The Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce is hosting its fifth Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Jan. 28.
Themed “the Blue Carpet Affair” by the Chamber’s leadership team, based on its logo colors, the event commemorates the GABCC’s founding in 2017, in response to a growing demand by Augusta’s business community.
“It was truly business owners in the area requesting to have an organization, or networking group, formulated that encompassed additional small business support and more,” said co-founder and president Ronic West.
Interest meetings, demographics reviews, analyses of projected growth and other research confirmed the need for a chamber of commerce to complement the existing Augusta Metro Chamber.
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“We also understood we were missing out on initiatives led by national organizations, corporations, etc. such as the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce,” said West.
The organization has since supported minority-owned enterprises in the CSRA, per its mission statement of “fostering economic stability for businesses in the CSRA through advocacy, education, networking, discovery, and strategic partnerships,” said West. In 2021, the Chamber launched its Intensive Entrepreneurship Training Program, through support from its partner Bank of America, who donated $125,000 toward the program.
The sold-out event will celebrate the Chamber’s first five years and honor its more than 200 members in a series of awards in nine categories: Member Appreciation, Non-Profit of the Year, 10-Plus Year, Up & Coming Business to Watch, Collaborator of the Year, Most Engaged Member, Dedicated Service Award, Member of the Year and Business of the Year.
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The Blue Carpet Affair will be the Chamber’s second gala event since its first anniversary celebration in 2018. The GABCC held that initial celebration at the Pinnacle Club, and featured Shout 94.7 general manager Donna Wesby, Augusta Commissioner Jordan Johnson and late former mayor of Johnston, S.C. Terrence Culbreath as special guests.
Local news anchor Jay Jeffries will host this year’s festivities, which is to include performances by Russell Joel Brown of Broadway’s “The Lion King” and his “From Mozart to Motown” show; and Augusta-based singer-songwriter A.E. the Cool. Mayor Garnett Johnson will be the keynote speaker.
The celebration, sold out as of Friday, promises a 55% increase in turn out since its initial gala.
The Blue Carpet Affair, the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce’s 5th Anniversary Gala, will be at The Foundry at Rae’s Creek, 250 Boy Scout Rd. in Augusta, on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. For more information about the GABCC, visit www.mygabc.org, or call 706-750-8895.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
