanding of the FBI through open dialogue, education, and collaboration.

08/18/2026

A building that once symbolized decline in central Phoenix is being transformed into a launchpad for what comes next.

08/17/2026

Black Chamber of Arizona featured on ABC15 Arizona 15 News about our new building 🔥

We will connect entrepreneurs to capital and contracts, people to jobs, and young people to new career and ownership pathways.

Our goal: help create 100,000 jobs in Arizona by 2035.

Now the real work begins.
More businesses. More contracts.
More jobs. More opportunity.

Founding Corporate Partner opportunities and corporate residencies are open, and ribbon-cutting invitations are being issued.

If your organization wants to help build Arizona’s next generation of economic opportunity, reach out.

Thank you to Kaley O'Kelley and ABC15 Arizona ☀️ for sharing the story. Huge shoutout to our President & CEO Dr. Velma Trayham our executive board members Dr. Sharon Smith, and Ryan Garlington

🌵

08/15/2026

Supporting businesses means creating opportunities to be seen, supported, and discovered.

The Vendor Marketplace showcased incredible businesses, products, and entrepreneurs throughout the Summit.

Thank you to every vendor who showed up, connected with attendees, and helped make the Marketplace a success.

See a business you love? Follow them, support them, and let’s help share their story ✨

08/14/2026

YOUR BUSINESS. YOUR VOICE. OUR FUTURE. 📊

The Black Chamber of Arizona has launched our 3rd Annual Community Business Survey.

For three years, we’ve been listening, tracking data and using what we learn to build programs that respond to the real needs of Arizona businesses.

Your voice helps us understand what entrepreneurs need to start, grow and scale — while helping us tell the economic story of Black businesses and small businesses owners.

We don’t build from assumptions. We build from data.

📲 Take the survey.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=v3G11D6hHUWDlEaYuWYVriXu1Wp9wURPlSDAtuhVmztUNDIyTlowSDhKWTFTUEJPRUdOR0pJU0Y2NC4u