Featured Cause: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
At the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCEC), we believe that a truly thriving business ecosystem is one that reflects the full spectrum of talent, backgrounds, and ideas within our community.
Through our DEI initiative, we champion:
- Diversity – increasing representation of Black- and other historically under-represented entrepreneurs, professionals, and business owners in Colorado’s economy.
- Equity – ensuring fair access to capital, contracts, mentorship, and networks so that no talented entrepreneur is held back by structural or systemic barriers.
- Inclusion – building a business environment in which every voice is heard, every culture respected, and every perspective leveraged for innovation and growth.
Why this cause matters
- Businesses led by diverse teams are shown to bring new ideas, reach new markets, and perform better overall.
- Equity opens doors for entrepreneurs who historically have been excluded, helping to close racial wealth-gaps and boost economic resilience in our communities.
- Inclusion fosters stronger networks, collaboration, and trust — which means more businesses working across traditional boundaries, and more opportunities for all.
CBCEC’s role and action plan
- We offer DEI-focused workshops, peer-learning groups, and resources to help business owners and corporate partners understand how to embed diversity and equity into their practices.
- We advocate for equitable procurement policies, connecting under-represented business owners with contract opportunities, suppliers, and decision-makers.
- We collect and share data and stories that illustrate what’s working — shining light on both progress and gaps, so we can continuously improve together.
- We partner with corporations, governmental agencies, and non-profits who are committed to measurable DEI goals, helping to ensure that their supplier-diversity, hiring, and advancement practices align with inclusive growth.
Call to action
- Business owners: Join CBCEC’s DEI-programming and connect with a network committed to equity in business.
- Corporations & Organizations: Partner with CBCEC to enhance your supplier diversity, mentorship programs, and inclusive business ecosystems.
- Community & Supporters: Stay engaged — by advocating for inclusive policies, volunteering in mentorship or supplier-diversity efforts, and spreading the word that business equity is economic justice.