Page 94 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2022

in Diversity
Coast Chamber Champions take a coffee break at Coast Roast after visiting Chamber members.
Growing the diverse number of business voices and influence is another effort the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber took on in the past couple
of years. Originally starting years ago as a committee of the Biloxi Chamber, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber’s Diversity Council
has been taking purposeful steps to develop diverse businesses while advocating for their success.
Recent strategic social campaigns by the Chamber include highlighting business members during Black History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Pride Month.
“Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity Council seeks to connect, inform, advocate, and develop diverse businesses while advocating for their success through innovative programming curated
by the council and increase Membership by communicating chamber benefits to Minority Owned Businesses,” said Jakavious Pickett of Ingalls Shipbuilding and chair of the Diversity Council.
Throughout the pandemic, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber has worked to promote and support its local small business members and help share the word that Coastal Mississippi is open for business.
The Chamber creates development opportunities for professionals at all levels.
State of the County Address is an annual event to provide attendees with an informative forum on county accomplishments, concerns, issues, and improvements.
94 | August 2022 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living