Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce

Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit 501c3 organization.

The Chamber shall organize to advance and protect the general welfare and prosperity of African American owned businesses as well as other minority owned businesses in the community. All appropriate and necessary means of promotion shall be provided and particular attention and emphasis shall be given to the economic, financial, commercial, industrial, governmental, cultural, and civic interest of

the area. The purpose of the Chamber shall be to teach capitalism and expand access to capitalization, technical support, procurement opportunities, effective networking, and sharing of information for black owned businesses and other minority owned businesses as well as the African decedent community as a whole. The main vehicle of dissemination concerning this purpose will be through seminars and training sessions and through the organization of Commerce organizations in other parishes.

09/08/2026

🎥 WHY DID LORI JOIN THE SWLA BLACK CHAMBER? 👀

Sometimes the best way to understand the value of the Chamber is to hear directly from the business leaders who are part of it.

Meet Lori Ford, SWLA Black Chamber Board Member and owner of 1 Infinity Homecare Services, LLC. 👏🏾

In this short video, Lori shares her WHY—why she chose to become part of the Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce and why other entrepreneurs and business owners should consider joining too.

The Chamber is more than membership. It's about connection, access, visibility, advocacy, resources, and relationships that can help move your business forward. 🤝🏾📈

When you join the SWLA Black Chamber, you become part of a growing business community where you can:

🤝🏾 Connect with entrepreneurs, professionals, corporate partners, and community leaders.
📣 Increase visibility for your business through Chamber platforms, events, and member opportunities.
📚 Access resources and education designed to help businesses grow and become stronger.
💼 Discover opportunities for partnerships, referrals, contracts, and collaboration.
🗣️ Have a stronger voice through advocacy and representation for our business community.
🌱 Build relationships with people who understand the entrepreneurial journey.
🏆 Grow while helping others grow—because a stronger business community strengthens all of Southwest Louisiana.

▶️ Watch Lori's 20-second video and hear her WHY.

Then we want to hear from YOU! 👇🏾

Current Chamber members: What is YOUR #1 reason for being a member? Drop it in the comments so another business owner can hear directly from you. 💬

Not a member yet? What are you waiting for? Come connect, grow, and build with us.

👉🏾 Join the Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce today.

🌐 greaterslbcc.com

Your business deserves more than a network. It deserves a community. 💙🤝🏾

09/08/2026

☀️ MONDAY MORNING MOTIVATION! ☀️

🙌🏾 PRAISE HIM IN ADVANCE!

Don’t wait until the prayer is answered to praise God.
Don’t wait until the door opens to thank Him.
Don’t wait until the battle is over to worship Him.

Praise Him while you’re waiting. Praise Him when you cannot see the way. Praise Him because you trust that He is already working everything together for your good.

📖 “But at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God.” — Acts 16:25

Paul and Silas praised God while they were still in chains—and suddenly, the prison doors opened. Your praise is evidence that your faith is greater than your circumstances.

Start this week expecting God to move. Thank Him for the healing, the opportunity, the provision, and the breakthrough before you see it.

🔥 DON’T WAIT FOR THE VICTORY TO PRAISE GOD—PRAISE HIM IN ADVANCE BECAUSE THE VICTORY IS ALREADY HIS!

09/07/2026

🏆✨ CONGRATULATIONS, SHAKELSHA McZEAL! ✨🏆

The Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce proudly congratulates Shakelsha McZeal, Owner of Gems & Gels Nails Co., on receiving the Beauty and Excellence Award! 💅🏾💐✨

For Shakelsha, beauty has never been just about what you can see on the outside. Her journey began with a prayer. 🙏🏾

Before she ever picked up a nail file, Shakelsha asked God to gift her hands—to use them for His work and lead her into the purpose He created for her.

Today, she is living the answer to that prayer. ❤️

Through Gems & Gels Nails Co., every appointment is about more than beautiful nails. Shakelsha has intentionally created a space where women can feel seen, valued, encouraged, and loved.

💅🏾 Beauty with purpose.
🙏🏾 Faith through service.
💎 Excellence in her craft.
❤️ Encouragement for every woman she encounters.
✨ A dream transformed into a calling.

Whether through a conversation, a prayer, a word of encouragement, or simply providing a peaceful experience, Shakelsha wants every woman who sits in her chair to leave feeling better than when she arrived.

And THAT is what makes her work so special.

