Build Wealth. Build Power. Build Together.
MAC connects you to capital, high-value relationships, and strategic coaching so your business doesn’t just survive: it scales.
- Access funding.
- Secure contracts
- Grow your influence.
- Accelerate your revenue.
This is where serious entrepreneurs come to grow.
Welcome to the Midlands African Chamber
We connect, empower, and champion businesses.
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
1 Day to Go! Join us for Umoja Forum Tomorrow! Join us Wednesday, March 11 at 6 PM on Facebook Live for an engaging discussion on how community members can connect with local government, advocate for key issues, and make a real impact. Hear from civic leaders and elected officials. Panelists: • @Brad Christian-Sallis – Chief Power Officer, Nebraska Civic Engagement Table • @LaVonya Goodwin – Omaha City Council Member • @Y’Shall Davis – Civic Engagement Strategist, Nebraska Civic Engagement Table • @Pete Festerson – Omaha City Council Member • @Mary Ann Borgeson – Douglas County Board of Commissioners Date: Wed, March 11, 2026 Time: 6–7 PM Where: Facebook Live Host: Fidele Mienso Check the flyer for full details and tune in! Your voice matters!
Each year, Walmart’s Open Call brings our commitment to U.S. manufacturing to life — connecting entrepreneurs with the opportunity to scale their products and their impact. They’re kicking off the Road to Open Call 2026, and the journey to October 6-7, 2026 starts now. 📍 This Year’s Tour Stops include: April 9: Los Angeles, CA (Applications close March 20) April 15: New Orleans, LA (Applications close March 27) May 14: Dallas, TX (Applications close April 24) May 21: Orlando, FL (Applications close May 1) May 25–29 (TBC): Baltimore, MD (Applications close May 8) June 11: Indianapolis, IN (Applications close May 22) June 18: Salt Lake City, UT (Applications close May 29) June 24: Atlanta, GA (Applications close June 5) The nationwide tour is bringing innovation, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit to communities across the country as we build toward this year’s Open Call event. Learn more at https://walmart.com/RoadtoOpenCall
Who will walk away with $10,000 in funding? Who will be investors' pick? What businesses will be part of the expo? The answer to these questions and many more lies on the other side of this registration link: https://wepitchblack.com Buy your ticket and be a part of Pitch Black 2026! #wepitchblack #culturecapitalchange #midlandsafricanchamber #jointhetribe #pitchblack2026
🎤 Meet the Speaker: Karine Sokpoh! 🎤 Karine Sokpoh, CEO of the Midlands African Chamber, will take the stage at Pitch Black 2026! With a passion for empowering communities and driving innovation, Karine brings powerful insights and fresh perspectives that will inspire and energize. 🗓️ Catch her live on May 2nd at MCC Fort Omaha Campus 🎟️ Don’t miss this — grab your ticket today at https://wepitchblack.com #wepitchblack #midlandsafricanchamber #entrepreneurship #culturecapitalchange #jointhetribe #businessconference #omahaevents #powerfulvoices
Deadline Approaching: 2026 MAC Foundation Scholarship Drive Closes March 31! There’s just one month left to support the 2026 MAC Foundation Scholarship Drive! Since 2023, we’ve awarded 44 scholarships totaling $44,000, helping high school and college students from BIPOC, refugee, and immigrant communities achieve their educational goals. In 2025, 20 students received scholarships. With your support, we can award 20 more $1,000 scholarships in 2026 to students pursuing Accounting, Finance, Law, and STEM. How you can help: • Contribute any amount • Sponsor a scholar with a one-time or recurring pledge • All gifts are 100% tax-deductible Donate: https://fundmac.org/mac-foundation-2025-scholarship-drive/ Pledge or give monthly: https://fundmac.org/mac-foundation-scholarship-donors-pledge-form/ Act now—your generosity opens doors, sparks ambition, and empowers tomorrow’s leaders! #MACFoundation #ScholarshipSupport #InvestInStudents #EducationEquity #FutureLeaders
🚨Investors Meet Up is approaching🚨 Meet with business leaders from the Nebraska Enterprise Fund, JPMorgan Chase Bank, International Council for Refugees and Immigrants, NMotion, and Omaha 100! We will have networking, Investor Speed Dating, and catered dinner. We would love for you to join us! RSVP at this link: https://forms.gle/8qP2kqCzUqiepau58 #midlandsafricanchamber #jointhetribe #wepitchblack #entrepreneurship #businessgrowth #macxcelerator #investmentopportunities #investorsmeetup #omahaevents
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
Postponed
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
March 2026
Umoja Forum™ | Your Voice Matters: Get Involved in Local Government
MAC Foundation Suit Up | Career Readiness Program
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