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
🔥 CULTURE. CAPITAL. CHANGE. 🔥 Congratulations to Sharnelle Shelton , founder of CoreScience BioDiagnostics, winner of the 2026 Pitch Black Competition! 🖤👏🏾She took home the grand prize valued at $52,133 consisting of $10,000 cash, plus, $20,000 marketing credit with Ervin & Smith, $10,000 in Midlands Business Journal marketing, $1,000 in bookkeeping, from D & K Financial, $1,500 credit for legal services at 402Legal, QuickBooks Training with Nebraska Enterprise Fund, financial planning with MVEST Wealth, a full page ad in Omaha Star Newspaper, one-year membership to the MAC Chamber, two executive coaching sessions with the Pitch Black Finale judges, and 1 year of office space at Modus Coworking. This year’s theme, Culture. Capital. Change., came alive through founders like Sharnelle, whose vision represents the future of entrepreneurship and community impact. Pitch Black continues to be a movement creating access, visibility, and economic transformation for underestimated founders. Congratulations again to CoreScience BioDiagnostics on this incredible achievement! 🚀 #PitchBlack2026 #CultureCapitalChange #MidlandsAfricanChamber #BlackExcellence #Entrepreneurship
Happy National Small Business Week from the MAC Chamber. This week, we celebrate the entrepreneurs, dreamers, builders, and risk-takers who continue to shape our communities and economies through resilience, innovation, and courage. Small businesses are more than storefronts and services. They are job creators. Culture shifters. Community anchors. They are families building legacy, immigrants creating opportunity, and visionaries turning ideas into impact. At MAC, we remain committed to connecting, empowering, and championing Black, immigrant, and minority-owned businesses across the Midwest and beyond. We see your hustle. We honor your sacrifice. And we celebrate your growth. To every entrepreneur betting on themselves every single day: thank you for building the future with us. #NationalSmallBusinessWeek #MAC Chamber #SupportSmallBusiness #BlackBusiness #AfricanEntrepreneurs #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #EconomicEmpowerment #CultureCapitalChange
🏆 Congratulations to @shinniceg of Zuri and Me, Runner Up of the 2026 Pitch Black Competition! She won our second place package, valued at $15,391.50 including $5,000 in business funding, marketing with Ervin & Smith, Midlands Business Journal marketing, credit for services at 402Legal , an ad in Omaha Star Newspaper, a financial consultation with MVEST Wealth, membership to the MAC Chamber, and office space at Modus Coworking. We are proud to celebrate founders who are not waiting for opportunity, they are building it. Congratulations again on this well-deserved recognition! ✨🖤 #PitchBlack2026 #CultureCapitalChange #MACTribe #EconomicEmpowerment #BlackFounders
💡 CULTURE DRIVES INNOVATION. 💰 CAPITAL CREATES ACCESS. 🚀 CHANGE HAPPENS THROUGH BOLD LEADERSHIP. Congratulations to @regina.jackson.54 of ART of Homecare Training, 3rd place winner of the 2026 Pitch Black Competition! 👏🏾 Regina won a total package prize of $11,391.50. $2500 cash in business funding, marketing with Ervin & Smith, Midlands Business Journal marketing, credit for services at 402Legal, an ad in Omaha Star Newspaper, a financial consultation with MVEST Wealth, membership to the MAC Chamber, and office space at Modus Coworking. ART of Homecare Training embodied this year’s theme, Culture. Capital. Change., and we are excited to see what comes next on their journey. The future is being built right here. And it is powerful. 🖤 #PitchBlack2026 #CultureCapitalChange #MidlandsAfricanChamber #Innovation #Entrepreneurship
🏆 Congratulations to @rachelle.gai and @destiny.williams.52643 of Upstitch’d Studio, 4th place and Investor’s Pick winners of the 2026 Pitch Black Competition! They won our 4th place package, including $6000 in business funding, membership to MAC Chamber, and Quickbooks Training from Nebraska Enterprise Fund. A package total of $6,650 in funding. Under this year’s theme, Culture. Capital. Change., Upstitch’d Studio demonstrated the power of innovative thinking rooted in purpose, resilience, and community. We are proud to celebrate founders who are not waiting for opportunity, they are building it. Congratulations again on this well-deserved recognition! ✨🖤 #PitchBlack2026 #CultureCapitalChange #MACTribe #EconomicEmpowerment #BlackFounders
🏆 Congratulations to @imshaticearchie of Nava Living Co., 5th place winner of the 2026 Pitch Black Competition! She won our 5th place package, including $1000 in business funding, membership to MAC Chamber, and Quickbooks Training from Nebraska Enterprise Fund. A package total of $1,650 in funding. Under this year’s theme, Culture. Capital. Change., Nava Living Co. demonstrated the power of innovative thinking rooted in purpose, resilience, and community. We are proud to celebrate founders who are not waiting for opportunity, they are building it. Congratulations again on this well-deserved recognition! ✨🖤 #PitchBlack2026 #CultureCapitalChange #MACTribe #EconomicEmpowerment #BlackFounders
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
May 2026
July 2026
Taste of the Midwest Culinary Road Trip
November 2026
MAC Foundation | Gratitude Gala & Awards 2026
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