Illinois State Black Chamber Of Commerce, Inc.

What Illinois State Black Chamber Of Commerce, Inc. does

The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (ILBCC) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1997 by Dr. Larry D. Ivory and headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. It serves Black-owned businesses across Illinois through a multi-tiered membership program (six tiers from $500 Start-Up to $15,000 President Circle), corporate sponsorships ($2,500–$25,000+), donations, and event fees, with self-reported representation of 100,000+ businesses generating $7B+ in claimed economic impact.

Its core offerings include tiered membership benefits (business development, supplier diversity, procurement assistance, VIP access), twelve industry committees (Banking & Financing, Cannabis, Healthcare, IT, International Trade, etc.), and annual flagship events — the 21st Annual Convention (September 9-10, 2026 at Wind Creek Chicago Southland), Lobby Day in Springfield, and a Zimbabwe Trade Mission. The technology stack is intentionally lightweight: the ilbcc.org website, a Member Portal for self-service, Stripe payment processing, and "The Wake Up Show Chicago" radio program distributed via WVON 1690 AM, HeartRadio, and YouTube podcast.

The business model is diversified across recurring membership subscriptions, annual corporate sponsorships, event/convention fees, and tax-related donations, supplemented by a workforce initiative (Scale Up Illinois, powered by a 2023 partnership with remoting.work) and a separately operated political action committee (ILBCC PAC). Revenue concentration sits in mid-to-large corporate sponsors and convention packages, while the member base is broadly distributed across Illinois SMBs. ILBCC is governed by a 19-member board and operates with a small core staff of approximately six full-time roles.

Name

Illinois State Black Chamber Of Commerce, Inc.

Legal name

Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Website

https://ilbcc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit founded in 1997 in Peoria, Illinois, supporting Black-owned businesses across the state through tiered memberships, advocacy, corporate sponsorships, annual conventions, and workforce development programs like Scale Up Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Association / Chamber of Commerce Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Racial & Ethnic Justice Organizations (BPAGAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Business association services
• Membership chamber commerce
• Minority business advocacy
• Supplier diversity programs
• Small business networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Peoria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees across six tiers: Start-Up ($500), Business Pro ($1,500), Business Advantage ($2,500), Executive ($5,000), Premier ($10,000), and President Circle ($15,000). Revenue generated from recurring annual membership subscriptions from Black-owned businesses across Illinois.
2. Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship tiers ranging from Bronze ($2,500) to Platinum ($25,000+) on the main sponsorship page. Convention-specific sponsorship packages from Silver ($5,000) to Pioneer Platinum ($50,000). Sponsors receive brand visibility, event access, and networking opportunities.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations (501(c)(6) organization) with preset amounts ranging from $25 to $1,000+. Donation page enables one-time contributions to support advocacy, data, and access programs.
4. Convention and Event Fees: Registration fees for annual conventions and special events including the 21st Annual Convention. Early bird discounts available until specific dates. Event-based revenue from ticket sales, vendor booths, and exhibition spaces.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ILBCC is a nonprofit chamber of commerce that sells tiered annual memberships to Black-owned businesses in Illinois, ranging from $500 (Start-Up) to $15,000 (President Circle). Members receive advocacy representation, networking events, business development workshops, supplier diversity support, contract procurement assistance, and access to the Scale Up Illinois workforce program. The organization supplements membership revenue with corporate sponsorships, annual convention fees, donations, and radio programming through the Wake Up Show Chicago on WVON 1690 AM.

Product overview

ILBCC operates as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit chamber of commerce offering a unified portfolio of membership-based programs and events. The core offering is the multi-tiered Membership Programs (Start-Up through President Circle) providing business development, networking, advocacy, and procurement access. This is supplemented by the Scale Up Illinois workforce initiative, the Wake Up Show Chicago radio program, a Member Portal platform, and annual events including the 21st Annual Convention, Lobby Day, and Zimbabwe Trade Mission. Corporate engagement is facilitated through Chamber Sponsorship and Convention Sponsorship packages. The organization also operates the ILBCC PAC for political advocacy. The portfolio centers on economic advancement of Black business in Illinois through 100,000+ member representation and $7B+ economic impact.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wake Up Show Chicago: Weekly radio show broadcast on WVON 1690 AM, HeartRadio and YouTube Podcast, Saturdays 9-10 AM CST, dedicated to empowering and amplifying Black-owned businesses and resources.
• ILBCC PAC
• Scale Up Illinois

Products and services

• ILBCC Membership Programs Multi-tiered annual membership program for Black-owned businesses in Illinois with six tiers (Start-Up $500, Business Pro $1,500, Business Advantage $2,500, Executive $5,000, Premier $10,000, President Circle $15,000) offering progressively richer benefits including advocacy representation, networking, supplier diversity opportunities, contract procurement assistance, event visibility, VIP access, and quarterly executive meetings.
• Chamber Corporate Sponsorship Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ businesses represented across Illinois
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered featured, core and minor.

