Regional Cal Black Chamber SFV Celebrates 19th Business Expo

The Regional Black Cal Black Chamber San Fernando Valley (SFV) honors local entrepreneurs at 19th Business Summit and Expo. President MC Townsend (2nd Left) is pictured with honorees Kevin Harbour, LaRita Shelby and James Brady. Photo courtesy of Regional Chamber SFV 2023

*The Regional Black Cal Black Chamber San Fernando Valley (SFV) honors local entrepreneurs at the 19th Business Summit and Expo.

Chamber President MC Townsend hosted a stellar event along with United Community Partners.

The event was held at the Anheuser-Busch Corporate Showroom and Garden in Van Nuys, California.

Sr. General Manager Eric Gutierrez welcomed the chamber invitees. Opening remarks were given by California Secretary of State Shirley Webber and the effervescent MC Townsend.

The 19^th Small Business Summit and Expo featured speakers and round table presentations on all things business.

MC Townsend, President Regional Cal Black Chamber SFV poses with guests and honorees at 19th Biz Expo and Summit. Photo courtesy of Regional Black Chamber SFV 2023 — MC Townsend, President Regional Cal Black Chamber SFV poses with guests and honorees at the 19th Biz Expo and Summit. Photo courtesy of Regional Black Chamber SFV 2023

Presenters included LaRita Shelby (VP of EURweb.com and owner of SB Music, Media & Marketing), James Brady (President & CEO of MoringaTang), and Kevin Harbour, Sr. (President of BizFed Institute).

Surprise honors were bestowed upon LaRita Shelby, James Brady, and Kevin Harbour, Sr. Each received Special Recognition from the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from U. S. Congressman 29^th District Tony Cardenas, and an Outstanding Leadership Award from the Regional Chamber SFV.

Regional Cal Black Chamber SFV 19th Summit. Linda Platt, Eric Gutierrez (Anheuser-Busch) & colleague, MC Townsend (President), Aaron Akins and LaRita Shelby. Photo: Courtesy Regional Chamber SFV

MC Townsend: “LaRita ‘Jazzy Rita’ Shelby, influential executive, VP Business development EURweb, producer, writer, actress, & distinguished speaker joined us on the RCBCC Chamber opening Leadership Panel. We were thrilled to bring Ms. Shelby, James Brady, and Kevin Harbour together with some of the best movement leaders in the industry, including Anhueser-Busch, Edison, Charter Communications, DGS, CA Secretary of State, & many others for this high-level business session. LaRita has been a long-standing united community advocate to the many underserved communities in the region.”

EURweb's LaRita Shelby received Congressional Recognition from Congressman Tony Cardenas. Deputy District Director Osvaldo Ramirez presented the award at the Regional Cal Black Chamber SFV event June 15, 2023. — EURweb’s LaRita Shelby received Congressional Recognition from Congressman Tony Cardenas. Deputy District Director Osvaldo Ramirez presented the award at the Regional Cal Black Chamber SFV event June 15, 2023.

Other panelists at the Regional Black Chamber of Commerce SFV event included: Victor Fakrogha (Community West Bank), Karen A. Clark (City National Bank), Delphine Pruitt (US Bank), Candace Vick (All You Need Accounting), Dennis Thurston (So Cal Edison), Danetta Jackson (California Department of General Services), Martin Guerrero (Square) and Kenneth Crawford (U. S. Small Business Administration). The guest moderator was Kevin Michael Caliup (New York Life).

MC Townsend: “At the summit, dozens of small businesses from every part of the city came together to participate in a high-level strategy conversation and skill-based discussions, which often cause ripples in the world for small businesses. This reflects on some of our most impactful topics for growth and empowerment for small businesses. All of this took place at the 19th annual Small Business Summit & Expo.”

A special Juneteenth Luncheon was favored with exquisite delicacies from Chef Roxanne Wilson and Happy Insides Catering, accentuated by the soulful sounds of Aaron Akins. The spirited and classy affair was well attended, and purpose driven. President Townsend reinforced that the mission of the chamber is to turn contacts into contracts. Scholarship awards were also granted to Alexis Johnson, Charisma Collins, and Sanai Montgomery, who are all students of the San Fernando Valley in California.

The mission of the Regional Cal Black Chamber of Commerce is to raise the professional profile of minority, small, emerging, and women-owned businesses. For more information or to join the Regional Cal Black Chamber of SFV click here.