Dr. Kibuka Gethaiga of Kenya, during his doctoral program at the University of Illinois 2004 helped found the Champaign County Black Chamber of Commerce (CCBCC). Larry Ivory of Peoria Black Chamber of Commerce and Dwight Miller of the Mcdonald franchise Champaign, amongst others, were most helpful. The Champaign Chamber of Commerce also provided support with office facilities where the CCBCCinitially operated from. Dr Kibuka left Zernial Bogan in charge of CCBCC which has continued to thrive.
I am the founder of the Champaign Black Chamber of Commerce. This is how it happened.
In 2004 II was doing my doctoral studies at the University of Illinois. I was interested in providing a link for the business people in Champaign and the Kenyan business community and joined the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce as a member. The Chamber asked me to help bring in other members to broaden diversify. Upon discussion with some business people in the black community it was felt that it would be best to start a Chamber of commerce for the black community in Champaign and for the two Chambers to collaborate.
At the same time Larry Ivory the President of the Peoria Black Chamber of commerce was looking for a way to start a Black Chamber of Commerce in Champaign and requested if i could help.
I brought together some key business people in the black community. We registered the Champaign County Black Chamber of Commerce ( CCBCC) and created a website. Dwight Miller of the McDonald’s franchise was particularly helpful. The Champaign Chamber of Commerce where I continued to be a member also gave us the CCBCC office space where we initially ooerated from and necessary stationery and computer services. I ran the CCBCC on voluntary basis.When I moved from Champaign I left the Chamber under Mr. Zernial Bogan.