The Rev. Jessie Jackson, Sr., Founder and President of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, stressed the importance of African Americans demanding that companies receiving their money, return a portion of that money to the African American community.

Roland Martin, journalist and syndicated columnist, addressed the approximately 300 Black chamber and business executives in attendance.

Shelia C. Johnson is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. Her Salamander Hotel & Resorts is located in Middleburg, Virginia, in the heart of Virginia’s horse and wine country. The resort was recognized by USA Today as among the world’s top eight hotel openings in 2013.

Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. Interim President and CEO of the black newspaper’s National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), applauded the relationship between the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. and NNPA.