Black Business Association Of Oregon Launches Strategic Roadmap To Guide Legislative Action For Economic Equity
- 03/11/26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2026
Media Contact:
Monice Wong, Media Relations Manager
Portland Metro Chamber
mwong@portlandalliance.com
Black Business Association of Oregon Launches Strategic Roadmap to Guide Legislative Action for Economic Equity
The Strategic Roadmap will guide coordinated legislative advocacy to improve Black business opportunities and growth
Portland, OR — March 11, 2026 —The Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) has released its Strategic Roadmap, which will guide coordinated legislative advocacy across Black-focused organizations, public agencies, corporations, and philanthropic partners. Informed by data analyses conducted by ECOnorthwest, facilitated by Interplay Collective, and led by BBAO, the Roadmap provides an action-oriented framework to address systemic drivers of inequity in Black business outcomes.
The Roadmap outlines seven phases of action from January 2026 to January 2027, including developing coalitions, drafting policy goals and legislative recommendations, convening stakeholders, and releasing a State of the Black Economy Report. Ahead of the 2027 legislative session, BBAO seeks to introduce a full legislative package to improve Black business participation, scale, and long-term economic stability.
Partners from a number of Oregon organizations, including both private organizations and public agencies, contributed to the Roadmap.
Nate McCoy, Interim Executive Director of BBAO and the President and CEO of the National Association of Minority Contractors of Oregon (NAMC-Oregon), said, “BBAO’s Strategic Roadmap is designed to move from conversation to coordinated action. It is not another report, it is an implementation framework that aligns policy, partners, community leadership, and intentional access to capital to accelerate Black business growth and wealth creation across Oregon.”
Alando Simpson, Board Chair of BBAO and CEO of COR Disposal & Recycling, added, “BBAO works to build an economy where Black-owned businesses can thrive. This Strategic Roadmap will support BBAO and partners in aligning policy, capital, and accountability mechanisms to cultivate a thriving and equitable business ecosystem where Oregon’s Black-owned businesses can achieve sustainable growth and prosperity.”
Andrew Hoan, President and CEO of the Portland Metro Chamber and a Board Member of BBAO, added, “BBAO is leading the way in advancing economic equity in Oregon. The launch of this Strategic Roadmap represents the continued commitment of BBAO and partners to coordinated, focused advocacy for the expansion of business opportunities among Black Oregonians. The Portland Metro Chamber is in full support of BBAO’s advocacy for the Black business community.”
BBAO emerged from a moment of national reckoning and has grown into a data-informed, policy-focused statewide champion for Black economic parity. In 2020, Black leaders on the Portland Metro Chamber board published the Regional Black Economic Prosperity Agenda, which laid the groundwork for the establishment of BBAO.
BBAO was officially launched in 2022 through a collaboration between the Portland Metro Chamber and NAMC-Oregon, with nearly $1 million in initial public, private, and philanthropic funding. With strong leadership and deep partnerships with the broader business community, BBAO builds political power and expands economic opportunity for Black communities in Oregon.
Black-owned businesses are essential drivers of Oregon’s economy, community stability, and cultural vitality. Yet their contributions have long been constrained by structural barriers, including inequitable access to capital, contracting, and workforce pipelines, as well as public and private systems not designed to support Black entrepreneurs at scale. Despite these challenges, Black business owners across Oregon continue to lead with resilience, innovation, and vision.
BBAO’s Strategic Roadmap will strengthen cross-sector accountability and help shape policies and partnerships that advance equitable economic outcomes for Black Oregonians, and for Oregon as a whole.
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About the Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO): The Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) empowers Black-owned businesses to grow, lead, and thrive by championing economic equity and promoting sustainable policies. Through strategic partnerships, bold advocacy, and culturally responsive approaches across business, education, workforce, and community development, BBAO drives lasting systemic policy change throughout Oregon. Learn more at BBAOregon.org.
About the National Association of Minority Contractors Oregon (NAMC-Oregon): Established in 2007, NAMC-Oregon is the local affiliate of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC). NAMC-Oregon serves businesses owned by People of Color in the State of Oregon. As a non-profit, public benefit organization with Membership services, NAMC-Oregon focuses its work on education and technical assistance, relationship and community building, and business supports and advocacy. NAMC-Oregon’s motto is “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers” and its work focuses on construction industry issues affecting individuals who identify as Black, African American, Latino, Hispanic, Native American, Indigenous, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Learn more at NAMC-Oregon.org.
About the Portland Metro Chamber: The Portland Metro Chamber was founded in 1870 and represents the largest, most diverse business network in the region. The Chamber brings together more than 2,200 members represented by dynamic and varied employers from around the region. Grounded in its mission to create opportunity and advance well-being for all who live and work in the greater Portland and SW Washington region, the Chamber envisions a healthy and resilient business ecosystem where we work together to increase collaboration in governance; engage community; increase civic leadership; and advocate for a vibrant, livable place for all. Learn more at PortlandMetroChamber.com.
