CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE PROCLAMATION Minority Business Alliance of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce 10th Anniversary WHEREAS, on January 3, 2012, the Minority Business Alliance was officially launched as an affinity group of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce; and WHEREAS, the Minority Business Alliance was birthed out of the City of Charlottesville Dialogue on Race community-wide discussions held 2009-2010; and WHEREAS, the Minority Business Alliance includes a diverse group of longtime and emerging business professionals and leaders working collaboratively to support, promote and grow minority-owned businesses in Greater Charlottesville; and WHEREAS, the Minority Business Alliance offers member investment benefits that include professional development and training, dynamic educational sessions, networking and resource connections, and competitive funding opportunities; and WHEREAS, since 2020, the Minority Business Alliance has awarded more than $106,000 to the minority business community: $10,000 to 10 MBA members from the MBA Endurance Fund, and almost $100,000 in grants to MBA members and other Black and Brown existing and emerging business owners through the United Way of Greater Charlottesville Minority Business Grant Opportunity; and WHEREAS, being known for establishing strategic partnerships, MBA has leveraged more than 25 local, state and national business and nonprofit partners to expand community wealth building, including premier partnerships with United Way of Greater Charlottesville and C’Ville Weekly; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the City of Charlottesville hereby proclaims September 9, 2022 as Minority Business Alliance Day in celebration of this milestone year. Signed and dated this 6th day of September 2022. _______________________ J. Lloyd Snook, III, Mayor