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Minority chambers of commerce unite to expand partnership, sign memorandum of understanding

Fairfax County, Virginia – Three chambers of commerce with long histories of commitment to encouraging and sustaining minority-owned businesses in Fairfax County joined today in reinforcing that commitment by signing an expanded Memorandum of Understanding at Fairfax County Economic Development Authority headquarters in Tysons Corner.

The Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce and Virginia Hispanic Chamber created a collaborative partnership to be known as the Multi-Cultural Chambers Alliance (MCCA).

In signing the MOU, the AACC, NVBCC and VHC demonstrated a commitment to the growth and development of diversely-owned businesses in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, to build sustainable minority-owned businesses, encourage the utilization of minority-owned businesses, create opportunities to collaborate, and maximize the coordination and effectiveness of their collective political influence.

Through this MOU, the AACC, NVBCC and VHC specifically agreed that:

  •     Each chamber will provide public recognition of its collaborative efforts with the other organizations, and cross-promote their activities and events, as appropriate.
  •     The MCCA will collaborate on organizing, presenting and hosting joint events.
  •     The MCCA will exchange information on economic, legislative and political matters.

“The signing of this extension to the MOU for the Multi-Cultural Chamber Alliance is historic,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the FCEDA.

“The coming together of the three chambers involved represents all that America and this community stand for. The collaboration and collegiality of these three cultural and racial business groups represents enormous opportunity for its members and for the business community at large as they further bring their component companies into the economic mainstream.”

Signing the document were Cindy Shao, president, Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Corey Holeman, chairman, Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce, and Michel Zajur, president and CEO, Virginia Hispanic Chamber.

Time magazine called Fairfax County “one of the great economic success stories of our time.” Business growth and innovation helps Fairfax County fund one of the nation’s most prestigious school systems and other public services that contribute to the quality of life of residents. Fairfax County offers businesses a state-of-the-art infrastructure, access to global markets through Washington Dulles International Airport, a vibrant investment capital community and a highly skilled and well-educated workforce.

The award-winning Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains marketing offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv. Follow the FCEDA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.