Black Chamber Plans Leadership Summit

Wilmer Amina Carter

Robert Byrd

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce will discuss how to positively impact community, political and economic issues when it holds its Black Leadership Summit on Friday, January 30.

Black elected officials, their representatives, chief executive officers, business owners, managers and pastors have been invited to attend this event. This is the first of what the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce hopes will become an annual event.

The goal of the summit is to determine three specific topics for the Chamber’s concentration during 2009. The invited guests have been asked to send in questions and comments regarding community, political and economic issues, which will be reviewed prior to the day of the summit to determine which community concerns should be discussed at the summit.

Carl Dameron, president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce and Dameron Communications is hosting the event. “Working together to help each other succeed” is the main goal of this summit,” he said. “Despite the economic downturn we can make this a great 2009.”

This summit will also inform community leaders about important topics, including the current budgets of the State of California, Riverside County and San Bernardino County.
Wilmer Amina Carter, California State Assembly Member, 62nd District, will discuss the State of California’s budget.

“It is important that we acknowledge the contributions and the excellence practiced by business owners, executives, government agencies and organizations, such as the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce, who are dedicated to Black business development,” said District 62 Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter, a Rialto small business owner who has introduced a bill that would provide technical assistance for individuals who want to start up microenterprises.

Robert Byrd, Riverside County auditor and controller, will speak on the economic overview and Riverside County budget. He will also moderate the discussion on economic issues.

“This event will raise the consciousness of people about economic, political, and community issues and will make them want to get involved,” Byrd said.

Keith Lee, Deputy Administrative Officer for San Bernardino County, will moderate the discussion on political issues. Carolyn Murray, professor of psychology at University of California, Riverside, will moderate the discussion of community issues.

Eddie Catoe, Government Relations Executive of Dameron communications is coordinating this event The co-host committee includes State Senator Gloria Negrete-McLeod, Assembly Member Carter, Deputy Administrative Officer Lee, San Bernardino Mayor Pro Tem Rikke Van Johnson, Fontana Council Member Aquanetta Warren, Rialto Council Member Deborah Robertson, Rialto City Clerk Barbara McGee

The guests will be served a continental breakfast and lunch. They will receive a CD containing an Excel spread sheet with contact information for all attending the event; the Final Health Care Report, prepared by Dr. Diane Woods of the African-American Health Institute of San Bernardino County; The State of Black California, a report from the California Legislative Black Caucus; The Inland Empire in 2015, a report from the Public Policy Institute of California; John Husing’s 2008 economic report; and information about the Inland Empire Community Calendar & Cultural Events, www.ie-community.com and how one can add an event to this calendar.


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