At Black BRAND, Hampton Roads’ Black Chamber of Commerce, we are dedicated to empowering Black women entrepreneurs and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. In proud partnership with Norfolk State University, and with the invaluable support of the Blocker Foundation, Truist Foundation, and Riverside Health System, we recently hosted a transformative experience: the Women Who Lead…

Ready to supercharge your impact in Hampton Roads? Whether you lead a nonprofit or represent a company committed to community transformation, the 4th Annual Community Impact Conference is for you. Hosted by Black BRAND and Volunteer Hampton Roads, and sponsored by Birdsong Health Literacy Center of Excellence, Tidewater Community College, Dollar Bank and Assembly, this…

The real estate market is evolving, presenting new opportunities for building wealth and driving community growth. Black BRAND’s 8th annual real estate readiness conference, HRRealCON’25, embraces this shift with the theme “Regional Renaissance.” This highly anticipated event is designed for those eager to unlock wealth through real estate—whether in residential, commercial, or revitalizing communities. Being…

Black BRAND Legacy Day 2025 was a powerful gathering of community leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers, all united by a mission to foster economic empowerment, equity and sustainable growth. The event featured thought-provoking discussions, strategic networking and cultural enrichment, all aligning with Black BRAND’s 150-Year Plan—a bold vision for long-term community impact. The event also served…

Reflections from the CEO of Black BRAND: Embracing 2025 as Our Regional Renaissance The future seems uncertain. The present is chaotic. The past is out of reach. At Black BRAND, I do not deny the reality where we find ourselves. These times are turbulent and unprecedented, and denial does not serve any of us well.…

Black BRAND Graduation 2025: Empowering Black Entrepreneurs and Professionals in Hampton Roads On Feb. 1st, 2025, Black BRAND, the Black Chamber of Commerce for Hampton Roads, hosted its first-ever combined graduation ceremony at the stunning Founder’s Inn. Graduates from three transformative programs – B-Force Accelerator, Surge Business Academy, and Women Who Lead – prepared for…

Two major pieces of tax legislation passed in the years 2020 and  2021, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic – the  Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) and its offspring, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Also gaining congressional approval was the Coronavirus Response and Consolidated Appropriations Act. All were intended to provide…

Covid-19 was a boon for social media platforms like Tik Tok. The allure may have been a way to connect with the greater world when real-time connection was limited. The app has been installed over 800 million times since the novel coronavirus first appeared in 2020, and the videos hosted on its site have earned…

Distinguished from accountants by the stringent qualifications and licensing requirements they must meet, CPAs (certified public accountants) are widely recognized and highly trusted professionals in the business world. Not only do they play the critical role of a tax preparer, CPAs can be partners and strategists with small business owners in charting a path for…

While many small businesses have a CPA or finance expert on board, fewer are likely to have an attorney. Most small business owners (SBOs), especially those in operation for less than five years, don’t account for legal representation until an unwelcome situation arises. Ideally, a SBO thinks proactively and secures legal counsel before they find…

In this blog post, we will continue our walkthrough of Google Analytics. This platform offers multiple methods of presenting information that can be helpful for your business.    Terms  First, let’s start with some explanations of some essential terms to know. While you analyze your dashboard, keep these metrics in mind!    Bounce Rate: This…

Many exciting informational events for black business owners interested in contract opportunities are coming to our community in March! From the Tidewater Gardens Redevelopment to the up and coming Rivers Casino, we have listed three major opportunities to get involved.  Tidewater Gardens Redevelopment – March 10th  With the redevelopment of the Tidewater Gardens public housing,…

Pre-COVID19 video conferencing was a small, mostly underutilized option for remote teams and some C-Suite executives working across the country. Now, everyone uses some form of video to communicate – especially with loved ones! It’s also become the primary source of business communication. Video conferencing is definitely here to stay.  But not all businesses have…

Black Diamond Weekend will be here before you know it: November 27th – 29th. We are going digital; and prioritizing your safety and comfort, Black BRAND will deliver our entire event straight to your living room, home office, or even your back porch.  For those who haven’t attended Black Diamond Weekend before, or even our…

Growing a business following on social media is usually a marathon rather than a sprint. There are definitely businesses that are overnight sensations, but those are rather rare. In our digitally connected world, there are two opportunities for black business owners to gain a social media following: paid and organically. Since paid is often too…

Should I apply for another grant?  Yes! Absolutely. The grant application is daunting – it’s time-consuming. It feels incredibly intrusive. It makes us vulnerable. We may be rejected. Very true. But, accessing the capital we need is more accessible this year than it has been in years past, and the process should not deter us.…

According to trusty Wikipedia, Digital Marketing is “… the component of marketing that utilizes the internet and online-based digital technologies such as desktop computers, mobile phones, and other digital media and platforms to promote products and services.” For many black business owners, digital marketing may simply refer to your website; and like marketing in general,…

Many established and brand new businesses only “resort” to seeing a lawyer when they absolutely have to. Maybe there is a lawsuit against your company? Perhaps you need to bring a lawsuit against another business or vendor? Maybe a vendor, contractor, or partner broke an agreement that was in writing?  Unfortunately, these events can happen…

Not only does Black BRAND help existing black business owners, but we also provide resources for companies to establish themselves throughout the region, including in the  Hampton Roads peninsula. One way we can help is to offer a simple, practical guide for starting a business. Since this can be a complicated process, we broke down,…

Many black business owners may have heard of Google Analytics (GA), but how exactly is it used, and how should you be using it for your business?  Why Should You Use Google Analytics as a Black Business Owner?  Many businesses already have a website, but do you know how that website is performing for you?…

Small businesses often have so many considerations, for both day to day and growth activities. When your staff is small and resources are tight, there are several free online tools, apps, and more that can help you achieve all of your business goals.  Our list includes both tools and resources to help. These are some…

We put together some funding resources to help with black business opportunities in Hampton Roads. Let us know which funding resource you used and why! Grants: Grants are the most popular form of funding, but typically this funding is only for nonprofits. Here are several Foundations and organizations that are giving grants to support black…