The African American Business Leaders Council

02/20/2026

✨ We are thrilled to highlight Ngozi Bell as a panelist for International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 5 at the Renaissance Allentown Hotel!

Ngozi Bell, a TEDx speaker, has a track record of 25+ years as an accomplished business executive with multidisciplinary experience in both public and private sectors. Her private sector experience includes telecommunications, data processing and semiconductor engineering. She also has Venture Capital and Private Equity investment and portfolio management experience in Fintech, Biotech, aggrotech, and diverse technological innovations. Ngozi served as Vice President at Birchmere Ventures, Partner at Trans Sahara Investment Corporation, and held senior roles in AT&T and its derivative technology spinouts. Bell has worked routinely with companies developing solutions that use novel technologies in Artificial Intelligence, iDLT, BCI, continuous advanced manufacturing, thermography, and other STEM fields. Between 2010 and 2017, Bell was appointed by the Obama administration, to advance the views, concerns and interests of small business to congress, federal agencies and the Whitehouse. Between 2023 and January 2025, Bell was again appointed by the Biden administration to represent the views of small businesses in the Mid-Atlantic region. She is an angel investor and the Founder of Horizons Global LLC a Global Trade and Clinical Trials Support Enterprise and Women's History Month - Rising Together a platform raising and cultivating female excellence.

Learn from Ngozi during this inspirational afternoon! Tickets are $50 per person. Register here: https://bit.ly/4pgdhmX
- Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FLx7WXx1C/
- LinkedIn event page: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7423037076570378242/?viewAsMember=true

02/20/2026

📢 New Grant Opportunity!
Wish Local is a series of programs that allows small businesses to partner with Wish. Wish is dedicating a $2M dollar fund to give roughly 4,000 Wish Local small business partners financial support. The selected recipients will receive amounts between $500 - $2000. This program is only open to Black-owned stores, to help promote equality and diversity in American business.

To be eligible, you must fall under all of the categories listed below:
▪️ You have a Black-owned business
▪️ You are 18+ years of age
▪️ Your store has 20 or fewer employees
▪️ Your store is a brick-and-mortar shop within the United States
▪️ Your store earns an average annual revenue under $1M
▪️ If selected for the program, you must join Wish Local

To apply, please visit https://www.wish.com/local/empowerment?hide_login_modal=true.

02/18/2026

✨ We are thrilled to highlight Soledad Alfaro as a panelist for International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 5 at the Renaissance Allentown Hotel!

Soledad Alfaro is an accomplished leader and problem-solver, serving as Chief Operating Officer at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. She plays a key role in advancing the Chamber’s mission to drive economic growth, create inclusive opportunities, and foster a more competitive business environment in the region. With a strategic mindset and a talent for building impactful systems, she spurs collaboration and operational efficiency. Prior to this role, she held leadership positions at the Surge Institute, Philadelphia International Airport, and Mastery Schools, where she honed her expertise in strategy, operations, and organizational development. Her proven track record of centering people, streamlining operations, and driving meaningful change continues to elevate the Chamber’s work in the region.

Learn from Soledad during this impactful afternoon! Tickets are $50 per person. Register here: https://bit.ly/4pgdhmX
- Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FLx7WXx1C/
- LinkedIn event page: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7423037076570378242/?viewAsMember=true

02/17/2026

Support and shop local all month long (and beyond)! You can visit our website to view the full Black Owned Business List to support our community 🫶🏽🫶🏾🫶🏿

PLUS you can add your business to the list by visiting https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/black-owned-businesses.html

02/16/2026

Our Black History Month Celebration with Lehigh Valley Public Media at PBS39 was truly a testament to our history and to the strength and resilience of our community. We had the honor of supporting several local Black-owned businesses, listening to incredible performances, watching the preview of Lehigh Valley Public Media’s "Echoes of Freedom,” and reflecting during the spectacular panel discussion on the film. We’re deeply grateful to our attendees, sponsors, and event partners for making this a meaningful celebration that will stay with us far beyond this month 🖤

02/13/2026

“Always remember Black history is AMERICAN history.” - Todo Chido Podcast

Check out this video from Todo Chido Podcast or visit https://www.tiktok.com//video/7603445167730724109?_r=1&_t=ZT-93te4Edfgrd

727.8K likes, 2799 comments. “Always remember Black history is AMERICAN history.”

