Community Events
ENTREPRENEURIAL BOOT CAMP
Date: First Wednesdays
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Atlee Branch Library
9212 Rutlandshire Drive, Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Cost:
Free
Your next big idea deserves support. Join Downtown Ashland Association’s Entrepreneur Bootcamps to connect, collaborate, and gain the tools you need to grow. Each session inside the Ashland Branch Library’s main conference room offers free resources, fresh insights, and the community every entrepreneur needs to thrive.
TUESDAY MORNING MIXER
Date: Tuesday March 31, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM EST
Location: Autumn’s Catering & Cafe
6802 Paragon Place,
1st Floor
Richmond, VA 23230
Join our exclusive networking event for professionals. Connect with business owners, instructors, and sponsors and experience the awarding of certificates to our Winter 2026 Black Business Accelerator Program graduates.
BUSINESS NETWORKING AFTER HOURS
Date:
Friday, May 1, 2026
Time:
6:30PM- 8:00PM
Location:
LoveLeys Hair
9200 Stony Point Pkwy #197
Richmond, VA 23235
Members: $15
Non-Members: $25
Light refreshments will be served
The Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce hosts this month's Business Networking After Hours at LoveLeys Hair in Richmond, VA. Starting at 6:30 PM, join us to meet, mingle, and mix with other business owners, professionals, and like-minded entrepreneurs.
Professional Headshots Available On-Site
Limited Timeslots Available!
Photographer: Chozen Studios & Co.
First 5 Participants Who Register and Attend will Receive FREE Headshots.
Headshot opportunities and packages will be available for interested participants. You will receive a link to reserve a time AFTER completing registration for the event.
Click to Register
TURN YOUR MISSION INTO FUNDING
CASE FOR SUPPORT MASTERCLASS
WITH NATIONAL EXPERTS MEL & PEARL SHAW
Date:
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Time: 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Location: Chesterfield Economic Development Authority
7053 Celebration Park Ave.
Richmond, VA 23225
Members: $45
Non-Members: $55
If you’re serious about securing funding, your organization needs more than a good mission; it needs a compelling case for support.
This powerful session will show you how to clearly communicate your vision, attract funders, and position your organization for sustainable growth.
You Will Learn
- What a case for support is, and what it’s not
- How to create a clear, compelling, and fundable message
- What to include to engage donors, funders, and partners
- How to use your case across proposals, websites, and conversations
You Will Receive
A copy of Prerequisites for Fundraising Success
Practical tools you can apply immediately
BONUS: Attend the full session and receive a
1-Year Chamber Non-Profit Membership (processing fees not included)
About the Presenters
Mel & Pearl Shaw are nationally recognized fundraising and strategy experts with over 50 years of combined experience helping nonprofits, colleges, and organizations secure funding and grow their impact. Their work spans UNCF, HBCUs, and national initiatives, and they are co-authors of Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.
LEVERAGING YOUR PHILANTHROPY
Date: Wednesday, June 17
Time: 10:00AM–11:00AM
Location: 3409 Moore Street, Richmond, VA 23230
Please join us for a presentation on Leveraging Your Philanthropy at the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond.
What to Expect
· A warm welcome and opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals
· A high-level look at the value of a Community Foundation to its regions
· Ways to partner—from civic engagement initiatives to charitable funds
· Helpful tips for tax-efficient grantmaking
· Time for questions and conversation
We look forward to seeing you on June 17th and furthering philanthropy together.
SUMMER 2026
BLACK BUSINESS ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
IMPACTING 100+ BUSINESS OWNERS
ARE YOU READY TO SCALE TO YOUR NEXT LEVEL?
The Black Business Accelerator Program goal is to help propel African American businesses to a level in which they can compete and perform equally with majority businesses that have stronger roots and relationships. We support this goal with a 3 month course that covers 6 sessions with industry leaders in the areas of accessing capital, organizational development, human resources, branding, and growing digitally.
The Black Business Accelerator Program receives sponsorship from Henrico Economic Development, Chesterfield Economic Development, and the Virginia State University Center for Entrepreneurship, enabling us to offer a low tuition fee of $300 for the full course. Participants in the program have the choice to pay the tuition in full or opt for a two-payment plan, with the full payment due before the course's first day.
The program offers both
virtual and in-person options. In-person classes are conducted at 6802 Paragon Place, 2nd Floor Conference Room, Richmond, VA. Virtual students will receive information during the course to join. The course consists of
six sessions held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM on the following dates. Applicants should ensure their availability for these dates before applying:
SUMMER 2026 DATES
- May 13
- May 27
- June 10
- June 24
- July 8
- July 22
PLEASE NOTE: The Chamber offers a SYNDICATED CALENDAR system that can host all events for the community. Request calendar code from the Chamber for your own website. Will show only your events on your website, but all events are automatically added to the official calendar and mobile applications for our region.
