Procurement
1st Annual Minority Procurement Vendor Registration Fair
November 12th, 2021
Procurement opportunities are a great way to scale and grown minority owned businesses. The federal government and local municipalities collectively spend over $3 Trillion annually purchasing goods and services. Its our goal to help state officials in South Carolina reach their set aside goals and % for minority businesses.
We are proud to announce to kick off our program the 2021 event is sponsored by Senator Tim Scott for US Senate and the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs.
This event is free and features appearances from SC's Only Black Owned Bank Optus Bank, Truist, the USBA, SC SBDC, SHAW AIR FORCE BASE Purchasing, Florence Chamber of Commerce, Sumter City/County Procurement, H.R. Robert Williams Florence-Darlington, & many others.
This is an annual event and the 2021 Fair is hosted by Morris College.
Official Sumter Juneteenth celebration
2nd Annual Celebration June 19-20th , 2022
After a mishap in 2020 when a reference to Black Face was on Sumter's Tourism Facebook page, we developed the Sumter Juneteenth Celebration in 2021 to bring Cultural Awareness to the citizens of Sumter. Sumter's Official 1st Annual Juneteenth Celebration was scaled back due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Explore the real reasons southern blacks ate watermelons & drank red drink, learn about the history of black business in Sumter and what they have contributed to Sumter's community and economy. Explore black owned businesses that are in Sumter today, and attend the Awards Gala to learn which businesses make the most impact in Sumter's black and minority community. Packed with vendors, great food, live entertainment, and an exploration of expression through visual arts.
Proceeds from this fundraising event are used to further the mission of the Sumter Black Chamber of Commerce, to promote an economic balance for all citizens of Sumter.
We thank our Sumter Juneteenth Gala Sponsors for helping us make this possible in 2021, they include; the Sumter County Cultural Commission, Will Brunson Law Firm, Sanders Fine Portraits, TEGrant Consulting, S.O.F.T. & Donations From First Baptist Missionary Church , & Rev. James Blassingame.
Special Support From our Volunteers Kay Diamonds Majorette, & Grammy Winning Professor Herbert Johnson
Youth FINANCIAL literacy program
Youth Summer Camp 2022
In an effort to help close the wealth gap and increase financial literacy within the minority community, the Sumter Black Chamber of Commerce is working to develop a pilot program to address the growing financial & economic issues of the minority community. Although these issues are not specific to Sumter soley, national trends show the national wealth gap to be increasing around the US. This pilot program is a hands on approach to financial literacy training, creating solutions today for a better tomorrow. Our program is being researched and developed with the help of local educators.
Check back periodically as we will update the progress on implementing our pilot program.
Minority Business Incubator Hub
Fall 2022
After extensive studies into the State of Black & Minority Owned Businesses located in Sumter, Clarendon, Lee, Florence, & Darlington S.C. , Sumter Black Chamber of Commerce has developed a plan to mobilize its office into a business incubator hub that helps businesses both inside the office and outside of the space, allowing minority owned businesses to receive the resources to thrive and grow. We truly believe to close the wealth gap minority owned businesses need tools, resources, and support from the moment their ideas are born.
The shared and private office space will provide a new or existing business an affordable way to grow their business in an atmosphere consisting of entrepreneurship. Our virtual office components will help maximize profitability and reach even when one is away from the office. The business incubator hub will be a great way to maximize profits while lowering overhead costs. With shared offices, private suites, lounge area, eating facility, conference room, green space, and more the urban business incubator hub is the perfect solution to accommodate growing small business demands.
Stay tuned for our launch fall 2022
