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
Our CEO Karine Sokpoh was a panelist at the Building Her Quendom Business Expo this past weekend, along with Monica Sempek and Nicole Louis, sharing insights on the mindset of winning women. A huge congratulations to Desiree War and her entire team for organizing such an impactful event! It was inspiring to see so many women, including several MAC members, come together in support of Black and immigrant women-owned businesses. The energy, representation, and empowerment were truly incredible. Together, we continue to build, uplift, and celebrate our community.#WomenInBusiness #WinningWomen #BlackExcellence #ImmigrantEntrepreneurs #SupportBlackBusinesses #BuildingHerQuendom #MACRepresentation #Entrepreneurship #WomenEmpowerment #CommunityLeadership
🌍 We’re just 3 days away from the MAC Foundation Gratitude Gala, and tickets are almost sold out! This is your chance to honor the legendary Cheikh Anta Diop, the Senegalese scholar who changed how we understand African history and identity. His life’s work in decolonizing African knowledge and uncovering Africa’s deep roots continues to inspire pride and unity across generations.✨ Join us on Nov 16 at MCC in Omaha for an unforgettable evening of heritage, unity, and celebration of African resilience and brilliance. Don’t wait—tickets are selling out fast! Secure yours NOW and be part of this historic event celebrating the Untold Afro Renaissance. 🎟️ Tickets at www.fundmac.org 🌟#CheikhAntaDiop 🌍 #AfricanHeritage #DecolonizingHistory ✊🏽 #GratitudeGala #UntoldAfroRenaissance 🖤 #JoinTheTribe #MACFoundation #FundMAC #MidlandsAfricanChamber 🎉 #TicketsAlmostGone
🎓 Amazing Opportunity Alert! The MAC Foundation Scholarships are now open for applications! This is your chance to gain financial support and be recognized for your achievements at the 2025 Gratitude Gala & Awards. 🌟 These scholarships are designed to empower future leaders like you who are committed to making a difference in their communities.Whether you're a high school senior, college student, or young professional, we encourage you to apply and take a step closer to your dreams. Every scholarship awarded is an investment in the leaders of tomorrow! 💼🌠📅 Application Deadline: March 30, 2025 🌐 Apply today at www.fundmac.org or scan the QR code on the flyer!Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to elevate your journey—apply today and let the MAC Foundation support your path to success! 🚀 #MACFoundation #Scholarships #FutureLeaders #GratitudeGala2025 #InvestInYourFuture #Midlandsafricanchamber
🌟 Calling all aspiring entrepreneurs! The MAC Xcelerator program is open for applications! Starting on November 18th, this empowering journey is designed to provide mentorship, essential business skills, and a supportive network to help you succeed. 🌱✨Plus, upon completion, you’ll earn a $1,000 reward as recognition of your hard work and dedication! 💰🙌 Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your business to the next level, this is your chance to turn your dreams into reality. 🌠🗓️ Deadline to Apply: December 31st 🔗 Apply now at www.midlandsafricanchamber.comDon’t miss out on this amazing opportunity—let’s build the future together! 🚀👩🏽💼👨🏿💼 #MACXcelerator #Entrepreneurship #FutureLeaders #MidlandsAfricanChamber
📅 The countdown is on—only 5 days until the Gratitude Gala! We’re gathering to honor transformative African leaders like King Shaka Zulu, whose visionary leadership united the Zulu Kingdom and reshaped South African history. Shaka’s powerful legacy of innovation and resilience still resonates today, inspiring generations to lead with purpose and unity.✨ Join us on November 16 at the Metropolitan Community College Institute for Culinary Arts in Omaha for a night of celebration, community, and support. The evening will feature inspiring stories, community honors, and our exclusive silent auction—now live! Browse and bid on incredible items and experiences that benefit the MAC Foundation’s mission, including programs like Rising CEOs and Suit Up, designed to empower the next generation of leaders.Can’t attend in person? You can still participate in the silent auction online and make a difference. Your support goes directly to programs that champion diversity, inclusion, and entrepreneurship.🎟️ Tickets are nearly sold out, so don’t wait! Secure yours now at www.fundmac.org. Together, let’s uplift our community and honor those who paved the way. #ShakaZulu #ZuluKingdom #SouthAfricanHistory #GratitudeGala #AfroRenaissance #JoinTheTribe #MACFoundation
📅 Only 5 days left! We’re honoring the legacy of King Gbehanzin, the last independent ruler of the Kingdom of Dahomey in what is now Benin Republic. His fierce resistance against colonization symbolizes African resilience and sovereignty. Join us on November 16 at MCC in Omaha for the MAC Foundation Gratitude Gala to celebrate the power of African heritage.This event will include an inspiring silent auction, live now! Bid on unique items and experiences, and support the MAC Foundation’s mission to empower emerging leaders through programs like Rising CEOs and Suit Up. Whether you’re attending in person or online, your participation makes a difference.⏰ Tickets are almost sold out—act now! Secure your spot today at www.fundmac.org. Let’s come together to honor the past and invest in the future!#KingGbehanzin #BeninRepublic #GratitudeGala #UntoldAfroRenaissance #JoinTheTribe #MACFoundation
Today, we proudly salute our fearless veterans! 🇺🇸✨ Your unwavering courage and sacrifice are the heartbeats of our freedom. We honor you today and every day. 🙌💙Let’s come together to celebrate and express our deepest gratitude. Drop a thank you below and share how you’re honoring our heroes! 🎖️👏#VeteransDay #MidlandsAfricanChamber #JoinTheTribe #WePitchBlack
🎉 The countdown is on—only 5 days left until the Gratitude Gala! Our silent auction is officially live! 🌟 Explore and bid on exclusive items and experiences, all in support of the MAC Foundation’s mission to uplift future leaders through programs like Rising CEOs and Suit Up. Every bid counts, and even if you can’t attend in person, you can still join us online!🎟️ To attend the Gala, buy your tickets at www.fundmac.org/gratitude-gala/#tickets 💻 Start bidding on auction items at https://givebutter.com/c/MSVPgMDon’t miss out—let’s make a difference together!
