May 2, 2025

 

Good Day, SFAACC Family and Business Community, 

 

Thank you for your phone calls, messages, and continued support as I take on the role of President & CEO of the San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce. Your encouragement means the world to me.

 

In times like these, where uncertainty fills the air, it is best to stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize. I want to give you words of encouragement: keep the noise out. Use this time to reevaluate how you need to stay present—not only to maintain your current business relationships but also to expand your territory.

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I have done so with this new role. It hasn't even been 100 days, but it's been a ride, to say the least. There is important work ahead to strengthen our internal operations and ensure SFAACC's long-term sustainability. As a small business owner myself, I know firsthand how demanding it can be to balance multiple roles. Yes, my time is now split between running my company and leading the Chamber—but please rest assured, I'm assembling a trusted team of experts to help guide this transition and carry our mission forward. It will take time and resources, but I remain fully committed.

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And I'm not discouraged—and neither should you be. We are entrepreneurs. We are resilient. We have faced uncertainty before, and we're still here. We've weathered storms, adapted, and grown stronger through it all.

 

I encourage you to stay focused and intentional. Don't waste energy—invest it in building your business. Push yourself—not out of fear, but because you deserve to grow both personally and professionally. Minimize distractions. Let go of what doesn't serve you. Take a day to tackle that paperwork stack. No one wants to spend weekends working, but organizing and clearing your workspace is part of effective time management. Prioritize your peace—and your progress.

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In the coming weeks, I'll be setting aside dedicated time for members to connect with me directly. These conversations will give you space to share feedback, discuss your business journey, and explore how SFAACC can better support you. Let's talk honestly about the challenges and the wins—and create meaningful solutions together.

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I'm also thrilled to share that two of our SFAACC members, Elaine Redus and Jason Matthews, will be leading workshops during San Francisco Small Business Week on Wednesday, May 7. Elaine's workshop will begin at 11:00 AM, and Jason will follow at 1:00 PM. These sessions are prime opportunities to gain practical insights and support Black business leadership in action.

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As part of our commitment to visibility and celebration, we are proud to be part of an exciting lineup of Juneteenth events in San Francisco. For the first time, we are leveraging the presence of African Americans in the city with a Juneteenth Kickoff Celebration at San Francisco City Hall on June 13th, hosted by The San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco Black Wall Street, and the San Francisco Chapter of the NAACP. One of our valued SFAACC members will also host an International Fashion Show on June 15th at Grace Cathedral. And, of course, we invite you to join us for our signature Juneteenth Gala on June 19th. Please save the dates and begin considering how you can engage with us and be part of this historic and empowering series.

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Stay tuned for more updates and scheduling details. In the meantime, thank you once again for placing your trust in me. There is real work to do—but we're in this together.

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With gratitude and solidarity,

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Brigette

Brigette R. LeBlanc, MTA
President & CEO
San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce