A wave of optimism and ambition swept through the city’s Black business community as the Pine Bluff Black Chamber of Commerce (PBBCC) officially launched last Friday, marking a transformative moment in the pursuit of economic equity and prosperity.
The Networking Mixer event, held at the ARTSpace on Main, was a vibrant testament to the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of the community.
Under the leadership of CEO Joni Robinson, the PBBCC is set to redefine the landscape for Black-owned businesses in Pine Bluff. According to Robinson, the organization’s inclusive mission extends a welcoming hand to all entrepreneurs, regardless of race, creed, religion or socioeconomic background, fostering a collaborative environment where businesses can thrive. PBBCC has partnered with Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and The 1899 Project. The recent event was sponsored by U.S. Bank.
In her introductory remarks, Robinson revealed that the PBBCC had surpassed 30 members in less than 30 days, a testament to the chamber’s burgeoning growth. She then outlined several crucial objectives: The chamber would prioritize networking, promoting its members’ businesses, facilitating access to capital and pursuing excellence in all endeavors.
Positioning itself as a valuable resource, the chamber would assist Black business owners in navigating the complexities of the small business landscape. It would serve as a central hub for Black businesses, providing a wealth of information and resources to support their growth and development. Recognizing the abundance of available resources for minority-owned businesses, the chamber pledged to bridge the gap by connecting Black entrepreneurs with these opportunities, empowering them to capitalize on their potential.
“The word Black in the Pine Bluff Black Chamber of Commerce is not only a call to action. It’s an acknowledgment of a group of people who have had a unique experience in this country,” Robinson said. “Our mission, our goals and our events are led by things that have disproportionately affected communities of color.”
Robinson said the resources they provide will still benefit anyone who is a member no matter their race. “This is not about division. It is about inclusivity and being able to say the word Black and not be uncomfortable when the word is mentioned,” she said.
According to Robinson, in Pine Bluff where African Americans comprise 75% of the population, there are approximately 3,000 businesses. Robinson presented startling statistics that astounded the audience, notably speaking that less than 8% of those businesses are owned by Black individuals, showcasing a significant disparity in business ownership.
The launch event proved to be a triumphant endeavor, captivating a diverse gathering of business owners, esteemed community leaders and enthusiastic supporters eager to embrace the PBBCC’s captivating vision. In collaboration with The 1899 Project, founded by CEO Benito Lubazibwa, key highlights included Cassandra Kidd, a business access advisor from U.S. Bank and a key sponsor of the PBBCC.
She reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to supporting Black entrepreneurs through financial resources and mentorship. Kidd also announced upcoming events aimed at empowering business owners with essential skills and knowledge.
“We are proud to support this organization,” she said. “Entrepreneurship in the Black community, in Pine Bluff, which is 70 percent to 80 percent black demographic… it was the perfect choice to bring our resources.”
Upon meeting, Robinson, Kidd expressed immense excitement about Robinson’s vibrant energy and innovative ideas. “I showed the video to the folks that write the check and they were so impressed,” said Kidd. “We are looking forward to great things happening in Pine Bluff.”
The diverse array of local entrepreneurs who shared their stories underscored the vibrant and innovative nature of Pine Bluff’s Black business community. The event showcased the remarkable story of 16-year-old Reagan Craig, whose entrepreneurial journey captivated the audience and served as an inspiration for aspiring business owners of all ages.
The story of Harvey Williams, CEO of Delta Dirt Distillery, can be traced back to his “Papa Joe” Williams, a pioneering farmer and sharecropper of the late 1800s. Delta Dirt is the sole Black-owned farm-to-bottled distillery in the United States.
“This is Black excellence in my opinion,” he said while showcasing his product.
From the only Black shoe repairman in Arkansas, an upcoming vegan restaurant owner in Pine Bluff and Taekwondo studios to insurance services and commercial cleaning services and mental health providers, the range of ventures highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit thriving in the city.
LoWanda Logan and Twylla Willis, members of the PBBCC and owners of Sugar Girls Couture Boutique, have been in business for 15 years. They expressed their gratitude for The 1899 Project, which, in collaboration with the PBBCC, made history as the first entity to invest in their boutique. During the weekend the organization honored them with a check.
“We didn’t take out any loans. We are self-funded and it was just a blessing,” said Logan. “We didn’t know they were going to give us money.”
Logan said the PBBCC has done so much for them in such a short amount of time.
Lubazibwa, an advocate for Black entrepreneurs, electrified the crowd with the announcement of a monthly $10,000 giveaway designed to accelerate the growth of Black-owned businesses. He said this initiative exemplifies the PBBCC’s commitment to providing tangible financial support to its members.
He spoke about the PBBCC’s launch signifying a turning point in the city’s economic landscape, offering a beacon of hope and opportunity for Black entrepreneurs. Robinson added by fostering an inclusive environment, providing essential resources and championing financial empowerment, the PBBCC is poised to catalyze a new era of economic growth and prosperity for Pine Bluff’s Black community.
As Robinson eloquently put it: “If you don’t know, now you know,” a sentiment that reverberated throughout the event, solidifying the collective determination to forge a brighter future where all businesses can thrive and contribute to the city’s vibrant tapestry.
In the United States, it is common to encounter multiple chambers of commerce within a single city, each catering to specific racial groups and industries. Robinson made this clarification in a follow-up interview to explain why Pine Bluff needed two separate chambers of commerce.
“It’s unrealistic to expect one Chamber or organization to provide the depth of support and advocacy that specialized chambers offer to their specific communities,” she said. “Now that we are official, we plan on reaching out to other business support organizations to see if we can work together.”
As per Robinson’s account, she extended her outreach to the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County and Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce by sending a letter that presented an opportunity for collaboration. In response to her initiative, she said she received a positive acknowledgment.
“We made sure that we designed the Pine Bluff Black Chamber of Commerce to not compete with any service programs currently being offered to set the tone of working together versus competition,” said Robinson. “We have designed our services to complement our current chamber creating opportunities for coexistence and collaboration.”
As far as those who feel having a Black Chamber of Commerce is causing division or feels racist, Robinson says to “just wait.”
“I’m sure you had people who said that with the creation of UAPB, which is a historically Black college and university and now one of the staples of Black excellence in education in Pine Bluff,” she said. “This type of backlash happens when it’s something new, but I do hope that my background and just the way I have carried myself in the public will give people a bit of confidence that this isn’t something to divide but bring us together.”
With heartfelt appreciation, Robinson acknowledged the overwhelming support she received for her latest endeavor, expressing that it was an unfamiliar, yet cherished gesture: an outpouring of gratitude.
“I’ve been in a lot of fields where you don’t get that and it feels good to hear that,” she said. “Sometimes you don’t know that you need to hear it and when you do, it feels good to get your flowers.”
—
This story has been corrected to describe the entities that are partnering with the PBBCC.