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Black Brand

EIN 81-3953180 · Norfolk, VA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak20 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

"BRAND" STANDS FOR BUSINESS RESEARCH ANALYTICS NETWORKING AND DEVELOPMENT. BLACK BRAND IS THE BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THE HAMPTON ROADS, VA AREA, WHOSE MISSION IS TO PROMOTE GROUP ECONOMICS THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT. AS THE BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO TRANSFORM OUR LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL COMMUNITY THROUGH UNITY, EDUCATION, ACCESS, OPPORTUNITY, AND DEVELOPMENT. DURING 2023 71% OF PARTICIPANTS WERE WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES, 40% OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS RESIDED IN LOW OR MODERATE INCOME ZIP CODES, AND 20% OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WERE MILITARY AFFILIATED.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
-0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
7
Volunteers
57
Highest pay
$102,900, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 20 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 157% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. IN 2023, B-FORCE ACCELERATOR NURTURED 140 BUSINESSES, MANY OF WHOM ARE PROVIDING CRITICAL SERVICE IN HAMPTON ROADS EVERY DAY. IN ADDITION TO THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED, BUSINESS OWNERS BENEFITED IN THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT WAYS: 1. B-FORCE ACCELERATOR AWARDED 71,000 IN FUNDING TO 20 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. 2. 65 B-FORCE PARTICIPANTS REPORTED HAVING ACCESSED A TOTAL OF 1,650,794 IN CAPITAL. 3. B-FORCE ACCELERATOR EXPANDED ITS SERVICE AREA TO ACCEPT BUSINESSES ACROSS THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION, AND PARTNERED WITH THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO ENSURE THAT ALL PORTSMOUTH COHORT PROGRAM GRADUATES WOULD QUALIFY TO RECEIVE ITS 2000 AND/OR 5000 GRANT. 4. BLACK BRAND CURATED A POPUP EVENT FOR EACH OF ITS FIVE COHORTS WHEREBY THE COMMUNITY COULD COME OUT, LEARN ABOUT AND SHOP WITH LOCAL MERCHANTS. 5. BLACK BRAND ORGANIZED A SUCCESSFUL CASH MOB EVENT FOR ONE DESERVING BUSINESS DURING EACH COHORT WHERE THE ENTIRE COHORT COMMITTED TO COMING OUT, BRINGING A FRIEND, AND SPENDING AT LEAST 20. 6. BLACK BRAND PROVIDED COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS WHICH TURNED INTO A NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATIONS AND JOINT VENTURES. 7. BLACK BRAND WORKED ONE ON ONE WITH BUSINESSES NOT ONLY TO PREPARE THEM BUT TO CURATE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM BASED ON THEIR UNIQUE PROFILES, RESULTING IN A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES RECEIVING THEIR FIRST EVER CAPITAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FORM OF GRANTS, BUSINESS CREDIT CARDS, LINES OF CREDIT, AND PITCH CONTEST WINNINGS FROM ACROSS THE REGION. WOMEN WHO LEAD IS A 12-WEEK PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACCELERATOR THAT HELPS MINORITY WOMEN (PRIORITIZING LMI CANDIDATES) IMPROVE THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS, ACCESS TRADITIONALLY MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRIES, AND GAIN CERTIFICATIONS TO OBTAIN HIGHER PAYING WAGES OR ACCESS TO CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NSU, PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPOSED TO 58 SUBJECT-MATTER EXPERTS. 75% OF PARTICIPANTS MATRICULATED INTO WWL SOCIETY FOR ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. 15% OF PARTICIPANTS INCREASED THEIR PAY DURING OR AFTER THE 12-WEEK COHORT. 20% OF COHORT MEMBERS TOOK CLASSES TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATION. 30% OF PARTICIPANTS OBTAINED COMMUNITY-BASED LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. 