Welcome to the Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce

“History is the foundation for which progress is built…the foundation and the basis for our daily decisions…the foundation for our future plans. But history without progress, without decisions and without future plans…remains history, unlearned.” by Laura R. Thompson

The Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce was founded in May 1938 as the “Negro Chamber of Commerce” when twelve men and one woman, Miss Euretta K. Fairchild, decided to form an organization to address the business/entrepreneurial needs of the Black community in San Antonio. They had the tenacity to dream, to visualize, to move forward, to make decisions, to plan and then to implement progress and change. The Chamber began with the idea that economic development was not only necessary in the black community, but also possible. This vision and commitment of a few men and one woman, saw a better San Antonio that needed the inclusion of black commerce. Of course, unlike today, Chamber members had extremely limited resources and building materials, and they owned very little property; yet, as a united faction, they began to blaze trails throughout the East and West sides of San Antonio. Whatever they could dream, they worked together to achieve. Whatever they needed, they worked together to develop and create.

San Antonio’s Black business/entrepreneurial community has a rich history. We’ve built a chamber of commerce, churches, business complexes, hotels, night clubs, funeral homes, sports complexes, colleges, schools, retail stores, cleaners, daycare and community centers, and newspapers…whatever we needed, we built it. Did we have all the money we needed? No! Did we wait for the perfect opportunity? No! We planned, we organized, we prayed, we worked together, we supported and did business with one another, we persevered, and we created powerful networks.

In reflection of our foundation, we are reminded that history is also a learning tool; and as we use this tool to build for the future, the Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce will create a new, stronger and productive history for tomorrow. As our needs change, our perspective will change; as our membership’s business structure changes, we will discover new and innovative delivery systems; as we adopt new ideas, we will continue to make improvements; and as we continue to prosper, we will stay hungry for progress and continue to give the best professional services to our business and residential communities. Economic development and commerce will be key as we target doing business with each other and work collectively. We will make San Antonio a better place to live and do business as we strengthen our foundation, surging forward and flourishing together as we have done historically.

Come and join our new history making venture, step up to make your 69 year old Chamber a more significant influence in the culture, economic matrix and fabric of San Antonio, Texas.

Our Mission
To promote, encourage and provide programs and services which contribute to economic development and growth of minority and small business throughout San Antonio. To advocate policies, and establish coalitions which improve business opportunities for African Americans, and provide a foundation for a diverse and prosperous regional economy.

CORPORATE PROFILE

The Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic and commercial progress of our communities.

The Chamber seeks to have a positive impact on business, income and future growth of its membership.

There are two primary functions of the Chamber:

It acts as spokesperson for the business and professional community and translates into action the group thinking of its members; and
It renders services of a type that can be most effectively rendered by a professional organization both to its members and to the community as a whole.

PRESENT GOALS

To strategically grow its influence, and thereby its ability to make a positive impact in the business, education, income, and business opportunities of its small business membership.
To actively reach out to all African American Businesses and Professionals.
To establish the Chamber as an effective voice in government, in the political arena, and in business access units, for the benefit of its small business members.
To become intimately involved with each small business member’s company to assess their needs and opportunities for the next level of business.

Executive Director : Gwendolyn Robinson

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From the Desk of
The Executive Director
Gwendolyn P. Robinson

Thank you for visiting The Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce website. We welcome and encourage you to tour our web pages, learn more about the mission of the Chamber, and to seek opportunities to utilize the valued services of our membership which includes black businesses and corporations in San Antonio and surrounding areas.

I would like to share a snapshot of my business experience. My professional background includes 37 years in the banking industry in Chicago, Illinois; serving as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Illinois Service Federal, a black owned, founded and operated community bank. Community bank is an important phrase as it denotes community, small businesses; personal, business and home loans; offering educational workshops and seminars for entrepreneurs and community residents. It further identifies the “know how” in reaching the grassroots population as well as boardroom executives; the desire to build a community, the dedication to economic growth and community foundation. I bring these skills to the Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce and a commitment to providing professional representation on behalf of all black businesses.

Upon my retirement as President and COO of Illinois Service Federal in Janaury 2006, I chose San Antonio as the city for my future dreams and career aspirations; an old yet new place to call home, as I was born in Beaumont, Texas. April 2, 2007 was my first day of employment with the Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce, the beginning of a passion to build a legacy for our black business community through long tenure and business savvy. A legacy that is well deserved for the Alamo City Black Chamber, soon to celebrate its 70th anniversary in May 2008.

My educational experience includes two years of study at Upper Iowa University (Fayette, Iowa); Bachelors of Science degree from Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois); and a specialized post graduate certificate for three summers of study at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas.

I’m excited about my personal business goals for the Chamber, and invite you to join our team in the journey to higher levels of business development and recognition for the Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerece, its members and affiliates. Uniting with the Chamber as a member is very significant, as numbers and size makes a difference – a difference in a voice to be heard – a difference in beneficial programs and services – and business networking opportunities, thus creating stronger communities.

Again, I really appreciate this opportunity to share my story and information on the Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce. I look forward to doing business with you.

Sincerely,
Gwendolyn P. Robinson
Executive Director