The Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce has named Alicia Owens as its new president, marking the first time a woman has held the position. Owens also takes on the role of executive director of entrepreneurial development. She plans to increase the organization's presence and effectiveness immediately by highlighting members in its newsletter and attending more grand openings of local businesses. Owens expressed her motivation to be "part of the solution" for the chamber's future direction.
Owens, 66, brings extensive experience to her new leadership role. She became a chamber member and volunteer office manager in 2015, focusing on economic empowerment. For four years, she served as executive assistant to the president and operations manager, and joined the chamber board earlier this year. She has developed various programs for the chamber, including a health fair, and intends to restart previously held in-person workshops, such as STEM programs that provided coding opportunities for Black girls. Owens is also exploring offering artificial intelligence platforms and databases for chamber members.
Blanch Domino Bailey, who has known Owens for more than two decades, described her as knowledgeable about small businesses. Domino Bailey noted Owens "brings a wealth of information to her job" and is professional. Carl Davis, Jr., who founded the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, believes Owens possesses the vision and skills to revitalize the organization and make it a community pillar, stating she has "a fresh vision" and is inspiring renewed enthusiasm.
Owens's determination to help reenergize the Black community and their businesses stems from her own experiences and a broader understanding of the challenges faced. She overcame significant personal adversity, including being disabled in her 30s by rheumatoid arthritis, which led to five surgeries and the replacement of her hips, ankles, and knee. Despite these struggles, she worked to recover, leaving her wheelchair to re-enter the workforce.
The new president aims to tackle significant disparities within the local business landscape. According to July 2025 U.S. Census projections, Black residents comprise just 2.8% of Santa Clara County’s population. Data from the Bay Area Equity Atlas showed that only 1.2% of businesses in 2023 were Black owned, and a study indicated that less than 1% of county contracts were awarded to Black and Latino businesses. Owens voiced disappointment, recalling her father's Bay Area nightclub and the question of "Where are all the Black people at?" when seeking support for Black-owned businesses.
Funding presents a major obstacle for Black startups and small businesses, a point echoed by economist Chuck Cantrell. Cantrell, a local columnist, identified funding as the "No. 1 obstacle," explaining that racial bias makes it difficult for Black-led businesses to secure contracts, grants, and bank loans. He emphasized that a lack of capital increases the likelihood of business failure and hinders growth. Owens concurred, citing Federal Reserve survey data revealing that Black-owned firms applied for credit more often than white-owned firms but received approval at a lower rate of 61% compared to 80%. She described this racial gap as "very frustrating" and stated her desire to "fix that."
To address these funding issues, Owens is investigating the possibility of the chamber becoming self-funded, aiming to reduce its reliance on external bank and government financing. Be’Anka Ashaolu, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Nirvana Soul, expressed hope for increased support. Ashaolu seeks chamber sponsorship for Nirvana Soul's events and assistance for the Black and Latino vendors they collaborate with to secure loans and expand. She believes that greater support for small businesses benefits everyone, particularly in nurturing the Black small business environment in San Jose and creating spaces for community connection.
