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Black News, Commentary and Culture | The Washington Informer

The District’s economic growth in 2026 will depend on a bolder, stronger, and more unified commitment to championing local businesses — a message echoed by political, administration, and business leaders at the DC Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting and chairman’s inaugural breakfast, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest on Dec. 11.

DC Chamber President Chinyere Hubbard, who is 10 months into her leadership role at the city’s preeminent business organization, proudly shared how the chamber has grown and the significant impact the organization is having on public policy and local business development.

“While we have certainly navigated headwinds, we have found opportunities for growth and impact together,” Hubbard said. “We have transformed the DC Chamber into a bolder, stronger, more unified champion for business. And the proof is everywhere. We’ve recruited a record 176 new members, an unprecedented increase in Chamber of Commerce’s renewed membership.”

More than 200 small and large business owners attended and joined in celebrating the Chamber’s growth and impact over the past year, and they focused on the organization’s plans to increase from 50 to 100 events in 2026 including in-person and virtual events and town halls, according to Chamber Chair Earle “Chico” Horton III.

The featured speaker at the Thursday morning event was Marla Blow, president and CEO of the Skoll Foundation.

Founded in 1999 by its namesake Jeff Skoll, the foundation’s mission is to “build a sustainable world of peace and prosperity for all” according to its website, “by investing in, connecting, and championing social entrepreneurs and other social innovators who together advance bold and equitable solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.”

Hubbard and other leaders celebrated Skoll’s recent move of its headquarters from California to D.C., and welcomed Blow to the business community.

Other speakers included D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson, At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development; Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, and Nina Albert, deputy mayor for Planning and Economic Development.