• remoting.workfeaturedStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing ILBCC members access to vetted, full-time/fractional employees from global talent pools at starting rates of $6/hour. Addresses hiring cost barriers preventing Black-owned businesses from growing. Includes Employer of Record coverage and single-platform management for hires.
• Joseph Business SchoolfeaturedStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccredited institution partnership equipping entrepreneurs with 20+ years of programs in business and wealth creation. Joint mission to eradicate generational poverty through knowledge. ACCET Nationally Accredited institution providing skills that turn opportunity into long-term success.
• U.S. Chamber of CommercecoreOthersILBCC is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, providing credibility and national-level representation for Black business interests.
• National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Larry D. Ivory is a founding member and past Chairman of NBCC, which represents over 2 million Black-owned businesses. ILBCC has affiliate connections in countries across the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
• Wind Creek Chicago SouthlandminorOthersHost venue for the 21st Annual Convention on September 9-10, 2026 in East Hazel Crest, Illinois.
• AetnaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting ILBCC events and initiatives.
• Allwyn North AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting ILBCC events and initiatives.
• Ameren IllinoisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor and partner, with representative Brian Leonard serving as Sr. Director Government Affairs and providing testimonial on partnership value.
• AT&TminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting ILBCC events and initiatives.
• Ardmore RoderickminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor and construction/engineering firm past sponsor.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of IllinoisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting ILBCC events and initiatives.
• International Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerILBCC works with the International Chamber of Commerce to expand member reach on the global stage.
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic OpportunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner referenced in joint report on Illinois Statewide Black Business Survey (2023) alongside Chicago State University and Chicago Urban League.
• Chicago State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in joint Illinois Statewide Black Business Survey (2023) documenting 180,000+ Black-owned firms in Illinois.
• Chicago Urban LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in joint Illinois Statewide Black Business Survey (2023).
• Flowers Communications GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPR/marketing firm sponsor with testimonial from CEO Michelle Flowers Welch noting chamber's impact on opening doors to private clients and state agencies.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): Federal agency dedicated to promoting minority business growth and access to capital and contracts; a primary funder and coordinator in the same ecosystem ILBCC serves, though operating as a government entity.
• National Urban League: National civil rights and urban advocacy organization with extensive economic empowerment programming for Black entrepreneurs and communities; broader portfolio but overlapping mission and constituency.

Others

• Joseph Business School: ACCET-accredited business and wealth-creation education institution and a formal ILBCC strategic partner; shares ILBCC's mission of Black economic empowerment and offers comparable programming on a fee-for-education basis.
• SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives): National nonprofit providing free mentorship and education to small businesses, including minority-owned firms; overlapping target audience and educational programming but operating as a volunteer-driven mentorship network rather than a membership chamber.

Direct peers

• U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. National Black chamber organization advocating for African American businesses and entrepreneurs; operates through affiliated local and state chambers with a model highly comparable to ILBCC's.
• National Black Chamber of Commerce: National-level federation of Black chambers of commerce representing2M+ Black-owned businesses. ILBCC's founder is a founding member and past Chairman; this is the most direct peer at the national scale.
• Chicago Urban League: Regional nonprofit serving the Black community in Chicago/Illinois with economic empowerment programming; co-partnered with ILBCC on the 2023 Illinois Statewide Black Business Survey, indicating direct operational overlap.

Regional players

• Greater Peoria Chamber of Commerce: General-purpose local chamber based in ILBCC's home city; comparable membership/sponsorship model and geographic footprint but not specifically focused on minority business advocacy.
• Chicago Metro Regional Chamber of Commerce (CMRC): Regional business chamber serving the Chicago metro area with similar membership tiers, sponsorship programs, and advocacy focus, but without ILBCC's minority-business-specific positioning.
• Georgia Minority Business Development Council: State-level minority chamber equivalent serving Black and minority-owned businesses in Georgia; comparable structure, mission, and revenue model (membership + corporate sponsorships) but operating in a different state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@wakeupshowchicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/illinoisstateblackchamberofcommerce

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Illinois State Black Chamber Of Commerce, Inc.