KeyBank Foundation Impact Grant will provide Albany Black
Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) $200,000
to help ABCC build a more vital, sustainable organization to serve
its members and the community
ALBANY,
N.Y., Nov. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --
The Albany Black Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) announced an award
of $200,000 in grant funding from the
KeyBank Foundation. The grant will support capacity-building
initiatives that help grow and serve the Capital Region community,
and support ABCC's mission of facilitating economic upliftment by
implementing a one-stop shop of resources, networking, and
workshops to advance and empower black and minority-owned
businesses and achieve greater economic prosperity in the Greater
Capital Region.
ABCC CEO Deshanna C. Wiggins
said, "With the generous grant of $200,000 from the KeyBank Foundation, the Albany
Black Chamber of Commerce is poised to take our mission to the next
level. This funding will allow us to expand our capacity-building
initiatives, enhance our programming, and provide essential support
for operating expenses. As we grow, our vision of becoming the
ultimate hub for business growth and innovation in the Capital
Region is becoming a reality. We are committed to facilitating
economic advancement, empowering Black and minority-owned
businesses, and fostering greater economic prosperity in our
community. We are deeply grateful for KeyBank's support, and we
look forward to making a lasting difference in the lives of
entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives throughout the
Greater Capital Region."
From business training and education programs to advocacy,
advisory services, networking events, marketing opportunities,
mentoring, and business referrals, ABCC offers a comprehensive
range of resources to support their members' business growth and
success. Their current program offerings encompass business
planning, financial management, human resources, marketing, and
advertising, as well as taxes and accounting.
Its headquarters serves as a space where members can gather and
socialize offering office space for co-working and conferences, a
commercial kitchen for dining, and a bowling alley to meet its
members' business and social needs and attract national private
sector business talent to the region. This award of $200,000 from the KeyBank Foundation will fund
capacity-building initiatives, programming support, and operating
expenses as it flourishes into the ultimate hub for business growth
and innovation in the Capital Region.
"The work that the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce does lifts
our entire community by giving entrepreneurs, business owners, and
executives the support they need to grow and succeed," said
Fran O'Rourke, KeyBank Capital
Region Market President. "All of us at KeyBank are proud to support
their work to advocate for and expand the economic footprint of
Black and minority-owned businesses throughout the Capital
Region."
The KeyBank Foundation recognizes that in order to make a
lasting difference, it must lift and prioritize funding for
organizations that are engaging with community members and
community leaders to take action based on existing needs. Grants
are awarded to organizations that embrace diversity, equity, and
inclusion and create a culture where these values are fostered
through board members, staff, and the communities they serve. The
Foundation invests in organizations that design innovative
programming and approaches to solving community needs, motivate and
enable people to make sound financial decisions, create measurable
improvements in quality of life, and maintain positive change over
time for lasting transformational outcomes.
"The Albany Black Chamber of Commerce plays a pivotal role in
our community by fostering an equitable and inclusive business
environment for Black and minority-led businesses in Albany and the surrounding areas,"
Tamika Otis, KeyBank Capital Region
Corporate Responsibility Officer said. "Both KeyBank and the Albany
Black Chamber of Commerce are steadfast in our shared commitment to
promoting equity in every facet of our initiatives."
ABOUT THE ALBANY BLACK
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The newly formed Albany Black Chamber of
Commerce will play a vital role in establishing equitable business
opportunities for the BIPOC communities of Albany and the surrounding areas. In
partnership with Business for Good, ABCC will provide innovative
programs and opportunities in their new home, the historic
University Club. To learn more, visit:
www.albanyblackchamber.org.
ABOUT KEYBANK
KeyBank's roots trace back nearly 200
years to Albany, New York.
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio,
KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) is one of the nation's largest bank-based
financial services companies, with assets of approximately
$188 billion. Key provides deposit,
lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals
and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National
Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and
approximately 1,300 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of
sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as
merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity,
syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected
industries throughout the United
States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For
more information, visit www.key.com. KeyBank is Member FDIC.
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SOURCE KeyCorp
