Madison Black Chamber of Commerce

Wisconsin small businesses make up over 99 percent of all businesses in the state, employing roughly one million residents. Greater Madison communities have long been defined by their array of small businesses, but the oft-unsung heroes are the chambers of commerce working to ensure these businesses find success and have the resources and connections they need to thrive.

Though the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce has existed in some form since 1869, other area chambers recognize the need to support their members in ways specific to their communities. Sun Prairie, Middleton, Fitchburg, and so on have their own chambers of commerce. Then there are chambers that seek to empower minority-owned businesses, which is why the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce came into existence.

“The Madison Black Chamber had been an organization under the acronym AABBA (African American Black Business Association),” says Camille Carter, president and CEO of the Madison Black Chamber. “So about 2004, when the organization began to take form, it was just a few Black businesses in the area wanting to come together and identify other Black-owned businesses because there wasn’t a lot of information that coalesced all of the Black businesses at that time.” In fact, AABBA was initially only able to identify around a few dozen Black-owned businesses.

“Over the years, the organization continued to grow. More businesses were identified, and they created, not only the Black business directory, but also the first Black business expo in Madison. In 2012, the association chartered into the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce.”

But that transition from association to chamber proved more difficult than anticipated. The organization existed on an all-volunteer basis, and figuring out how to fund and finance a chamber with board members and an executive director wasn’t a natural shift. They needed someone to assume the work in a paid, full-time capacity.

“The previous administration was fatigued from building the organization,” says Camille. “They didn’t have the time to continue volunteering the work that a new chamber of commerce would require. The organization was transitioning and trying to find leadership to take the organization forward. … I came into this role in 2018 because I was an entrepreneur, and I understood the importance of chambers as a resource for business development. I was in this role because I had the bigger vision that Madison and, in particular, Black Madison and Black entrepreneurs deserved a strong chamber of commerce. Had I not stepped into that role, this organization would not be here today.”

Camille’s financial savvy enabled her to take on the role of president, which she wouldn’t be compensated for through two and a half years. Though the timeline wasn’t what she’d planned for, it’s what was needed to build up the chamber’s resources. Whatever work was necessary to get the job done, Camille was going to put in, period. As she says, “This is our legacy.”

The history of the organization is something very important to the chamber. Camille fondly recalls the work of founding member Ms. Milele Chikasa Anana, who passed in 2020 at the age of 86. Ms. Milele might be better known for creating Umoja magazine, which to this day focuses on sharing positive news in Madison’s Black community. Her love for writing led to the creation of the Madison Black Business Directory, which in 2008 was only able to identify around 75 Black-owned businesses and hasn’t been updated since 2018, when 325 Black-owned businesses were listed. The Madison Black Chamber is excited to announce there’s a new printed edition coming out in 2025, which will share listings of over 800 Black-owned businesses.

“We want to raise the awareness of Black-owned businesses,” says Camille. “To think about buying Black intentionally because we all have choices. Through our Black business directory, we want to make them visible to the community at large so you can support them and help sustain their longevity.”

The Madison Black Chamber also puts on events aimed at increasing the prominence of Black-owned businesses, like Madison Black Restaurant Week, when people are encouraged to visit a collection of 50 Black-owned restaurants from as far as Tomah and Fort Atkinson. The event ends with the Food Taste Jamboree festival, akin to the Taste of Madison. The idea is to allow people to find new favorite restaurants they can revisit and support throughout the year. There’s also Business Mix & Mingle networking and technical assistance support to strengthen entrepreneurs’ understandings of business practices while providing businesses opportunities to grow networks and elevate and expand the Black business ecosystem.

“We are here to support Black businesses and to help navigate them to resources and opportunities. Connecting that and closing the gaps.” Madison is fortunate to have so many fantastic resources that businesses can lean into if they know where to find them. For many small businesses, a chamber of commerce is the ultimate resource for bolstering; it’s an open line of communication that exists for the successes of its members.

And the Madison Black Chamber isn’t just an organization Black businesses can be a part of. It’s essential that other Greater Madison businesses that support the mission are members as well. The Madison Black Chamber believes embracing diversity and equal opportunity for all results in a stronger community, and all chamber members have the benefits of those connections and networks.

Looking to the future, Camille says, “We’re very excited about our evolving programs. We’ve just launched our youth entrepreneurial program this summer, and we are expanding into our mobile chamber services this fall. We just continue to ideate and improve our program outcomes. I think we’re growing in the right direction for the right reasons. I’d love to see south central Wisconsin be one of the best places for businesses to start, run, and thrive.”

Compared to other area chambers, the Madison Black Chamber is in its infancy. It’s undergone growing pains, like finding an office space to call home. Only just this January, they established permanent headquarters at The HUB business center. In their new space, they have firmer footing with focused leadership and a clearer vision. Everyone who sees the value in promoting Greater Madison’s Black-owned businesses is encouraged to become a member and join the Madison Black Chamber. Suggestions, feedback, and volunteers are always welcome.

Look for the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce print directory in 2025.

Kyle Jacobson is a writer who believes whatever is necessary to get through the day.

Madison Black Chamber of Commerce
2352 S. Park Street, Suite 214
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 729-1238
madisonblackchamber.com