Dear Members, Organizational Affiliates--Friends and supporters of the California Black Chamber of Commerce & Chamber Foundation

If the statement, 'critical situations create the greatest opportunity,' then we are in the most opportune time in American history for small and minority owned businesses.

It is a time, which shreds away layers of weakness and incompetence and highly rewards progressive thought, fresh ideas and the full utilization of all the tools at our disposal.

No set of tools standout more then the reapplication of our minds and the full use of technology.

It is with this thought in mind that we chose the 2009 Business Summit to be held in the Silicon Valley with the theme being "Plug Into Technology For Business Growth And Success".

Workshops forums and a professional business setting provide the vehicles to allow you to share best practices, new procedures and network with those persons available to advance your business.

Lastly, the value of creating and nurturing relationships/strategic alliances can never be over emphasized, because in spite of all else, people still do business with people they know and trust.

Therefore, I encourage you to be part of this exciting new movement called the California Black Chamber- that's improving communities and growing businesses.

Aubry L. Stone
President/CEO
California Commissioner for Economic Development