Virginia Black Chamber to host first govcon conference

The founders of the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce decided to provide a venue for Black business owners to learn how to find success with government contracting. 

“We wanted to just bring together all of our business owners or people who are interested in potentially looking into local, state and government contracting,” said Tracey J. Hall, executive vice president of operations at the Fredericksburg-based VABCC. “So, we thought a conference would be a great way to do that.”

Taking place at the Richmond Marriott on April 25, VABCC’s inaugural government contracting conference will include presentations on topics like proposal writing, business financing and marketing and networking techniques.

Scheduled speakers include Ron Busby Sr., president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers; Shekela Hutchinson, founder and CEO of Hutchinson Faithful Enterprises, a Stafford-based consulting, training and business services firm; and William Randolph, founder and CEO of Hampton–based Think Acquisition, a consulting, training and development firm.

The event will include offerings for both those new to government contracting and experienced professionals, according to Hall. 

About 150 people had signed up for the event as of April 17. Hall said the chamber will close registration upon enrolling 200 attendees or on Monday April 22. whichever comes first.  

Hall and her wife, VABCC President and CEO Ernisha M. Hall, run Niray, a Fredericksburg-based website and graphic design business. 

Following the protests about racial justice in 2020, Tracey Hall said, the couple noticed members of the community coming to them to see if they knew a Black-owned business offering one service or another, prompting them to launch the Virginia Black Business Directory the same year. “There was a big push for buying Black,” Hall said. 

Last summer, the pair formed the VABCC as another way to empower and grow Black-owned businesses. The organization has more than 1,100 members. “We still have the directory,” Tracey Hall said. “They work in tandem with one another.” 

On Aug. 2-4, the Halls will host their fifth Virginia Black Business Expo and Conference, a business networking and educational event in Crystal City.  “In excess of about 1,000 to 1,200 people per year come out to shop Black,” Hall said, “so it’s been very successful.”