Dr. Velma Trayham and the Black Chamber of Arizona Expand Accelerator to Empower Black and Minority-Owned Businesses Across the State and Nation
Nationwide — Phoenix is cementing its status as one of the nation’s fastest-growing hubs for Black entrepreneurship, thanks in large part to the work of the Black Chamber of Arizona, led by powerhouse CEO Dr. Velma Trayham. This month, the Chamber launched the third cohort of its signature business accelerator, Impact AZ 2025, advancing its mission to create economic pathways for underserved entrepreneurs across Arizona and beyond.
“This work isn’t just about programs — it’s about impact,” said Dr. Velma Trayham. “We’re building a legacy of economic mobility that stretches across communities and generations.”
Dr. Velma Trayham: Business Builder. National Leader.
Dr. Trayham is no amateur when it comes to building businesses — she’s a business builder. As a nationally respected consultant to government agencies and Fortune 500 companies, she’s spent her career designing systems that unlock access to capital, mentorship, and markets for underserved founders.
She is also the founder of multiple high-performing enterprises and the visionary behind the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, which has helped over 8,000 entrepreneurs nationwide start, grow, and scale their businesses.
With Impact AZ, Dr. Trayham has built a scalable, results-driven curriculum now housed in the Impact AZ mobile app, making business education more accessible than ever for minority entrepreneurs across the country.
Chamber with a National Footprint
While headquartered in Phoenix, the Black Chamber of Arizona’s membership spans the country, with business owners from coast to coast joining to tap into its strategic resources, training, and corporate network.
The Impact AZ 2025 Accelerator has already helped alumni generate over $5 million in new contracts and revenue. This year’s 23 new cohort members — selected from over
500 applicants — will complete a nine-month, no-cost accelerator featuring contract-readiness training, corporate mentorship, and executive-level coaching.
A High-Powered Leadership Team
The Black Chamber of Arizona has curated a board of visionary, senior-level leaders who help drive this movement forward:
• Ryan Garlington, Co-Chair and Senior Leader, Cox Communications
• Christine Abdulla, Senior Executive, Bank of America
• Shamia Lodge, National Advocate for Justice-Impacted Entrepreneurs
• Dr. Sharon Smith, Senior Executive, Arizona State University
Together with Dr. Trayham, this leadership group is redefining what inclusive economic development looks like.
Closing Gaps, Opening Doors
Despite Black Arizonans comprising 5% of the state’s population, they account for only 1% of employer-owned firms — a statistic the Chamber is determined to change through programs like Impact AZ.
“Arizona is home to untapped genius and limitless ambition in our Black communities,” said Dr. Trayham. “We’re unlocking it — and putting it to work.”
Supported by top-tier partners including Cox Communications, Bank of America, APS, SRP, National Bank of Arizona, and Arizona State University, Impact AZ continues to scale in both reach and results.
About Dr. Velma Trayham
Dr. Velma Trayham is a nationally acclaimed business builder, strategist, and consultant to government and Fortune 500 leaders. She is the CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona, founder of Millionaire Mastermind Academy, and creator of the Impact AZ curriculum. Her work has empowered over 8,000 entrepreneurs across the U.S. and continues to reshape economic opportunity for underserved communities.
About the Black Chamber of Arizona
Founded in 1995, the Black Chamber of Arizona champions small businesses across the
U.S. through high-impact programming, strategic partnerships, and long-lasting economic initiatives. With a growing national membership, the Chamber is scaling its influence while deepening its impact in Arizona through initiatives like Impact AZ.
Learn more about the chamber at BlackChamberAZ.org
Also, be sure to follow the chamber on Instagram and Facebook
