The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce celebrated Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses in the Madison area at the 8th annual Black Business Awards Recognition & Exhibition at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center on March 26.

The Era’s Ball, a black tie event and the Chamber’s largest fundraiser, included networking, dinner, and dancing and an opportunity to shop at Black businesses at a local marketplace set up at the Monona Terrace Convention Center. Attendees were able to view the Official Black Wall Street Exhibit, a traveling exhibit from the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum.

With over 850 member businesses, the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit member organization that empowers businesses through education, advocacy,
promotion, and community building throughout south central Wisconsin.

T.R. Williams, the principal and owner of TRWConsultant414 LLC, and Camberyn Kelley, the weekend anchor for WMTV 15 news, were the emcees of the Eras Ball and recounted to the crowd the history of the host organization, which was once called the African American Black Business Association (AABBA), and would later become the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce in 2013.

“In those early startup days, the Chamber was fueled almost entirely by volunteers, no operational revenue, no paid staff, just belief in the mission and in the power of Black entrepreneurship,” Kelley explained. “Even with limited resources, the Chamber became an innovator — the first Black Business Expo, the first Black Restaurant Week, business boot camps, Black Business directories — all built with passion or community commitment.”

Over the years, Williams added, the Chamber began shaping a unified voice for Black entrepreneurs, events and programs which created visibility, strength and partnerships while building momentum. In 2024, the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce became a fixture in the Black Business Hub, a vibrant center dedicated to fostering the growth and success of Black-owned businesses.

“Now we’re in 2026, a decade of impact and transformation. What began as a renewed vision has grown into a stronger network, deeper impact and clearer future. Tonight, we celebrate a decade of growth, resilience and community wealth,” Williams said. “The next decade begins tonight with the people in this room, with the investments made here, and the belief that Black-owned businesses are essential to the economic future.”

Also at the event, the Honorable Rev. Everett Mitchell gave the invocation and the blessing of the meal. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was performed by the WYSO Music Makers. State Rep. Shelia Stubbs, the first African American elected to the Wisconsin State Legislature from Dane County, gave special remarks at the event.

“The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce has built lasting partnerships with the state of Wisconsin, community organizations, and investors to ensure that Black-owned businesses not only survive, but they flourish,” Stubbs told the crowd. “As a former Dane County Board of Supervisor for 16 years, I had the privilege of representing South Madison and investing in the Black Business Hub and the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, both located in the heart of South Madison. On the state level, I am proud to represent and report that Governor Tony Evers administration has invested over $115 million in support of minority-owned businesses.”

Stubbs went on to say that the state of Wisconsin has also been a proud partner with the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce, and has invested more than $3 million in the Chamber.

“I am also honored to share that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has awarded more than 3,400 grants to minority-owned businesses through the Main Street Bounce Back program. Yes, many of you were recipients. There is an incredible ripple effect that occurs when advocates, community organizations and government partners together to champion Black businesses,” Stubbs said. “The dollars that we invest today into the barbershop down the street, the neighbors’ catering services or the local Black-owned bookstore mean economic growth, family-sustaining wages and wealth building for members in our community tomorrow.”

Stubbs praised all of the Black business owners and entrepreneurs in the crowd and those who came before.

“We stand on the shoulders of our ancestors, and in turn, the next generation of Black entrepreneurs, innovators and executives will stand on ours,” she said. “Our legacy today is not just measured in the milestones and quarterly reports, it’s measured by the impacts that we invest in our lives and we invest in others. When we invest in Black business, we invest in stronger communities, stronger families and a stronger business.”

The times have been much tougher for The Chamber lately for a variety of reasons, including national anti-DEI efforts and a lack of continuing federal support. Camille Carter, president and CEO of Madison Black Chamber of Commerce, told the crowd at the Eras Ball that “we want to remember who we are and remember the resiliency of what got us to this point, and then have the courage and the motivation to go forward in this next era,” she said.

“As we go into the next era, I challenge you to now embrace this organization. We’ve made it something valuable. We build relationships. We’ve restored the reputation,” Carter said. “We need excellent volunteers because nobody is getting paid right now. So we’ve got to take this organization and infuse everything we have in order to preserve it. And I ask your support. I ask your support in dollars. I ask your support in partnerships to help maintain this organization.”

After dinner, a “Women of Impact” panel featured Carter, Donna Monroe, owner of Class A Cleaning; Dawn Adams, director of Foster Funeral and Cremation Services; and Myra McNair, CEO of Anesis Therapy. The discussion highlighted how women leaders and entrepreneurs create economic growth, opportunity, and community impact, demonstrating the ripple effect of leadership and investment.

A big highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2026 Black Business Awards, including:

● Lisa M. Peyton, founding CEO & president of The Foundation for Black Women’s
Wellness, was honored with the Community Impact Award, presented to businesses that uplift and inspire Black businesses.

● Keon Hutson, founder and owner of DLK Printing, was honored with the Creative Spark Award, recognizing businesses demonstrating creative solutions to
entrepreneurial challenges.

● Myra Reneé McNair, CEO & owner of Anesis, was honored with the Legacy Builder Award for businesses that create generational impact, expand ownership, and lay foundations that influence the continued growth of Black economic power.

● Jermaine Butler, president of Zenith Hospitality, was presented with the Resilient Pillar Award, honoring businesses exhibiting strategic growth and transforming challenging circumstances into opportunities for success.

● Latonya Jackson-Flynn, CEO of Community Essence Consulting, received the Rising Star Award, honoring new businesses created within the last five years that demonstrate outstanding potential and innovation.

● Dr. Jasmine Zapata, author, mentor, and board-certified pediatrician, was honored with the Social Impact Advocacy Award, recognizing leaders and organizations demonstrating
that entrepreneurial success and community well-being go hand in hand.

● Khadija N., Cozy & Calm, was selected for the Youth Entrepreneurial Award, honoring outstanding young entrepreneurs under the age of 25 demonstrating initiative, innovation, and leadership in building a business.

● The Eagle Award, the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce’s highest honor, is awarded to visionary leaders who “challenge assumptions, transform industries, and expand the
conceptualization of what is possible.” That award went to Michael Johnson, the president
& CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Dane County.

After the award ceremony, music by DJ Fusion kept people dancing through the night.