As we reflect on the holiday that honors the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr., we should think about the indelible legacy he left in his actions and his words.  He often said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” This year, on what would have been his 90^th birthday his words and legacy are as relevant as ever.  To honor Dr. King this day should not just be a day off, but should be one of reflection and a “Day of Service” to others through civic, community and intentional service projects.  As a business leader and a man of faith, I constantly think about how I can serve others through my role at the helm of the Hampton Roads Chamber.  While the Chamber means business it also must serve as in inspiring ignitor and impactful advocate in our community.  Our advocacy efforts occur not just at the legislative level but also in recognizing inequalities, issues, challenges and concerns within our community and driving positive change.

How prepared is your company to survive in today’s dynamic business environment? The Small Business Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics report 50 percent of small businesses fail within their first five years. A Bloomberg article claims as many as 8 out of 10 small businesses fail within the first 18 months.

If the U.S. and the Hampton Roads region want to remain globally competitive, we must look at the benefits of generating emissions-free energy. Offshore wind technology allows our nation to become competitive in the energy sector and could be a boon to the Hampton Roads economy.

Many other regions struggling with job and talent loss, city stalemates, and stagnation after the recession have also had these talks, but it’s no secret many of them have figured out how to recover and turn around their economy.

There was no single word repeated more often by Pittsburgh leaders than ‘collaboration.’ Pittsburgh’s recovery and growth has captured national attention and while elected officials and county executives do not hesitate in saying this “overnight success, was 30 years in the making,” they also look to each other for the credit of their success. Checking their egos at the door and joining forces to recover from staggering economic hardship, the Pittsburgh region began to think differently. Much of this success stemmed from merging into a united region that brings together ten counties and 130 municipalities over 745 square miles of Western Pennsylvania into one Allegheny County region. At the helm of their success is The Allegheny Conference with one administrator who oversees all the localities. Each mayor and Regional leader sit on the Conference and work together in advocacy efforts and major economic development. They speak as one voice and that voice has been heard.

The Hampton Roads Chamber is laser-focused on diversity for 2018. We’ve already hosted an inaugural diversity forum and had a successful start to the 2018 Glass series, which focuses on women in business.

            When we think of examples of leaders who have changed the trajectory of their field, they often share the same qualities. Leaders that reject the status quo, that question tradition, that think less of their own reputation and more of the footprint their choices make upon the community, exhibit visionary thinking and courageous leadership.  With every ribbon cutting I go to and every Chamber member’s successful grand opening, ground breaking or addition, I recognize that it is the business community that is taking the leaps of faith, and the risks that display courageous leadership and shape Hampton Roads into a region with a vision to actualize its true potential.

An efficient transportation system that meets the needs of business is key to a strong regional economy.  Fortunately, in Hampton Roads we have observed firsthand the beginning of a successful regional effort to advance many of our region’s strategic transportation projects.  Through the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO), our region’s elected officials have identified and prioritized our region’s most important transportation projects.  Funding plans and strategies for these projects have been developed by the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC).  The majority of the funds being used by HRTAC to advance these projects has come from a regional gas tax and sales and use tax, which only exists in two Virginia regions; Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. 

Do We Need a New Culture?

Black history month brings to mind the accomplishments and the profound influence that
African Americans have had on America.  Here in Hampton Roads we are rich in history and diversity and home to two of the nation’s top historically black colleges and universities. The talent and achievements of African-American business leaders can be felt throughout the region. From Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander’s victory as the first African-American mayor of Norfolk, to Suffolk native Dr. L.D. Britt, Chairman at Eastern Virginia Medical School and the first black doctor to have an endowed chair in surgery, to Barbara Ciara, WTKR-TV Channel 3, news anchor and groundbreaker in media and communications.