How the Albuquerque Black Chamber of Commerce is Strengthening Underserved Businesses
- Tom Handy
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
I recently sat down over Zoom with Karla Causey, the President and CEO of the Albuquerque Black Chamber of Commerce, to discuss her mission to support Black and underserved businesses. Karla originally retired, but she was encouraged to come out of retirement to help the organization. She stepped back to lead the organization after seeing a vital need in the community. Karla gave herself five years to build a firm foundation for her successor, though some members are urging her to stay longer.
Despite having no prior background in running a chamber of commerce, Karla is currently working 60 to 70 hours a week to ensure the organization achieves its goals. The chamber serves approximately 300 members with an annual membership fee of $100.
Driving Business Success
The primary objective of the chamber is to teach people to fish, providing the tools necessary for long-term business sustainability. They offer a robust suite of services but do not provide legal services.
Key programs they offer include:
Business Development - They help entrepreneurs create websites and develop business plans.
Training and Education - The chamber provides numerous classes and training sessions to help members sharpen their skills.
Financial Assistance - They facilitate microloans through the Nusenda Credit Union and strive to offer grants to businesses every quarter.
Grant Writing - The organization provides members with professional grant-writing services to help them secure funding as funding gets tight.
Networking and Community Impact
Community engagement remains a priority for the organization. They host quarterly networking events, which typically feature a guest speaker to provide insights to members. To ensure inclusivity, they provide sign language services for the deaf community.
The chamber is also expanding its outreach, recently launching a program for seniors. In partnership with AARP, they conduct classes on vital topics such as SNAP benefits and life insurance.
Navigating Challenges
Running a non-profit is never easy, and money remains one of the organization's biggest challenges. Karla and her team actively write grants and have applied for federal funding to cover operating costs. While they do not own a vehicle, they rent one whenever the organization needs to travel.
The business landscape has been difficult for many, as companies have struggled through the long-term effects of COVID-19 and tariffs. Recently, many businesses have faced further instability after losing federal funding, with one business losing 60% of its support overnight following SBA changes. Karla continues to look for ways to rebuild her team and strengthen the chamber’s impact before she eventually returns to her well-earned retirement.
700 4th St NW, Ste A, Albuquerque, NM, United States, 87102
(505) 340-2773