21 April 2016
AUSTIN – The Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce
(TAAACC) recently announced the launch of its inaugural “TAAACC Policy
Breakfast” in cooperation with Huston-Tillotson University (HTU).
*We are thrilled that HT President Dr. Colette Pierce-Burnette’s commitment to the growth and development of Texas’ Black-owned businesses mirrors ours,” said
TAAACC President Charles O’Neal. “This alliance between premier Texas institutions represents dramatic new possibilities for Black communities statewide.”
The TAAACC Policy Breakfast Series is designed to: broaden understanding of the interplay between industry and government; encourage Texas’ Black citizens to more fully participate in the policy-making process; foster awareness of 1) how public policy is shaped to drive economic growth, 2) how public policy determines the distribution of public resources, and 3) how current public policy impacts Black Texans.
“The opportunity to play a lead role in ensuring that the Texas economy works for all businesses is part of our core commitment to academic vibrancy and forward thinking on issues of economic empowerment,” stated Dr. Burnette. “All academic institutions, especially HBCUs, play a vital role in the development of policies that yield long-term benefit to the public.”
The TAAACC Policy Breakfast is a first step in ensuring equitable access to resources that support the growth and development of Black-owned businesses, in turn ensuring that Black Texans play an active role in developing solutions to pressing social issues, including education, healthcare, social services, criminal justice or meaningful participation in the political process.
“We could not be more optimistic about what the Policy Breakfast series will yield for our state,” said TAAACC Chairman Christopher Herring. “This strong union between business and academia will help both define and refine our focus on five key Texas industry sectors: Energy. Financial Services, Healthcare, Telecom/Technology, and Transportation. It is imperative that Black-owned businesses play an increased role in the industries that underpin the Texas economy and our joining forces with Huston-Tillotson is a true game-changer.”
The inaugural Policy Breakfast – focused on Texas Energy – will take place Thursday, May 26, 2016 at HTU’s Davage-Durden Union Building, from 8:30-10AM.
For more information contact TAAACC at 512.535.5610 or info@taaacc.org.