Cathay Dawkins, President & Chairman, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce

Invest: sat down with President and Chairman of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce, Cathay Dawkins, to discuss the chamber’s plans under its new leadership to grow an already-burgeoning member base, the opportunities and challenges that Black business owners face, and how the chamber contributes to community engagement in the region.

What are your primary goals as the new chairman of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce?

I’ve been a member of the chamber for about 14 years but I’m more known for my role on the Black Business Council (BBC). I started the BBC because I wanted to see more community engagement from the chamber. Now, with my experience from running the BBC, I think we can bring a new dynamic to the chamber. We’re going to be way more community-involved and public-facing. Sometimes, chambers can seem disconnected from the businesses they represent. We want to be right there with the business owners, meeting them where they are. The chamber will be tangible and accessible for all small business owners. 

 How do you plan to measure the economic impact of Black-owned businesses within the region?

We are going to conduct an impact study. This study will focus specifically on Black businesses in Charlotte, the county and the state. The city of Charlotte is also doing an impact study for all small businesses, and we are involved in that survey. There will be two impact studies in the next year that will show the value of small businesses, including Black-owned businesses. From the data we gather, we can demonstrate the true impact of these businesses.

Some of the metrics we’re looking at include the contribution of Black-owned businesses to the overall economic impact in key sectors like tourism, trade, retail and construction. We also want to track their growth over the last 10 years, five years, three years and one year. Since COVID, there have been a lot of new businesses, so we want to ensure we capture data from those periods. We’re also doing a survey asking business owners about their needs and challenges.

What are some of the specific resources and opportunities that the chamber plans to use to support Black-owned businesses?

We are really focused on technical assistance. We’re providing in-house business development workshops and training. We’re also partnering with organizations like the Urban League and other chambers like the Carolina LGBT Chamber. We’ll also announce some collaborative projects focused on business development and economic impact. Our engagement plan involves reaching out to churches, fraternities and sororities that have many Black businesses and professionals. We’re creating partnerships with these organizations to increase our presence.

We also plan to visit salons and barbershops and be present at grand openings and other community events. We want business owners to know we truly have their backs. Community engagement is crucial because the community needs to see Black businesses giving back. We’re requiring all businesses to do volunteer hours. This includes corporate members and small businesses. We’re also doing a quarterly day of service to show the community that we are invested.

What are some of the challenges that many Black-owned businesses face today, and how is the chamber addressing those?

One of the biggest challenges is access to capital, but another significant challenge is the lack of technical support. Many small businesses wear multiple hats, and if they’re not tech-savvy, they can be left behind, especially with the rapid advancements in AI. My biggest concern is that businesses need both capital and technical support to level up. We are focusing on providing business and technical assistance.

Every Member meeting will have a business development component. We’re partnering with companies like Google and Microsoft to provide technical assistance. We also have business owners capable of training others. Our mentorship program, in partnership with the NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Center, will offer guidance and technical assistance. We have government partnerships that will be announced soon.

How is the chamber advocating for its businesses and promoting political engagement among its members?

One of the first things I did was create a U.S. government policy director position, filled by Vinay Brady, a professor at UNC Charlotte and a business owner. We wanted someone to guide us on policies at the local, state, and federal levels. We’re ensuring that we are informed about policies and that our Members are aware and can advocate for themselves. By showing government officials that the Black Chamber represents a significant number of business owners, we can influence policy changes more effectively.

What specific projects or initiatives have you been particularly proud of since you took on your new role?

I’m proud of always working hard and staying focused. I didn’t aim to become the chairman, but now that I am, I’m excited about the change and innovation that’s happening. One significant initiative is our focus on AI, which will be a game-changer for Black businesses. We’re making sure business owners are equipped with AI. We’re also hosting quarterly networking mixers in partnership with organizations like TRULIANT and USA Think. These mixers connect corporations, business owners and local organizations.

How do you envision the future of Black-owned businesses in Charlotte, and what role will the chamber play in shaping that future?

I see a global impact for Black-owned businesses. Charlotte is a significant financial hub, and any impact here can ripple globally. We need to elevate the conversation and show how our efforts create global impact. By packaging and showcasing this, we can change the game for Black businesses in Charlotte and beyond. The Black Chamber will play a crucial role in this transformation by providing support and creating opportunities for global engagement.

Want more? Read the Invest: Charlotte report.