02/12/2026

We are thrilled to share that the following women will be featured at our International Women’s Day celebration! This remarkable group embodies the spirit of leadership, empowerment, and community that International Women’s Day represents.

Panelists:
✨ Soledad Alfaro, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
✨ Ngozi Bell, Trans Sahara Investment Corporation
✨ Kena Colon, Acadia Pharmaceuticals
✨ Corinne Goodwin, Eastern PA Trans Equity Project
✨ Thuy Taitt, Air Products

Moderated by:
✨ Indira Alvarado, student at Lehigh University

Join us on Thursday, March 5 as we celebrate, connect, and champion equality together! Tickets are $50 per person. Register here: https://bit.ly/4pgdhmX
- Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1H997WNA3b/
- LinkedIn event page: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7423037076570378242?viewAsMember=true

02/11/2026

Keela Vincent, AABLC Chair, has been named one of The Morning Call’s most influential people in the Lehigh Valley for 2026! Honorees are comprised of people in the Lehigh Valley who make it an incredible place to live and work.

🎉 Congratulations to Keela and all of the honorees!

Read the full article here: https://www.mcall.com/2026/02/04/lehigh-valley-most-influential-people-2026/?share=ngpiatnse42tw6llmull

We asked for nominations for the Lehigh Valley’s most influential people, and you responded. See who made the list.

02/10/2026

As part of our mission to advance economic empowerment and celebrate excellence in the African American business community, we are proud to offer two scholarship opportunities, both of which honor the legacies of Sharon Fraser, Jessica Lee, Cheryl Watts, and Selina Wi******er:

✨ Merit Scholarship - For outstanding African American high school seniors who demonstrate academic achievement, a commitment to learning, and community service as they pursue higher education.
✨ Life Long Learner Scholarship - For African American adult learners who graduated high school at least one year ago and are continuing their educational journey with the same dedication to learning, achievement, and service.

📅 Deadline to apply is Friday, March 13, 2026
***Recipients will be notified in April and recognized in person at the Sneaker Ball on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Homewood Suites in Center Valley

🎓 Complete your application by visiting https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/scholarships.html

02/02/2026

February is Black History Month! The ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History’s 2026 Black History Month theme is A Century of Black History Commemorations.

This tradition began with Dr. Carter G. Woodson and fellow founders of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in 1915. In 1925, Woodson launched Negro History Week and later expanded into Black History Month, which grew into a major cultural institution in the U.S. and around the world. For a century, these celebrations have highlighted the achievements, struggles, and cultural contributions of people of African descent. Since gaining federal recognition in 1976 it has become deeply woven into American culture and community life.

🖤 Please join us in taking time this month to reflect on, celebrate, and honor the profound contributions of Black Americans throughout history and today.

01/30/2026

✨ When women thrive, we all rise ✨
Join the The African American Business Leaders Council, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Greater Lehigh Valley, and Women's Business Council Lehigh Valley to celebrate International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Renaissance Allentown! Together, we’ll honor the achievements of women and continue the call for equality, empowerment, and progress.

Join us as we celebrate, connect, and champion equality together! Tickets are $50 per person. Register here: https://bit.ly/4pgdhmX
- Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1H997WNA3b/
- LinkedIn event page: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7423037076570378242?viewAsMember=true

01/28/2026

⏱️ Last week, we hosted Speed Networking Night at Artisan Wine & Cheese Cellars, which was full of great conversations and new connections! Thank you to our co-facilitators, Dr. Jeff Bullock and Brenda Robinson, and our attendees for bringing the best energy to the room.

Stay connected with us on all of our social media platforms to get updates on our next speed networking event!