The Midlands African Chamber.
We connect, empower, and champion businesses.
Welcome to the Midlands African Chamber.
Founded in 2020, the Midlands African Chamber is a membership-based organization that exists to enhance the robust African and African American business climate in Nebraska and across the Midwest. All benefits, programs, and events of the Chamber are designed to give businesses the opportunity to make or save money, acquire knowledge and skills to help grow a network of successful entrepreneurs.
What we do
The Midlands African Chamber advocates for and represents the business interests and issues affecting the African and African American communities in Nebraska and the Midwest.
Advocacy & Support
Promotional Opportunities
News & Updates
🌍✨ Mark your calendars! The next B2B Agora is happening on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 9:00–10:00 AM CDT.Cohosted by Karine Sokpoh (CEO, MAC) and John Ouedraogo (Chair, MAC Global Trade Committee), this session will feature special guests Bernice Lamptey-Smith and Stephanie Logan Settro from the Go Global Conference (GOC).Join us as we explore global opportunities, partnerships, and the power of cross-border collaboration.📅 Tuesday, Sept 9, 2025 ⏰ 9:00–10:00 AM CDT | 14:00–15:00 GMT 🎥 Live👉 Don’t miss it – Join us for B2B Agora!#B2BAgora #MAC #MidlandsAfricanChamber #JoinTheTribe #GlobalOpportunities #Entrepreneurship
🌟 Omaha, are you ready?! 🌟The 2025 Gratitude Gala is where excellence meets celebration! 🎶✨ We’re honoring this year’s incredible nominees with dinner, awards, live music, and dancing you don’t want to miss. 💃🏾🕺🏾🎟️ Early Bird tickets end Oct 22 ➡️https://app.glueup.com/event/149609/ 🤝 Want your brand in the spotlight? Become a sponsor: https://fundmac.org/gratitude-gala/#sponsorshipThis is the night to bring the JOY, the EXCITEMENT, and the Attitude of Gratitude. 🥂#MACGratitudeGala2025 #GratitudeGala #FundMAC #JoinTheTribe #CelebrateExcellence #BlackExcellence #Entrepreneurship #AttitudeOfGratitude #MidlandsAfricanChamber #MACFoundation
📢 Quick update on our 2025 EGA Pitch Judges!We’re honored to have these incredible leaders bring their expertise, energy, and vision to the judging panel at AfroFest Omaha:James Mobley – Google Christian Stovall – FiberFirst April Hibbler – Urban League of Nebraska / Nebraska Opportunity ExchangeVa’Shauna Evans – Metropolitan Community CollegeThey’ll be guiding and evaluating our semi-finalists as they pitch bold ideas for the future. Don’t miss the action at the Connectors Tent on August 31!✨ Come for the culture. Pitch for the future. ✨#EGAPitch #AfroFestOmaha #MidlandsAfricanChamber #JoinTheTribe #CelebrateExcellence #BlackExcellence #Entrepreneurship
Fall Cohort Applications Closing Soon! Turn your business idea into reality with the MAC Xcelerator — a 12-week hybrid program designed to help you launch and grow your business.$1,000 Business Funding Mentorship & Business Plan Support Pitch Deck DevelopmentApply by August 31, 2025 www.midlandsafricanchamber.com#MACXcelerator #SmallBusinessSupport #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLaunch #MidlandsAfricanChamber
What our members are saying
I am glad to be a member of this great organization. They work hard to elevate your business. I have been accepted into the Fall 2024 Cohort “One Million Black Women: Black in Business program”. Thank you to the CEO karine Sokpoh who is very informative !
I don’t think it was a flute that I found the Midlands African Chamber. They put great effort into marketing themselves within the community. As an organization their missions involves helping BIPOC and immigrants by offering education, networking opportunities, mentorship, and more. I’ve been actively involved with their programs for “only” 6 months and I’ve gotten rewarded so much more than I would’ve expected.If you fit their target demographic, definitely give them a chance and check out what they can offer you!
