The Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce

CJ Broderick prides himself on connecting members of his community. He is an entrepreneur, student leader, community leader, and educator.

He is the son of two single parents, both of Liberian descent. He grew up having access to many things. His father and grandmother were both educators, and he shares that brought him to the Bull City. “Twenty-Five years ago, I attended Duke University and studied Mechanical Engineering. I fell in love with the community of Durham and wanted to stick around. Entrepreneurship was one of the things that I connected with and has kept me in Durham,” he says.

Today, CJ is the face of the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce. CJ started a few companies before leading the chamber. One was called TYPE USA (The Young Professional Experience). He supported the company with its marketing needs in concert with the chamber. He was impressed by what he saw happening and decided to join. Eventually, the opportunity to lead the organization presented itself, and CJ was ready and willing.

In his role as the leader of the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce, CJ strives to support the growth and development of black entrepreneurs, black businesses, and the black ecosystem. As an organization, they do that by providing access, advocacy, education, and opportunity. As the chamber president, CJ is responsible for leading the tactical work in designing and executing its programs and efforts to deliver on its mission.

Under CJ’s leadership, the chamber has gone from a start-up agency to a more robust organization. They have established a business boot camp that is offered twice a year. The boot camp teaches businesses different business principles. In 2022, they purchased their office space, eliminating the need to rent. They have also conducted an annual black business gala, highlighting the successes and accomplishments of black businesses in their community.

Additionally, the chamber has increased its value by partnering with various organizations, such as the US Black Chamber of Commerce based in Washington, D.C., which is recognized as the voice of black business in America. On a local level, they have built strong relationships with the city and county organizations, providing chamber members with more opportunities.

CJ shares that the idea of building strong communities inspires him. He quotes a term by Shambo Palmer, “African Communalism”. “That was the first time I had ever heard that term. He spoke about the importance of community and how you are taught to value the success of everyone in your community in many different African communities,” CJ says. He also acknowledges the impact his grandmother had on his upbringing. “She always did community-centric things. Her example of leadership and taking the time to pour back into her community positively impacted me.” www.thegdbcc.org h

CJ is determined to create opportunities for black-owned businesses to succeed in his community. He also identifies some of his organization’s challenges and how he has navigated them past them. “My Alexa started a racial equity consulting firm. Working with her allowed me to deeply interrogate race and racial identity development. I had worked with the chamber for seven years before we started our company. I thought I knew everything about blackness and how it showed up. When I started getting involved with my wife’s work, I realized there was so much I didn’t understand. Some people have not taken the time to think about what racism as a system has done to them and how it has shaped them. Because we don’t understand how the past has delivered our present, we may not understand what is next,” CJ says.

CJ plans to continue leading the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce to greener pastures. He also encourages more individuals to become involved and learn more about the available opportunities and resources. To learn more about the organization, please visit their website.