About Us
The Bastrop County Black Chamber of Commerce was founded on June 19, 2025, during the 1st Annual State of the Black Community in Bastrop County event, hosted by Ham Bonz Soul Food and presented by DJ Bling Foundation. Established on the historic observance of Juneteenth, the Black Chamber was created to serve as a unified voice and economic engine for Black businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals, and communities throughout Bastrop County.
Since its founding, the Chamber has been focused on building a strong foundation of leadership, collaboration, and sustainable impact. Guided by the principles of Buy Black, Vote Black, and Build Black, the Black Chamber seeks to cultivate a thriving ecosystem where Black entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and community ownership can flourish together.
We are more than a business organization—we are a movement dedicated to advancing economic empowerment, preserving cultural legacy, and shaping a stronger future for generations to come.
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.