The First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce
V101.5 Interviews about the chamber and its role in the community:
Part One
Part Two
WCGL/FL Star Interview:
Dr Robinson
The Founders Award is presented at our annual heritage breakfast. It recognizes an African American owned business that exemplifies success and leadership in the community.
Founders Award Winners
Year
Margy Cody,
Spirit of Excellenece 2008
Carrie Davis/Ed Gaston,
Wealth Watchers 2009
George Battle,
ARC Rite 2010
Lamont Floyd
Cupragious 2011
About Us: The First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) Internal Revenue Service designated tax-exempt organization. The Chamber relates and interprets government regulations, laws, policies, procedures, guidelines, principles and practices to the minority commercial and business community. It acts as a marketing and resource liaison for its members by encouraging and assisting the grassroots section of the community to participate and become involved. It also develops and implements programs, partnerships and strategic alliances. It informs businesses of incentives and tax credits available and targeted for under-utilized areas and under-served communities in
Our Vision:
Join us today through Advocacy, Outreach, and Activities
Our Values:
1. Diversity in business
2. Responsiveness to the business community
3. Flexibility to change
4. Collaboration
1. To be a clearinghouse for information
2. Advocate for the small business community
3. Promoter of African American businesses
4. Creator of relevant business statistics.
5. Connect participants to networks that promote business generation
Chamber Leadership Position
Cliff Grant
Chairman/CEO
Dr. Charlotte Powell
Treasurer
Ms. Angela Thompson
Secretary
Mr. Phil Mobley
Parlimentarian
Dr. Michelle Bell
At-large
Mr. Bracy Taylor
At-large
Mr. William Price
At-large
Mr. Lewis Siplin
Founder
Chamber Leadership History
As the one-time owner of nine Church’s Chicken franchises in the Florida and
Georgia areas, Lewis Siplin, president and CEO of Siplin Enterprises, has made
tremendous strides. He started in 1965 in the Church s system at age 16, climbed through the ranks and employed more than 170 workers with annual revenues of exceeding more than $1 1 million. After establishing record-breaking sales in 1992, Siplin was asked by Church’s management to take over three additional restaurants that were closed in Jacksonville, Florida. In 1997, he acquired the markets in Albany and Thomasville, Georgia, and expanded into Tallahassee, Florida. In 2000 he was a Black Enterprise/Bank of America Entrepreneurs Conference award nominee.
About the Heritage Breakfast
The Annual Heritage Breakfast presented by the First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce. In 1993, a group of successful African American business persons recognized a need for another catalyst in the local community. A catalyst that would help spurn economic development and mobility. Those ideals emerged into the First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce. In its infancy, the chamber was funded primarily by Mr. Lewis Siplin. Over time, the chamber garnered support from other businessmen and women as well as government entities such as the City of Jacksonville. In 1996, the First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce presented the First Annual Heritage Breakfast at the Wyndham Hotel (Now the Radisson). The event is intended as a celebration and a fundraiser for the organization. The event is held the final Wednesday in February of each year.
Chamber Leadership Timeline
Founder and Chairman:
Lewis Siplin 1996-2006
Chairman:
A.D. Roberts 2006 to 2010
Cliff Grant 2010- present
Presidents
Lovella Fowler 1998-2001
Deborah Thompson 2006-2007
(served as vice president to chairman 2001-2006)
Dr. Carlton Lamar Robinson 2007 to 2010 (President)