Shakelsha's story is also a reminder to the young girl—or grown woman—who is still believing for something that seems impossible:

Keep believing. Keep praying. Keep working. What is a dream today may one day become the purpose you get to live every day. 🙌🏾✨

🏆 Today, we celebrate Shakelsha McZeal as a recipient of the BEAUTY AND EXCELLENCE AWARD!

SWLA, help us give her some Chamber love! 👏🏾👏🏾

Drop a 💎, 💅🏾, 🏆, or 👏🏾 in the comments to congratulate Shakelsha! And if you've ever sat in her chair or experienced Gems & Gels Nails Co., share a few words about your experience below. 👇🏾

Congratulations, Shakelsha! Continue using your gifted hands, your faith, and your business to remind women of their beauty, value, and worth—one appointment at a time. 💅🏾💎🙏🏾🏆

☀️ MONDAY MORNING MOTIVATION! ☀️🇺🇸 LABOR DAY EDITION 🇺🇸Today, we celebrate the hardworking people whose dedication, sacr...
09/07/2026

☀️ MONDAY MORNING MOTIVATION! ☀️
🇺🇸 LABOR DAY EDITION 🇺🇸

Today, we celebrate the hardworking people whose dedication, sacrifice, and determination help keep our families, businesses, and communities moving forward.

Your labor matters. Whether you work with your hands, your mind, or your heart, never underestimate the value of what you contribute.

📖 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” — Colossians 3:23

Work diligently, serve with excellence, and trust God to bless the work of your hands. But remember—even God established a time for rest. Take today to appreciate how far you have come, enjoy the people you love, and renew your strength for the journey ahead.

🔥 HONOR THE WORK. CELEBRATE THE WORKER. THANK GOD FOR THE STRENGTH TO LABOR—AND TAKE TIME TO REST!

Happy Labor Day!

09/06/2026

☀️ SUNDAY MORNING MOTIVATION! ☀️

❤️ LOVE CONQUERS ALL THINGS!

Love is stronger than hate, greater than fear, and more powerful than division. It can heal wounded hearts, restore broken relationships, and bring peace where confusion once lived.

Choose love—even when it is difficult.
Choose forgiveness—even when you are hurt.
Choose compassion—even when others misunderstand you.
Choose peace—even when anger feels easier.

📖 “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8

God demonstrated the greatest love through Jesus Christ. When His love fills your heart, hatred loses its power, bitterness cannot remain, and healing can begin.

🙏🏾 LET LOVE LEAD YOUR WORDS, YOUR ACTIONS, AND YOUR HEART—BECAUSE LOVE CONQUERS ALL THINGS!

09/05/2026

☀️ SATURDAY MORNING MOTIVATION! ☀️

🙏🏾 REST!

True rest is more than closing your eyes—it is having peace within your heart.

To experience peace, you must release anger, bitterness, and resentment. You cannot control how others treat you, but you can control what you allow to live inside you.

Combat hate with love.
Combat bitterness with forgiveness.
Combat confusion with prayer.
Combat worry with faith.

📖 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21

Protect your peace today. Forgive, let go, and allow God to calm your heart, renew your strength, and give rest to your spirit.

🔥 WHEN LOVE FILLS YOUR HEART, HATE LOSES ITS POWER—and your soul can truly rest!

09/04/2026

🏆✨ CONGRATULATIONS, KAREN C. DUGAS, M.Ed.! ✨🏆

The Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce proudly congratulates Karen C. Dugas, M.Ed., CEO & Educator of Above The Limit, on receiving the Legacy Builder Award! 👏🏾💐

A legacy isn't simply what you accomplish for yourself—it's what you build that continues to impact others. And Karen's journey is a powerful example of building with purpose. ❤️

With more than 20 years of experience in public and private education, Karen has dedicated her career to helping young people recognize their potential and prepare for their futures.

📚 In 2017, she founded Above the Limit, LLC, turning her passion for education into an entrepreneurial mission.

But her impact didn't stop there.

Through the Beyond the Bus Foundation, Karen is helping teenagers successfully transition into adulthood by providing free college and career workshops, ACT preparation opportunities, and financial literacy camps. 🎓💰

Her work is helping young people do more than prepare for a test—it's helping them prepare for LIFE.

Karen's own words beautifully capture her journey:

"Going after my dreams is the scariest, yet most fulfilling experience I've ever had. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to walk in my purpose, doing the things I enjoy."

🙏🏾 Purpose. Education. Opportunity. Legacy.

