How the African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE continues to pave the way 33 years later
About the AACC
Founded in 1993, the African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE (AACC) was born out of a burning need to innovate. After decades of persistent discrimination in contracting opportunities with the City of Philadelphia, the local contractor’s association came together to file a lawsuit against the city. They sought to gain equal access to opportunities for Black entrepreneurs at a time when none were in reach. Today, the AACC is known as the leading organization advancing access to opportunities, networks and capital for the Philadelphia region’s Black business ecosystem. The Chamber continues to lead the way and inspire others through innovative programming, public-private partnerships, and one-on-one coaching programs to ensure members and Black businesses are set up for success.
Black-owned founders often come from humble beginnings and are not independently wealthy or backed by huge funds. Many live in historically underserved communities with a limited set of resources to pull from. That’s where the AACC comes in. The Chamber exists to remove the structural and institutional disadvantages that far too many Black entrepreneurs face. The AACC helps businesses navigate these challenges and provides support to business owners who may need assistance sourcing capital, staying compliant, or mastering the day-to-day of running a successful business.
Regina A. Hairston, AACC president and CEO, often compares the Chamber to a highway system. “You pay your toll, which is your membership, you tell us where you want to go, and we tell you what exit to get on,” she said. “The Chamber stands in the gap as a solution to the challenges so many businesses in our region are facing. Just like a highway system, if there are potholes, we’re the ones who come in and make sure they get filled. It’s us removing those barriers, not only for our members, but for our entire business ecosystem.”
Post-COVID-19: A New Era
When Regina began her role as president and CEO of the African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA., NJ & DE in December 2020, she was presented with several unique challenges to overcome: the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the aftermath of civil unrest, and the near collapse of the region’s Black-business ecosystem. Between March 2020 and July 2020, U.S. Census Bureau data showed that the number of active Black-business owners in Philadelphia fell by 68 percent. Survey data from H&R Block also found that more than half of Philadelphia’s Black business owners reported experiencing a 50 percent decline in revenue in 2020. Black-owed businesses are the economic engines that keep Black communities and the entire Philadelphia region moving forward. However, when faced with economic and public health crises, Black communities are almost always disproportionately impacted. Despite experiencing rapid closures and revenue loss at much higher rates than their white counterparts, throughout the pandemic, many Black businesses owners were denied access to federal programs aimed at providing relief.
Regina knew she had to reimagine the Chamber’s role in how it supported its members and the entire business community. She combined her unique expertise as a seasoned strategist and former lobbyist with her unwavering commitment to service to champion Black business success across the region. The Chamber’s immediate goals were shifted towards advocating for increased access to capital, guidance, and community recovery strategies. There was an immediate need to reassess where the Black business community was after the onset of pandemic. To gain this understanding, the AACC hosted several listening tours and conducted qualitative surveys to determine the state of Black businesses across the region and what the most appropriate next steps would be.
From this data, the Chamber has launched several signature programs and initiatives aimed at leveling the economic playing field and ensuring that Black entrepreneurs have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. These programs include the National Convening of Black Mayors, the Black Business Month Expo, the Women’s Business Luncheon and Accelerator Program, the Invest in Black Philly initiative, the Capital Consortium Program, the Impact 10: Leaders and Legacy Program, and more. Under Regina’s leadership, the AACC hosted former President Joe Biden in Delaware to advocate on behalf of the region’s Black business community; successfully advocated for the reduction of Philadelphia’s Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT) and other financial burdens local businesses face that hinder growth; and established partnerships with corporate giants such as TD Bank, JP Morgan Chase, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Comcast.
The ongoing efforts of the AACC have produced results: the Greater Philadelphia region was recently ranked among the top 10 metro areas with the largest increase in Black-owned employer firms. Between 2017 and 2022, the number of Black-owned employer businesses in the Greater Philadelphia region grew by more than 71 percent. Additionally, since 2020, the Chamber has significantly increased its engagement with Millennial business owners. This work earned the AACC the US Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) 2025 “Chamber of the Year” award among several other honors.
Innovation Through Economic Participation
Philadelphia’s innovation story is often told through its universities, research institutions, and emerging technologies. But innovation also takes place in how a region builds the economic systems that allow businesses to participate and grow. Black-owned businesses have long been part of Philadelphia’s economic foundation. They create jobs, deliver services, invest in neighborhoods, and contribute to the vitality of the region’s economy. Yet many capable businesses have historically operated outside the networks where the largest economic opportunities are created. The AACC’s work over the past several years has focused on strengthening those connections.
The Chamber believes that innovation is not limited to new technologies or emerging industries – it also involves modernizing the pathways that connect entrepreneurs to capital, procurement opportunities, and the professional networks that drive business growth. Philadelphia is entering an exciting period of economic activity. Large-scale development projects, major events, and regional initiatives tied to Philadelphia’s future growth will generate significant investment and business opportunity across the region. There is an unique opportunity for the Black business ecosystem to ensure that the region’s full business community is positioned to participate.
Through strategic partnerships with corporations, financial institutions, and anchor institutions, the Chamber works to connect Black-owned businesses directly to the economic engines of the region. This includes helping businesses prepare for procurement opportunities, strengthening relationships with financial partners, and expanding access to networks where opportunity begins. This work is not simply about representation. It is about economic competitiveness.
This includes the partnership with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Comcast Spectacor to support businesses in the food service industry as they seek to compete for opportunities at the new Philadelphia sports area that is slated to open in 2030. In a November 2024 study commissioned by the AACC and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the Chamber identified systemic barriers, the necessary support systems, and market opportunities needed for Black-owned businesses to secure concessionaire, vendor, and supplier contracts.
In 2025, the Chamber launched its “2026 Is For All of Us” campaign. The campaign was created to ensure that Black-owned businesses across the Greater Philadelphia region are informed of, connected to, and properly prepared to compete for the countless business opportunities throughout 2026, including signature events from the FIFA World Cup to America’s 250th birthday celebration. As the AACC looks to the future, the organization is moving past participation as an indicator of success – they are reaffirming their commitment to driving inclusive economic growth for Black entrepreneurs.
“Regions that fully engage their entrepreneurial talent build stronger supply chains, create more resilient local economies, and generate broader innovation across industries,” said Hairston. “Philadelphia has long been a city of builders – of institutions, industries, and ideas. The next phase of innovation will depend on how effectively the entrepreneurs already contributing to the regional economy are connected to the opportunities that will shape the next decade of growth. When more businesses are able to compete and scale, the entire regional economy becomes stronger.”
