GLAAACC President Angela Gibson  Congresswoman Laura Richardson

The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) will be celebrating their 15th Annual Economic Awards Dinner, March 20, at the Sheraton Hotel, California Ballroom, 711 S. Hope St., downtown; 5:30 p.m., Reception; 7 p.m. Dinner and Program.

GLAAACC President Angela Gibson stated, “This year’s dinner theme is “Building Economic and Political Coalitions,” Our gala highlights the importance of business and political relationships from the small business person to those in Fortune 500 corporations.”

This year’s honorees include Congresswoman Laura Richardson, United States Congress, 37th District; Commissioner Timothy A. Simon, California Public Utilities Commission; Judy Chu, Vice Chair, State Board of Equalization; and Victor MacFarlane, Managing Principal, MacFarlane Partners. These individuals are being honored for their intrinsic role in developing Political Coalitions and supporting African American businesses.

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. will serve as the 2008 Dinner Chair. The evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies will be Ms. Nischelle Turner of KTTV Fox 11’s News Team. Invited Dinner guests include Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

GLAAACC has recently established the premiere Business Evolution Program (BEP). The new members-only program will assist one business per year, reach the next level of economic success. With the assistance of GLAAACC’s Corporate Advisory Board and its Board of Directors, the BEP Committee selects a business that will become the recipient of all the GLAAACC business development resources.

Gibson, one of the organizations earliest members, is serving in her second year as President, cites BEP as a example of why she is committed to GLAAACC’s vision and has been involved with the chamber since it began.

“GLAAACC’s immediate goal is to increase African American participation in the multi-billion dollar Los Angeles County business arena. This is something that is very compelling to me, not just in my role as president GLAAAC, but in my work,” stated Gibson. As Director of External Affairs at the Fortune 50 corporation, AT&T, she serves on several boards, contributing to the empowerment of various organizations and individuals.

GLAAACC was established in 1991 by a group of business owners and executives including Gibson, led by current GLAAACC Chairman Gene Hale, President of G&C Equipment Corp. and Homer Broome, President, Marvid Associates. Their vision was to create an organization that would serve as an advocate for African American-owned business enterprises and promote their growth and expansion into the international arena. In keeping with their mission, GLAAACC has been active in its advocacy and support of African American business enterprise by providing programs and services to assist in its growth and development.

GLAAACC held the 1st Economic Awards Dinner in 1994, chaired by Sam Iacobellis of Rockwell International with keynote speaker Daniel S. Goldin, administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Since that time, the annual dinner has grown in size and stature with such notable keynotes as Hazel O’Leary, U.S. Secretary of Energy; Rodney Slater, U.S. Secretary of Transportation; Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, Los Angeles County Supervisor; Alexis Herman, U.S. Secretary of Labor; and former LA Governor Gray Davis.

“I have been involved with the GLAAACC Dinners in some capacity since the beginning. I’m not being partial, but the dinners keep getting better,” stated Gibson.

For more information on the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce and the 15th Annual Economic Awards Dinner visit www.glaaacc.org or call GLAAACC at (323) 292-1297 and for additional dinner information, contact Personal Services Plus, Inc. Event Management Company at (626) 791-3847 or

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