Founding Business Member
For businesses, firms and organizations.
Indicative contribution
To Be Determined
Recognition
Founding Members
Founding Members receive permanent recognition as Founders of the African-California Chamber of Commerce, in its launch materials, on this website and in its official history.
Founding Class
The Founding Member roll
Distinguished civic, business and trade leaders have accepted the Chamber's invitation during the organizing period. Titles and affiliations are updated from the September 2026 directory.
Barbara Lee
California & Local Government Leaders
Mayor of the City of Oakland, California; former longtime U.S. Congresswoman representing Oakland
Jonathan Mayes
Corporate Executives
Former SVP & Chief Diversity/Inclusion Officer, Albertsons Companies
Myles Stevens, AIA, RILA
Architecture, Real Estate & Infrastructure Development
President, Stevens + Associates; architect, urban planner and landscape architect
Philip Father
Mining, Minerals & Natural Resources
Founder & CEO, Scepter, Inc.; former CEO of ProtoStar Ltd.
Elihu Harris, Esq.
California & Local Government Leaders
Former Mayor of Oakland and Chancellor of College System, Oakland
Kassongo Bin Nassor
Mining, Minerals & Natural Resources
President of the "FEC" Chamber of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Bonny Nyaga, MSc., P.E.
California & Local Government Leaders
International Policy Advisor, California State Transportation Agency ("CalSTA")
Jerold O'Brien
Agriculture & Wine
Founder & CEO, Silver Mountain Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains
Flavio Ammaral
Mining, Minerals & Natural Resources
Executive Vice President, Blue Quest Resources
Célestin Kibeya Kabemba
Mining, Minerals & Natural Resources
Director General of COMINIERE
Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown
Civic, Philanthropic & Faith Leaders
Pastor Emeritus; civil-rights leader, longtime NAACP leader and former Freedom Rider
José Luis Cham Sabuera
Central African Business & Trade Councils
President, High Business Council of the ECCAS in Equatorial Guinea; CEO, Eagles Brothers Corporation Ltd
John Harman
Chambers of Commerce, United States of America
Board of Directors, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington, DC
Charles DeBow
Chambers of Commerce, United States of America
President, National Black Chamber of Commerce, Washington, DC
Jay King
Chambers of Commerce, United States of America
President, California Black Chamber of Commerce
Rodney Fong
Chambers of Commerce, United States of America
President, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Helena Jones Kim
Chambers of Commerce, United States of America
Chair, Board of Directors, San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce
Cathy Adams
Chambers of Commerce, United States of America
President, Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce
Gene Hale
Chambers of Commerce, United States of America
President, Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce
Zeke Patton
Chambers of Commerce, United States of America
Executive Vice President, Black Business Association of Los Angeles
Thiery Tohouenou
Diaspora & International Business Development
West Africa Region Manager, Amadeus International; General Secretary, Benin Diaspora USA/California
Founding Membership carries no financial contribution, no binding commitments and no future obligations of any kind. It is an honorary designation of recognition and early partnership.
Participation
Founding Member tiers
Founding Membership is open only during the organizing period, before the public launch on October 1, 2026.
Founding Individual Member
For entrepreneurs and professionals.
Indicative contribution
To Be Determined
Founding Patron
For lead donors and anchor sponsors.
Indicative contribution
To Be Determined
Founding Member — By Invitation
For distinguished civic, cultural or public leaders.
Indicative contribution
In-kind / By Invitation