About Us
The Bastrop County Black Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst for economic empowerment, innovation, and collective growth within the Black business community in Bastrop County. We exist to connect entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders with the resources, relationships, and opportunities needed to build sustainable success. Through advocacy, strategic partnerships, policy, education, and culturally responsive programming, we work to eliminate barriers, expand access to capital, and strengthen the pipeline of Black-owned businesses. Our Chamber strives to be more than a network—it’s a movement dedicated to creating generational wealth, elevating Black excellence, and driving lasting impact in the Black communities of Bastrop County.
Inaugural Leadership
Joseph B. Thompson is a visionary entrepreneur, pastor, and community leader based in Bastrop County, Texas, dedicated to advancing economic empowerment, spiritual growth, and cultural impact. Widely known by his creative brand DJ Bling, Joseph has built a dynamic career at the intersection of business, ministry, music, and community development—using each platform as a vehicle to inspire, uplift, and create opportunity.
Alongside him is his wife, Gerlicia Thomson, an accomplished leader in her own right whose work and influence span ministry, leadership, and community engagement. Together, Joseph and Gerlicia serve as co-pastors, of Christian Interactive Fellowship, modeling a unified approach to faith, family, and leadership. Their partnership reflects a shared commitment to serving people holistically—strengthening individuals, and communities through spiritual guidance, practical teaching, and authentic connection.
As the co-founders of the Bastrop County Black Chamber of Commerce, Joseph and Gerlicia are committed to advancing Black entrepreneurship, strengthening local businesses, and building pathways to generational wealth. Under their leadership, the Chamber has launched impactful initiatives centered on Buy Black, Vote Black, and Build Black, positioning the organization as a driving force for economic growth and equity in the region.
Joseph also serves as the President & CEO of the DJ Bling Foundation, where he leads efforts to empower underserved communities through innovative programs focused on youth development, education, and economic stability. Through his leadership, the Foundation has become a catalyst for community impact, providing resources, hosting events, and creating opportunities that uplift individuals and families across Bastrop County.
As respected voices in both civic and spiritual spaces, Joseph and Gerlicia are also the visionaries behind the State of the Black Community in Bastrop County, an annual event designed to inform, connect, and mobilize leaders and residents around key issues. Through initiatives like the Black Chamber Community Trust, they continue to pioneer innovative solutions that address systemic barriers and create long-term economic opportunity.
Together, Joseph B. Thompson and Gerlicia Thomson are building more than organizations—they are building a legacy rooted in faith, service, and transformation. Driven by purpose and a shared vision, they continue to lead a movement that impacts lives spiritually, economically, and culturally across Bastrop County and beyond.
Joseph holds multiple degrees in business, music, and theology.
Strategic Objectives
Buy Black
Buy Black is our commitment to strengthening the economic power of our community by intentionally supporting Black-owned businesses. We believe that where we spend our money shapes the future of our neighborhoods. By promoting local Black entrepreneurs, increasing visibility, and encouraging community-wide participation, we aim to circulate dollars within Bastrop County and create sustainable growth. This initiative is about more than transactions—it’s about building relationships, creating jobs, and establishing a thriving ecosystem where Black businesses can scale, compete, and succeed.
Vote Black
Vote Black represents the importance of civic engagement, education, and collective voice in shaping policies that impact our community. We are dedicated to increasing awareness around local issues, encouraging informed participation, and ensuring that the interests of Black residents and business owners are represented in decision-making spaces. Through nonpartisan education, leadership development, and community dialogue, we empower individuals to understand their influence and take part in building a future that reflects equity, opportunity, and accountability.
Build Black
Build Black is our focus on creating lasting infrastructure, leadership, and opportunities that will serve generations to come. From business development and workforce training to mentorship and wealth-building strategies, this objective centers on equipping our community with the tools to grow and lead. We are intentional about fostering innovation, supporting new ventures, and strengthening existing institutions so that Black excellence is not only sustained—but expanded. Building Black means investing in our people, our ideas, and our future with purpose and vision.
Black Chamber Community Trust
The Black Chamber Community Trust is a visionary initiative established to secure, develop, and steward real estate for the long-term benefit of Black-owned businesses and the broader community. Created under the leadership and mission of the Bastrop County Black Chamber of Commerce, the Trust addresses one of the most pressing barriers to economic growth—access to affordable, stable commercial space. By pooling resources from community members, partners, and mission-aligned investors, the Trust acquires and manages property with a clear purpose: to create equitable opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to establish, grow, and sustain their businesses without the constant threat of displacement.
Through the Black Chamber Community Trust, real estate becomes a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion. Properties are intentionally developed into affordable retail, office, and mixed-use spaces designed to support Black business growth and community engagement. Tenants benefit from predictable, fair leasing structures that allow them to focus on building their brands, serving customers, and creating jobs. The Trust prioritizes long-term community impact over short-term financial gain, ensuring that the economic value generated within these spaces is reinvested back into the community.
Guided by principles of transparency, accountability, and collective ownership, the Trust is shaped by the voices it serves. Community stakeholders, business leaders, and Chamber members play an active role in informing decisions around property acquisition, development, and use. Beyond providing space, the Trust serves as a hub for collaboration, offering access to business resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities that strengthen the overall ecosystem of Black entrepreneurship in Bastrop County.
The Black Chamber Community Trust represents a pathway to generational wealth and economic resilience. By reclaiming control of land and property, it creates a foundation for sustainable growth, shared prosperity, and lasting community impact. This initiative is not just about owning buildings—it’s about building power, preserving presence, and ensuring that Black businesses have a permanent place to thrive in the future of Bastrop County.