Community celebration to be hosted by NEBCC

Date: 9/22/2009

SPRINGFIELD On Sept. 30 the New England Black Chamber of Commerce presents the third annual Community Celebration of Collaboration for Economic Development at the Basillica, 339 State St., starting at 5:30 p.m.

We celebrate the success of the past with the founder Aimee Griffin Munnings as she moves on to join the National Children's Center in Washington, D.C., as its general counsel and look forward to the future with interim executive director Maegan Brooks. The New England Black Chamber has supported more than 500 individuals with business planning, training and access to capital.

Munnings initiated the chamber to initiate an awareness of economic development to transform the region. She has started something that will continue to impact the city of Springfield and the region. The New England Black Chamber of Commerce has a commitment to provide service and support to those who have not traditionally had access. Munnings has been willing to push the hard conversations about the economic impact of institutional racism especially in the city with demographics with a majority of people of color. While she leaves the city the issue still persists.

Brooks has accepted the mission and challenge to direct the chamber to the next level. As the president of the Friends of the Chamber organization, Brooks has been instrumental in expanding the footprint of the chamber. Brooks will coordinate a strategic planning session to move the chamber to the next level.

Munnings, who was born in Springfield, has made contributions to the city of Springfield as the director of the Western New England College Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship in addition to serving on 10 local and national boards for economic development and community service.

For information about tickets and sponsorships, call 731-6444 or send an e-mail to info@neblackchamber.org.