National executive strategist and Black Chamber of Arizona CEO joins distinguished judging panel as five nonprofits will receive $50,000 grants through a national initiative launched by PMI U.S. and administered in partnership with Arizona State University
Nationwide — Dr. Velma Trayham, nationally recognized executive strategist, entrepreneur, and President & CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona, has been selected to serve as a national judge for the Community Futures Challenge, a national initiative launched by PMI U.S. and administered in partnership with Arizona State University. The Challenge will award five $50,000 grants, totaling $250,000, to eligible nonprofit organizations advancing practical, community-driven solutions across the United States. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working in areas such as workforce development, economic mobility, public infrastructure, civic technology, entrepreneurship, and other initiatives that materially strengthen communities.
She is using her appointment to help broaden awareness of the opportunity among nonprofit leaders and community-based organizations that may not traditionally have access to national corporate funding networks. Applications are open through Nov. 30, 2026. Nonprofits can learn more and apply at america250cfc.org.
For Trayham, the appointment represents both a national leadership milestone and an opportunity to help elevate community-based organizations developing solutions to some of the country’s most persistent economic and social challenges. “There are extraordinary organizations doing transformative work in communities across America, but too often they lack the capital, visibility and relationships needed to take that work to the next level,” she said. “I want nonprofit leaders — particularly those closest to the challenges they are solving — to know that this opportunity exists and to apply.”
She has spent more than a decade working at the intersection of entrepreneurship, economic mobility, corporate strategy and community development. Through her leadership and business ventures, she has helped thousands of entrepreneurs launch and scale businesses while building relationships across corporate America, government, economic-development organizations, media and community institutions. Her selection to the national panel reflects an expanding role as an executive strategist and advisor working across public, private, and community sectors.
Arizona State University is serving as the initiative’s judging partner, bringing academic rigor, national reach and innovation expertise to the selection process. The national judging panel is chaired by Dr. Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan, University Professor at Arizona State University and former director of the U.S. National Science Foundation. The panel brings together leaders from entrepreneurship, technology, academia, finance, military leadership, media, and public policy. The judging process will advance the top 25 applications to the national judging panel, which will select five grant recipients.
Expanding National Access and Opportunity
Trayham said one of her priorities throughout her career has been connecting entrepreneurs, organizations, and communities to opportunities that might otherwise remain outside their immediate networks. That philosophy has also guided her leadership of the Black Chamber of Arizona, where she has worked to expand the organization’s reach beyond traditional geographic boundaries and connect Arizona businesses with national corporations, institutions, and economic opportunities.
“Access matters,” she said. “Part of leadership is making sure opportunities do not remain concentrated within the same networks. When we gain access to national relationships, capital and decision-makers, we have a responsibility to build bridges so others can participate.” Through Thinkzilla Consulting Group, she is also expanding her work nationally as an executive strategist and advisor to corporations and institutions navigating business growth, reputation, stakeholder engagement, public-private partnerships, and economic impact.
Her advisory approach focuses on helping organizations understand how corporate strategy, community relationships, communications, reputation, and economic opportunity intersect, particularly as companies seek to grow while maintaining trust with the communities and stakeholders they serve.
Who Should Apply
The Community Futures Challenge is open to eligible U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations across all 50 states. Projects must serve adults age 21 and older within a defined U.S. community and may be early-stage, pilot, or scaling initiatives. Applicants do not have to be located in one of the Challenge’s Innovation Tour cities. The program is particularly interested in solutions that are specific, measurable, and capable of being replicated, including work involving:
• Entrepreneurship and small-business development
• Workforce development
• Economic mobility
• Public infrastructure
• Civic technology
• Community innovation and opportunity
Apply by Nov. 30, 2026: america250cfc.org
About
Dr. Velma Trayham is an executive strategist, entrepreneur, national bestselling author, and President & CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona. She is founder and CEO of Thinkzilla Consulting Group, a strategic advisory firm working with corporations, institutions and leaders on business growth, stakeholder strategy, reputation, public-private partnerships and economic impact. She is a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and has helped more than 8,000 minority- and women-owned businesses launch and scale. Her work focuses on creating pathways to entrepreneurship, ownership, and economic mobility.
For press inquiries, contact Thinkzilla Consulting Group at info@thinkzillaconsulting.com