✨ Only 6 days left until the Gratitude Gala! ✨Prepare for an unforgettable evening filled with celebration, powerful performances, and gratitude as we honor the champions of our community. With DJ Herman setting the vibe, The Untold Afro Renaissance theme will bring to life the beauty, culture, and untold stories of our heritage.This is your chance to experience an evening dedicated to excellence and unity—we can’t wait to see you there!🔗 Tickets available at www.fundmac.org#GratitudeGala #UntoldAfroRenaissance #SupportBIPOC #CelebrateInStyle #MACFoundation #CommunityChampions
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 designed to strengthen, energize, and support startups and small businesses led by BlPOC entrepreneurs in Nebraska and throughout the Midlands. MAC-X identifies black business leaders with impact-oriented solutions, addressing essential community needs while spurring sustainable growth.
In order to cater to a wide audience, the MAC-X program will be held biannually, with one session in the Fall and another in the Spring. Participants in the program will have the opportunity to receive financial incentives and may choose to apply for the Pitch Black competition. However, being part of the MAC-X program does not guarantee participation in the Pitch Black competition or finale.
Completing the MAC-X program will enable cohort members to receive up to $ 1,000 in seed funds.
Pitch Black
Pitch Black is a dynamic conference strategically crafted to fuel entrepreneurship across diverse communities in the Midwest. Our event showcases prominent speakers, a business exposition, and an exciting business pitch competition. The competition is specifically tailored to offer a platform for emerging BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) as well as immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas. Participants have the opportunity to compete for a grand prize of up to $15,000, complemented by invaluable in-kind support surpassing $40,000. This support extends to essential services such as marketing, legal, and accounting, providing crucial assistance for their ventures.
Join the MAC and Pitch Black in promoting entrepreneurship in the black and minority communities in Nebraska, and the Midwest. We need businesses and community partners like you, in order to make this happen.
Suit Up Program
The mission of the Midlands African Chamber’s Suit Up Program is to empower young men and women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, headshot, and job readiness workforce preparation.
This program is designed to create opportunities for teens and young adults in at-risk populations in black and brown, immigrant, and refugee communities so as to inspire and feed the pipeline of future minority entrepreneurs.
Rising CEOs
Rising CEOs is a Leadership and Entrepreneurship program which is made possible by grants of the Omaha Community Foundation, Sherwood Foundation and Weitz Foundation.
The program's goal is to foster entrepreneurial spirit, technology, and leadership skills among at-risk young black and brown girls and boys, between the ages of 14 to 19 years. It is designed to create opportunities for teens in at-risk populations in black and brown, immigrant and refugee communities so to inspire and feed the pipeline of future minority entrepreneurs.
Members Emergency Fund
Our fundamental mission is to connect, empower, and champion black businesses. We believe in the transformative power of unity and collaboration, and the MAC Emergency Fund embodies our dedication to standing by our members when they need it most.
We recognize that unexpected events can jeopardize the very foundations of a business, and our goal is to ensure that our members are well-equipped and well-supported to ensure the continuity of their operations.
Scholarship Fund
The MAC Foundation Scholarships have been established to assist Black, refugee, and immigrant high school seniors and college students studying Accounting, Finance, Law, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). We are pleased to announce the MAC Foundation Scholarship application is open to applicants. We recognize the financial pressure that students frequently experience, and our scholarships program aims to ease some of that burden. Our scholarships are intended to help deserving students who demonstrate a strong commitment to their studies and a passion for their chosen disciplines. We provide $1,000 one-time scholarships that can be utilized for tuition and books.
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.
Upcoming Events
November 2024
2024 Gratitude Gala and Awards
December 2024
Subscribe to our newsletter
Stay updated on chamber news. Receive alerts on memberships, events, and promotions.