The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) was established in 1991 by a group of business owners and executives led by Gene Hale, President of G&C Equipment Corporation and the late Homer Broome, former president of Marvid Associates. The vision then and now was to create an organization that would serve as an advocate for African American-owned business enterprises and to promote their growth and expansion into the international arena.
Beginning with a $5,000 grant from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc, GLAAACC began its journey. Led by Hale, Broome, the late William Kennard, Sr. and other prominent business owners, GLAAACC was able to attract the attention and support of major corporations, including the public utility sector.
GLAAACC held its first major fundraiser, the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce Economic Award Dinner in 1993. Chaired by Sam Iacobellis of Rockwell International, the keynote speaker was Daniel S. Goldin, administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Since that time the annual dinner has grown in size and stature. Notable speakers have included Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, Los Angeles County Supervisor (1998); former LA Governor Gray Davis (2001), Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (2008) and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, chairman & CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises (2009).
Receptions and town hall luncheons are the vehicles GLAAACC employs to create networking opportunities for its members. Guest speakers at these events include notables such as former U.S. Vice President Al Gore; the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown; U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters; Al Fromm, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee; Gil Garcetti, former Los Angeles County District Attorney; Bernard Parks, current Los Angeles Councilman and former LAPD Chief; former LAPD Chief Willie Williams; Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and a host of senior executives from the corporate community. At these events members are afforded the opportunity to meet, exchange business cards, have a dialogue and develop relationships with potential customers.
In keeping with its mission, GLAAACC has been active in its advocacy and support of African American business enterprise by providing a variety of programs and services to assist in their growth and development. GLAAACC works to combine the resources of the African American business community and other business organizations in order to secure solutions for expanding business opportunities.
Committed to the development of new African American business leaders, GLAAACC created the GLAAACC Education Fund & Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit public benefit corporation, in 1999 to provide scholarships for high school students seeking a degree in business or a related field.
During the holidays, GLAAACC hosts its annual Peace & Prosperity Holiday Mixer and fundraises for toys to donate to various nonprofit organizations that are designed to assist low income families in need. GLAAACC also provides turkeys to parents of children located in Southern Los Angeles.
In addition to lobbying to city, state and federal lawmakers on issues affecting business enterprise, GLAAACC assists in providing information, resources and referrals to the community at large.
The mission of the GLAAACC is to advocate and promote the economic growth and development of the African American business by focusing on legislative advocacy, as well as identifying and developing business opportunities and strategic business alliances. Learn more at glaaacc.org.
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