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          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

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          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

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          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

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          Pacesetters
          Doing Business with Mass General Brigham

          Join us for our installment of the Pacesetters Doing Business series featuring Mass General Brigham on August 7, 2025.

          08/07/2025

          1:00pm - 2:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          BIMA
          2025 BIMA Summer Sizzler

          The BIMA Summer Sizzler is a chance to network with your digital media industry peers from the agency, publisher, and adtech community!

          08/14/2025

          6:00pm - 9:00pm

          Fenway Park

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Series
          Maximize Your Membership September 2025

          Enjoy networking with fellow members and hear from Chamber Staff on how to best leverage your Membership to achieve your business goals.

          09/09/2025

          3:00pm - 4:30pm

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Insights
        • Transformational DEI Certificate

          This program is in redevelopment. Click this page for DEI resources.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

          In this highly interactive workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney, you’ll define your professional identity and develop strategies to confidently navigate workplace dynamics.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Small Business
          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          arrow-go
          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
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          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          Read More
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For over 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
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Chamber Announces Pacesetters Triple Spend with Local Businesses of Color

Press Release

Media Contact: Casey Baines [email protected]

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Pacesetters initiative, a collective effort to use equitable procurement practices to close the racial wealth gap, is pleased to announce that Pacesetters increased their spend with local businesses of color by $99.4 million, a 222% increase year over year, and increased spend with statewide businesses of color by $23 million. Answering the call to action at the beginning of the most recent racial reckoning, Pacesetters utilized equitable best practices to achieve heightened levels of spend, especially at the local level where spend with businesses of color tripled.

“The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is proud of the Pacesetters’ meaningful investments during 2021, most notably increasing spend by almost $100 million with local businesses of color. This is the type of commitment – and action – that moves the needle to close the region’s racial wealth gap. The Massachusetts business community is leading the way into the future of commerce with transformative, collaborative, and inclusive partnerships, and the Chamber urges the entire business community to join us in prioritizing equity,” said James E. Rooney, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

In 2021, 10% of Pacesetters local spend went to businesses of color, 5.2% of their state spend went to businesses of color, and 8.1% of national spend went to businesses of color. This substantial increase in spend marks a significant milestone as the Pacesetters move closer to achieving their goal:

10% statewide spend with businesses of color.

Read the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Pacesetters 2021 Data Collection Report.

The Pacesetters initiative, a cornerstone of the Chamber’s Economic Inclusion portfolio, is leading commerce forward – creating and establishing an inclusive, diverse economy that champions businesses of color. Together, Pacesetters are leading the business community forward with best practices that elevate greater economic opportunity for Black and Brown communities.

About the Chamber’s Pacesetters Initiative

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce founded the Pacesetters initiative in 2018 and expanded statewide in 2020. Pacesetters are large and mid-sized companies and anchor institutions that use equitable procurement practices to close the racial wealth gap by intentionally increasing spend with businesses of color. Learn more about Pacesetters at the website.

About the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

We are the convener, voice, and advocate of our region’s business community, committed to making Greater Boston the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive. We help our members and Greater Boston succeed by convening and connecting the business community; researching, developing and advocating for public policies that contribute to our region’s economic success; and providing comprehensive learning and development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com.

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