In February 2023, the Chamber reaffirmed our commitment to furthering economic inclusion in the Greater Philadelphia region when we announced the second year of a program that provides small, minority-owned businesses with access to resources, support, and business connections to grow their enterprises through Chamber membership, made possible with funding provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation. 

Shared Priorities

Wells Fargo’s local community grants support nonprofit organizations aligned with four focus areas: housing access and affordability, financial health, small business and entrepreneurship, and sustainability and climate resilience. Priority is placed on nonprofit programming supporting low- to moderate-income communities, addressing racial and social equity, and accelerating an inclusive economy.  

These core priorities align with the Recharge & Recover PHL aspiration to position the region as a place known for investing in and growing small, Black-, brown-, and locally owned businesses. A related resource, our Inclusive Growth Dashboard, provides metrics on key indicators that support this work and highlights their long-term importance to our regional economy.  

“It’s crucial that we uplift diverse entrepreneurs within our regional business community,” said Chellie Cameron, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. “We’re proud to partner with Wells Fargo to expand access to the resources and growth opportunities that come with Chamber membership among small, minority-owned businesses.” 

The Inaugural Program’s Success

As a proud first-time recipient of this funding, with a deep appreciation of the importance of inclusivity and accessibility at the forefront, the Chamber launched a program to provide Enterprise-level memberships for a full year to at least 25 eligible small, minority-owned businesses in 2022. In its first year, 28 local businesses successfully participated in the program, which provides access to marketing and advertising services; networking and exposure opportunities; education and access to thought leadership; advocacy support at the local, regional, and federal levels; and more.  

In May 2022, the Chamber collaborated with a group of these Enterprise-level members who provided thought leadership in their areas of expertise and highlighted the value they’ve derived from their Chamber membership. With their written contributions reaching over 35,000 readers (over 1.5 times the capacity of the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia), the program’s success gained broad recognition within the Chamber community. 

Growth and Connections in 2023

With the second year of the program currently underway and its momentum steadily increasing, we remain focused on growing the program by providing value. As with any new member, the Chamber team prioritizes their understanding of the tools and resources available to them, ensuring they’re empowered to engage from the get-go to maximize their member benefits. 

Kris Mendoza, Founder and Executive Producer of Maestro Filmworks, noted that “the cost and not really having solid expectations of how to engage with the Chamber” were his most significant barriers to entry prior to joining through the program. His perceptions about Chamber membership have evolved through his experience. 

Connection with other regional professionals is one of the aspects where he’s realized the most value. “I was naturally inclined to give back in some way, both inherently and as a show of gratitude for the opportunity, so I readily signed up for the Pay it Forward program to mentor a young entrepreneur. I knew that from my experience as a minority in the film industry (feeling like a double minority in a room of businesspeople), I would make the most impact on a young person of color in the film industry to pass along learnings from my own career, and so that was my only request in getting involved. To my surprise, the matchmaking process brought me to meet a bright young man whom I have enjoyed mentoring on the aspects of navigating this industry as a minority, and it has made the entire experience and involvement fulfilling and productive,” Mendoza shared. 

He isn’t alone in getting involved. Since February 2023, members of the program have participated in our Pay it Forward; Digital Drawingboard; CEO Access Network; Diverse Procurement Collaborative (DPC); and other Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, among others. Several have expanded their professional networks by connecting to other members they were interested in doing business with through the support of the Chamber’s Business Development and Member Engagement teams. Beyond this, they have engaged in numerous networking opportunities and participated in professional roundtables throughout the year.  

Brigitte Daniel-Corbin, Esq., Chief Executive Officer of Wilco Electronic Systems, Inc., and a program participant, embraced the opportunity to engage with like-minded members through the Chamber’s CEO Access Network. When asked about her experience, she stated, “Thanks to the CEO Access Network, I was perfectly paired with an awesome mentor, Greg Reaves, Founder and Co-Owner of Mosaic Development Partners. Greg’s years and cultivated expertise in real estate development are incomparable. The advice he has given, the suggested strategies he has offered, and his invaluable perspective shared on how to grow our business to complement real estate development have been priceless.” 

Applicant Eligibility

To be considered for the program, businesses must meet the following criteria:  

  • Small, minority-owned business
    • Location in the 11-county Greater Philadelphia region (Bucks, Burlington, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Gloucester, Mercer, Montgomery, New Castle, Philadelphia, or Salem Counties)
    • At least three years of sales history
    • At least $500,000 in gross annual sales revenue
    • At least two full-time employees
    • Provider of goods, services, technology, capital, or resources to create jobs, wealth, and a predictable rate of return to investors and owners 

Looking Ahead

The Chamber remains committed to ensuring small, diverse businesses are part of our plans for regional growth. Through this program, and with our broader Recharge & Recover PHL aspirations in mind, the Wells Fargo Foundation and the Chamber will continue efforts to connect minority entrepreneurs and business owners to opportunities, solutions, and support.