The Midlands African Chamber is the organization that helped me building stronger connexions and more visibility for my real estate business. The MAC provides many resources, useful for businesses and individuals. I recommend to join the Midlands African Chamber, today!
We have been able to access great networking events to grow our business. I would recommend you joining!
MAC Foundation
The MAC Foundation is the fundraising arm of the Midlands African Chamber organized as a 501(c)(3) corporation exclusively for charitable, educational, and cultural purposes in the state of Nebraska.
The Foundation provides a mechanism to establish, administer and finance programs that enhance the robust African and African American communities’ crucial needs, in line with the goals of the Midlands African Chamber.
If you have any questions about the Foundation or would like to discuss ways in which you can become involved in its work, please contact us.
MAC Programs and Initiatives
MAC Xcelerator
The MAC Xcelerator (MAC-X) is an enterprise accelerator program aimed at supporting BIPOC-led startups and small businesses in Nebraska and the Midlands. It focuses on empowering Black business leaders with solutions that address community needs and promote sustainable growth. The program is held twice a year, in Fall and Spring, offering participants financial incentives and the option to apply for the Pitch Black competition. Graduates of MAC-X can receive up to $1,000 in seed funding.
Pitch Black
Pitch Black is a Midwest conference designed to boost entrepreneurship in diverse communities. It features prominent speakers, a business expo, and a pitch competition for BIPOC, immigrant, and refugee entrepreneurs. Participants compete for a grand prize of up to $15,000 and in-kind support exceeding $40,000. This support includes essential services like marketing, legal, and accounting to help grow their ventures.
Suit Up Program
The Midlands African Chamber’s Suit Up Program aims to empower young men and women to achieve economic independence. It offers support through professional attire, headshots, and job readiness training. The program focuses on at-risk teens and young adults in Black, Brown, immigrant, and refugee communities. Its goal is to inspire and build a pipeline of future minority entrepreneurs.
Rising CEOs
Rising CEOs is a Leadership and Entrepreneurship program funded by the Omaha Community Foundation, Sherwood Foundation, and Weitz Foundation. It aims to nurture entrepreneurial spirit, technology, and leadership skills among at-risk black and brown youth aged 14 to 19. The program focuses on creating opportunities for teens from immigrant, refugee, and minority communities. Its goal is to inspire and develop the next generation of minority entrepreneurs.
Members Emergency Fund
Our mission is to connect, empower, and support black businesses through unity and collaboration. The MAC Emergency Fund reflects our commitment to standing by our members during challenging times. We understand that unforeseen events can threaten business stability. Our goal is to provide the resources and support needed to help members maintain their operations.
Scholarship Fund
The MAC Foundation Scholarships support Black, refugee, and immigrant high school seniors and college students pursuing Accounting, Finance, Law, and STEM fields. The scholarship application is now open, aiming to alleviate financial pressure for deserving students. Each recipient can receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship for tuition and books. The program seeks to reward students who show strong dedication to their studies and passion for their chosen disciplines.
Contractors Connect
Contractors Connect is a quarterly luncheon initiative by the Midlands African Chamber, Inc. (MAC), aimed at fostering growth and providing valuable resources to underserved and minority-owned contractors. This program serves as a dynamic platform for minority contractors to connect with larger general contractors, gain access to vital industry resources, and explore potential opportunities.
Trade Mission
The Midlands African Chamber Inc. mission trade offers US-based businesses a unique opportunity to explore key markets in West Africa, build international connections, and uncover new opportunities for growth. The mission will focus on high-growth economic hubs in Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Togo. Participants will engage in pre-arranged one-on-one business meetings with potential partners, distributors, and clients and visits to iconic sites such as Elmina Castle in Ghana and Togo’s Grand Marché, enhancing both business prospects and cultural understanding.
Upcoming Events
August 2025
Ega Pitch at AfroFest Omaha 2025 | Pitch. Win. Grow.
September 2025
MAC B2B AGORA | Cross-Border Deals with Go Global Committee: Building Bridges
October 2025
Go Global Conference | International Trade And Investment Expo
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