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.

What I am here to do is ground us in a reality that we had long since lost sight of, and that is what has always kept us engaged, focused, and connected. This is our commitment to collective progress and economic empowerment through Black BRAND.

Leaning Into Your Black BRAND Community

What makes the pressure of doing uncertainty less weighty is the collaboration of doing it in community. And now, more than ever, we need to commit to coming together around what unites us. We share Hampton Roads. We share business. We share the fact that we are clear about our personal mission and how it intersects with that of others to create meaning and opportunity in the lives of members of this community. Black BRAND exists as a catalyst for this shared growth, supporting Black-owned businesses and economic sustainability.

2025: The Year of Regional Renaissance

We are living a regional renaissance —a transformative period of revitalization and opportunity. Consider the momentum:

• Widespread revitalization of neighborhoods and business districts.
• Industry proliferation that fuels job creation and entrepreneurship.
• Critical transit improvement and infrastructure development to support mobility and commerce.
• Groundbreaking research and innovation shaping the future of our economy.
• A resurgence in art and culture that strengthens our collective identity.
• Growing regionalism and economic investment in Black-owned businesses.

Increased collaboration through Black BRAND and our network of community leaders.

Changing the World Right Where We are Standing

Now more than ever, it is important to shift our focus from screening national and international headlines and going down the rabbit hole to tapping into local engagement opportunities and understanding what is happening with those in very close proximity to us. We must invest our energy into the businesses, organizations, and individuals making a difference in our community. Black BRAND provides the platform and resources to make those connections meaningful and impactful.

Building bridges and doing business. That’s something we can actually control. Those are moves that we actually can make. By leaning into Black BRAND’s mission, we empower ourselves and others to create sustainable change in Hampton Roads and beyond.

No matter our personal convictions about changing legislation, we can lead from a place of authenticity, carrying out values of respect and resourcefulness that will have a profound impact on the people around us. No one has to tell us this is necessary; we already know.

Following the Wisdom of Sankofa

And, while our natural predilection might be to take several steps back, to isolate and to retreat from social activity, we are not served well in this decision. According to the American Medical Association, social isolation is a threat to our mental as well as our physical health and it remains a growing concern post COVID. Opportunities to engage in person mean a chance to build in person, beyond the superficial realm of our social media perceptions and status updates.

A mission as fundamental as ours means that my message remains unchanged: we are not going it alone. The social capital we are building remains vitally important. Sankofa reminds us that it is not taboo to go back and fetch what we have forgotten, and that’s connectivity. Our Regional Renaissance takes us back to thriving as a community. That’s how we did it then and that’s how we will continue thriving. Black BRAND is here to guide the way.

 

Very Respectfully Yours,

Blair

Blair Durham

Co-Founder/CEO

Black BRAND