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
🔥💡 The Countdown Is ON! 💡🔥 Join us for a special edition of MAC Power Hour as we unveil the 2025 Pitch Black Finalists! 🚀 🗓 Thursday, May 15 🕠 5:30 p.m. CST 📍 Facebook Live — Don’t miss it! 🎤 Meet the brilliant minds behind the boldest Black-led startups. 🎯 Get exclusive insights on the upcoming finale. 🏆 Be part of the excitement that shapes the future of innovation! ✨ Whether you’re a business leader, investor, or supporter of Black excellence — this is your front-row seat to greatness. 🔗 Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit @midlandsafricanchamber.inc to tune in LIVE! #PitchBlack2025 #WePitchBlack #MACPowerHour #BlackInnovation #BusinessUnusual #MidlandsAfricanChamber #BlackExcellence #Entrepreneurship
📣 Nonprofit leaders, this one’s for you! Join us for an inspiring Mission & Meals luncheon featuring Beth Morrissette, CEO of Parlay Consulting. 💼✨ 🗓 May 21, 2025 | 🕦 11:30 AM 📍 Midlands African Chamber, Inc. | 7930 Blondo Street, Suite 200, Omaha, NE This exclusive event is for nonprofit members only — don’t miss the chance to connect, grow, and learn from a powerhouse in strategy and leadership! 🚀 👉 RSVP by May 14: https://forms.gle/g7ZZpB8RUzsuKnx16 #MissionAndMeals #MACEvents #BethMorrissette #NonprofitLeadership #MACCommunity #MidlandsAfricanChamber
🚨 Pitch Black 2025 needs YOU! 🖤 Be part of the powerhouse team making magic happen on Friday, June 27 — from logistics to guest services, your support brings innovation & Black excellence to life! 🙌🏾🎤✨ 🔗 Sign up now: wepitchblack.com/volunteer 💼💪🏾 #PitchBlack2025 #WePitchBlack #VolunteerWithMAC #BlackExcellence #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork 🛠️🖤🔥
🔥 Meet the visionary behind the movement! 🎤 Karine Sokpoh Kouassi, CEO of the Midlands African Chamber, Inc., is leading the charge at Pitch Black Conference 2025 — and she’s just getting started! 💼✨ 🚀 Join us on June 27 at 8AM at Embassy Suites Downtown for a power-packed day of bold ideas, breakthrough innovation, and unapologetic Black excellence. 💥 This is YOUR time to connect, elevate, and celebrate 5 years of impact. 🎟 Secure your spot NOW → https://maci.betterworld.org/events/pitch-black-conference-2025. Let’s fuel the future. Together. 🖤🧡 #WePitchBlack #PitchBlack2025 #BlackInnovation #EmpoweringVisions #FuelingSuccess #MACLeads #MidlandsAfricanChamber #BlackExcellence #BlackBusiness #BlackEntrepreneurs #CommunityImpact #SupportBlackBusiness #InnovationInBlack #MACMovement
🎊 The countdown is ON — just 7 DAYS ‘til we turn ALL the way up at the Pitch Black 2025 LAUNCH PARTY! 🥳🖤🧡 🎤 5 YEARS of Black excellence 🔥 BIG surprises and exclusive reveals 💃🏾 Vibes. Energy. Legacy. 🎟 Tickets? Going FAST. Grab yours NOW: www.wepitchblack.com This isn’t just an event — it’s a MOVEMENT. Let’s celebrate, elevate, and innovate together. 💼✨ #PitchBlack2025 #MACLaunchParty #WePitchBlack #BlackInnovation #CountdownToBlackExcellence #CelebrateWithMAC #MidlandsAfricanChamber
🧡🔥 COPPER SPONSOR – FUELING THE FUTURE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP! 🔥🧡 A huge thank you to American National Bank, our Copper Sponsor, for standing with Black entrepreneurs at Pitch Black 2025! Your support is helping visionaries turn ideas into thriving businesses, building a stronger and more innovative future! 🚀 5 YEARS STRONG, and we’re just getting started! Because of American National Bank, we continue to provide opportunities, mentorship, and funding to the next generation of game-changers! 🎟️ Join us in celebrating bold entrepreneurship—secure your ticket today at https://maci.betterworld.org/events/pitch-black-conference-2025. 💥 It’s not too late to get involved! If you’re looking to align your brand with innovation, Black excellence, and economic empowerment, become a sponsor today! Learn more at https://wepitchblack.com/sponsorship/. 🔥 Let’s show up, show out, and support the future of Black business! #PitchBlack2025 #CopperSponsor #5YearsOfInnovation #MACBiz #MidlandsAfricanChamber #WePitchBlack #EntrepreneurshipElevated #SupportBlackExcellence #GameChangers
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
May 2025
Contractors Connect Luncheon – Hosted by MCL Construction
June 2025
2025 Pitch Black Conference
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