Karen continues to demonstrate what happens when someone uses their gifts not only to build a successful organization, but to open doors for the generations coming behind them. 🌱➡️🌳

Her leadership has also earned recognition as a 2023 Undercurrent Award Honoree, Creole Culture Honoree, and featured leader in the 24 Hour Citizen Project.

Today, we're adding another well-deserved recognition:

🏆 LEGACY BUILDER AWARD

👏🏾 Help us celebrate Karen! Drop a 🏆, ❤️, or 👏🏾 in the comments and share a few words of congratulations.

And if Karen, Above The Limit, or Beyond the Bus Foundation has touched your life or the life of a young person you know, share your story in the comments. We'd love to hear the impact. 💙

Congratulations, Karen C. Dugas! Continue building a legacy that educates, empowers, and creates opportunities for generations to come. 🏆🎓✨

Video credits to James Wilson Photography LLC

09/04/2026

☀️ FRIDAY MORNING MOTIVATION! ☀️

🙏🏾 MAKE EVERY GOD-GIVEN MOMENT COUNT!

God gives, and God takes away. Every opportunity, relationship, blessing, and moment we receive is a gift that should never be taken for granted.

Use the time you have to honor God. Love people while you can. Serve faithfully. Forgive quickly. Show gratitude. Walk in obedience—and do what God has placed in your heart today.

You may never receive the same opportunity again. The door that is open today may not remain open tomorrow.

📖 “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” — Job 1:21

Don’t waste today regretting yesterday or waiting for tomorrow. Live with purpose, give God your best, and make every moment count.

🔥 USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO PLEASE GOD—BECAUSE SOME MOMENTS ONLY COME ONCE!

09/03/2026

🏆✨ CONGRATULATIONS, MICHELLE THOMAS! ✨🏆

The Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce proudly congratulates Michelle Thomas, Founder of Southern Mixx, on receiving the Mobile Mogul Award! 👏🏾🥂

With an incredible 35 years of experience in the hospitality and beverage industry, Michelle has transformed her passion, creativity, and commitment to exceptional service into a thriving Louisiana-based brand.

Through Southern Mixx Bartending Service and Southern Mixx Sips, Michelle isn't simply serving beverages—she's creating experiences, building a brand, sharing her expertise, and inspiring others to pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams. 💼✨

Her journey represents what being a Mobile Mogul is all about:

🥂 Turning experience into enterprise
💡 Transforming creativity into opportunity
💼 Building a trusted and recognizable brand
📚 Sharing knowledge through hospitality education
🤝🏾 Serving the community with excellence
🔥 Demonstrating resilience and staying power

Michelle's story is a reminder that entrepreneurship doesn't always begin with a building—it begins with a vision, a skill, and the courage to take what you know wherever opportunity leads.

And Michelle has certainly created her own MIX of success! 🥂😉

🎉 Please join us in congratulating Michelle Thomas on receiving the Mobile Mogul Award!

👇🏾 Drop a 🏆, 🥂, or 👏🏾 in the comments and show Michelle some Chamber love! If you've ever experienced Southern Mixx, tell us about it in the comments.

Congratulations, Michelle! Keep mixing passion, purpose, and entrepreneurship! 🏆🥂✨

Southern Mixx — Professional Service Infused with Fun!

Video credits go to James Wilson Photography LLC

One of our 2026 Honorees has an upcoming event! Let's keep that community support and engagement going!🥊🔥 THE COUNTDOWN ...
09/03/2026

One of our 2026 Honorees has an upcoming event! Let's keep that community support and engagement going!

🥊🔥 THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! LACE ’EM UP 2 IS ALMOST HERE! 🔥🥊

Saturday, September 19, 2026, EBP COMMUNITY BOXING is bringing another action packed night of amateur boxing to the Berwick Civic Center! 💥

We’re still looking for SPONSORS & COMMUNITY SUPPORT! 🥊

🥊 Sponsorships starting at $100
🎟️ Floor Seats $25
🥊 Ringside Seats $50
⭐ VIP Tables $500

Every sponsor, participant, and supporter helps us continue creating opportunities for our youth and strengthening our community through boxing.🥊🔥

📲 Efremzimbalist Randle: 337.578.5701
📲 Dr. Tammie Wilson: 337.578.7830

❤️🖤💛 Let’s pack the house and make LACE ’EM UP 2 a knockout


Cc ⬇️

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Lafayette, LA
70502

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

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