10% OF PARTICIPANTS MATRICULATED INTO OTHER PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. BLACK DIAMOND WEEKEND 2023 EXPANDED ITS OFFERING TO CREATE A FREE TRACK CALLED 757 BIAS WHICH INCLUDED AN OPPORTUNITY FAIR AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TOWN HALL, INTRODUCING PARTICIPANTS TO THE INVALUABLE RESOURCES THAT EXIST ACROSS THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION. IN ADDITION TO FOUR OTHER VALUE-PACKED TRACKS, PARTICIPANTS WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN CEUS THROUGH TCC FOR THE COURSES TAKEN. THE 8TH ANNUAL BLACK DIAMOND AFFAIR AWARDED KEY LEADERS IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES: EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION: MICHELLE WREN- PORTSMOUTH PARTNERSHIP LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN BUSINESS: DR. KEITH NEWBY - FORT NORFOLK MEDICAL PLAZA COMMUNITY IMPACT: TRUIST ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR: DIAMOND GORMAN- REA-D EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, LLC EXCELLENCE IN NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP: ANTHONY WALTERS - YMCA EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP - NNEKA CHIAZOR- COX COMMUNICATIONS EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH EQUITY- DANA BECKTON - SENTARA HEALTH EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC RELATIONS- KELLI WEBB- KBD GROUP LLC EXCELLENCE IN ENTERTAINMENT- TONY BROTHERS- BROTHERS RESTAURANT BDW 2023 FEATURED 70+ HOURS OF CONTENT, 75 SPEAKERS ACROSS 3 DAYS, 451 PARTICIPANTS, 1 GRANT GIVEN TO BLACK HEALTH-INDUSTRY BUSINESS, AND 9 COMMUNITY BLACK DIAMOND AWARDS. IN 2023, B-FORCE ACCELERATOR NURTURED 140 BUSINESSES, MANY OF WHOM ARE PROVIDING CRITICAL SERVICE IN HAMPTON ROADS EVERY DAY. IN ADDITION TO THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED, BUSINESS OWNERS BENEFITED IN THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT WAYS: 1. B-FORCE ACCELERATOR AWARDED 71,000 IN FUNDING TO 20 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. 2. 65 B-FORCE PARTICIPANTS REPORTED HAVING ACCESSED A TOTAL OF 1,650,794 IN CAPITAL. 3. B-FORCE ACCELERATOR EXPANDED ITS SERVICE AREA TO ACCEPT BUSINESSES ACROSS THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION, AND PARTNERED WITH THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO ENSURE THAT ALL PORTSMOUTH COHORT PROGRAM GRADUATES WOULD QUALIFY TO RECEIVE ITS 2000 AND/OR 5000 GRANT. 4. BLACK BRAND CURATED A POPUP EVENT FOR EACH OF ITS FIVE COHORTS WHEREBY THE COMMUNITY COULD COME OUT, LEARN ABOUT AND SHOP WITH LOCAL MERCHANTS. 5. BLACK BRAND ORGANIZED A SUCCESSFUL CASH MOB EVENT FOR ONE DESERVING BUSINESS DURING EACH COHORT WHERE THE ENTIRE COHORT COMMITTED TO COMING OUT, BRINGING A FRIEND, AND SPENDING AT LEAST 20. 6. BLACK BRAND PROVIDED COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS WHICH TURNED INTO A NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATIONS AND JOINT VENTURES. 7. BLACK BRAND WORKED ONE ON ONE WITH BUSINESSES NOT ONLY TO PREPARE THEM BUT TO CURATE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM BASED ON THEIR UNIQUE PROFILES, RESULTING IN A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES RECEIVING THEIR FIRST EVER CAPITAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FORM OF GRANTS, BUSINESS CREDIT CARDS, LINES OF CREDIT, AND PITCH CONTEST WINNINGS FROM ACROSS THE REGION. WOMEN WHO LEAD IS A 12-WEEK PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACCELERATOR THAT HELPS MINORITY WOMEN (PRIORITIZING LMI CANDIDATES) IMPROVE THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS, ACCESS TRADITIONALLY MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRIES, AND GAIN CERTIFICATIONS TO OBTAIN HIGHER PAYING WAGES OR ACCESS TO CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NSU, PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPOSED TO 58 SUBJECT-MATTER EXPERTS. 75% OF PARTICIPANTS MATRICULATED INTO WWL SOCIETY FOR ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. 15% OF PARTICIPANTS INCREASED THEIR PAY DURING OR AFTER THE 12-WEEK COHORT. 20% OF COHORT MEMBERS TOOK CLASSES TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATION. 30% OF PARTICIPANTS OBTAINED COMMUNITY-BASED LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. 10% OF PARTICIPANTS MATRICULATED INTO OTHER PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. BLACK DIAMOND WEEKEND 2023 EXPANDED ITS OFFERING TO CREATE A FREE TRACK CALLED 757 BIAS WHICH INCLUDED AN OPPORTUNITY FAIR AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TOWN HALL, INTRODUCING PARTICIPANTS TO THE INVALUABLE RESOURCES THAT EXIST ACROSS THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION. IN ADDITION TO FOUR OTHER VAL

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.