The African American Business Leaders Council

Last month, we had the pleasure of celebrating the grand opening of Lisa Lake Creative in Allentown with an official ribbon-cutting — and we're still smiling about it.

Lisa Lake Creative is a full-service creative studio based in downtown Allentown, specializing in commercial photography, branding, graphic design, video production, FAA Part 107-certified drone services, and digital marketing. The studio partners with businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and real estate professionals to create compelling visual content that helps brands stand out. From corporate headshots and product photography to cinematic real estate tours, event coverage, website design, and social media content, Lisa Lake Creative offers a personalized, one-stop creative experience backed by decades of professional expertise and a passion for telling every client's unique story.

It was wonderful to see friends, family, and fellow members come out to mark this milestone. Congratulations, Lisa! The Chamber is proud to have you in the community!

📣 We are excited to share that Carter McKinney has been elected to serve as an African American Business Leaders Council Board member!

Carter McKinney is an award-winning entrepreneur and educator born in Pittsburgh and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and the founder of McKinney Media, a community-centered creative institution focused on leadership, storytelling, and public engagement. His work connects business, creativity, and community, helping individuals and organizations communicate clearly, lead responsibly, and turn vision into ex*****on through real-world experience and long-term thinking. Carter also hosts The Entrepreneurs Club Podcast, which is a platform for honest conversations on entrepreneurship, leadership, creativity, and community impact. The show highlights real stories and lessons from founders and leaders building with discipline, responsibility, and long-term vision.

Congratulations, Carter!

Join the African American Business Leaders Council for the Empower Black Kickoff on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM at 3pcchkn.donuts (3690 Lehigh Street, Whitehall, PA 18052) for networking and make an impact on our local Black-owned business community. There is no formal programming, so feel free to stop by at any time during the event to support 🩵

This event is free to attend, but we encourage you to support by purchasing coffee, tea, or a pastry!

Register here: https://bit.ly/4yQcj6T
- page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D4cTwut9u/
- LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7485340176337166336?viewAsMember=true

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Learn more about the Empower Black initiative: https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/empower-black.html
**If you cannot make it for our event, we invite you to stop by anytime during the day to show your support!

Gather our community. Grow our economy.

Empower Black is an initiative established from the African American Business Leaders Council (AABLC) to lead economic empowerment in our community. Through this initiative, we partner with local Black-owned businesses to host events that give attendees the opportunity to support these businesses directly.

❗️Stay tuned as we share more details tomorrow on the kickoff event for this initiative!

📣 We are excited to share that Brenda Robinson has been elected to serve as an African American Business Leaders Council Board member!

Brenda Robinson is the Founder & CEO of CDR Consultants LLC and a respected leader in business, ministry, and community empowerment across the Lehigh Valley. With over 25 years of accounting experience, she specializes in credit education, commercial lending support, and strategic consulting for families and small businesses. Brenda serves as a SCORE Mentor and a Keystone Alliance Family Mentor, helping individuals build financial stability and generational wealth. Her work through The Legacy Bridge Fellowship and community outreach reflects her commitment to service, leadership, and economic advancement. As a Board Member of the Small Business Council of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and an incoming leader within the African American Business Leaders Council (AABLC), she is dedicated to elevating businesses, expanding access to resources, and strengthening the region’s economic impact through collaboration and empowerment.

Congratulations, Brenda!

We are pleased to share that the Family Connection of Easton Board of Directors has appointed Keela Vincent as President and CEO, effective July 1, 2026.

This appointment marks an important milestone in the continued growth of Family Connection and reflects the expanded scope of Keela’s leadership as we continue strengthening children, families, and our community.

Please join us in congratulating Keela as we move into this next chapter of growth and impact.

📣 We are excited to share that Darnell Scott has been elected to serve as an African American Business Leaders Council Board member!

Darnell Scott is the Director of Operations at Comfy Hands Homecare, where he oversees strategic operations and community partnerships to expand access to compassionate, high-quality home care services throughout the Lehigh Valley. He previously served with Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, where he worked in community outreach and violence prevention, helping connect residents with resources and build stronger neighborhoods through collaborative partnerships. Darnell also serves as a Board Member of the Allentown Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), where he contributes to initiatives that promote economic growth, entrepreneurship, and equitable opportunities throughout the region. A graduate of AmeriCorps, Darnell is deeply committed to servant leadership, civic engagement, and empowering individuals, families, and businesses.

Congratulations, Darnell!

📣 We are excited to share that Tera Taylor-Green has been elected to serve as an African American Business Leaders Council Board member!

Tera Taylor-Green is an accomplished nonprofit executive, economic development strategist, and communications leader with a proven track record of building organizations, cultivating partnerships, and advancing community impact. As the Founder and Chief Consultant of SparkBridge Collective, established in 2025, she advises nonprofits, foundations, chambers of commerce, and mission-driven organizations on strategic planning, fundraising, organizational growth, brand positioning, and sustainable development. Throughout her career, Tera has become known for her ability to connect vision with ex*****on. Her expertise spans philanthropy, economic development, strategic communications, corporate partnerships, governance, and community engagement. She has successfully led six-figure fundraising initiatives, developed high-impact partnerships, and designed innovative programs that expand opportunity and strengthen communities. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Tera’s greatest joy is her family. She is a devoted wife and proud mother who cherishes supporting her children’s passions and celebrating their achievements. Whether traveling abroad, discovering new cultures, spending time near the water, or enjoying quiet moments along the shoreline with a good book, she finds inspiration in experiences that broaden perspective, deepen relationships, and fuel her commitment to building stronger communities both locally and globally.

Congratulations, Tera!

“Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree.” - Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture

Juneteenth celebrates the resilience of the African American community. At the African American Business Leaders Council, part of the Lehigh Valley Chamber, join us in honoring the achievements and strength of our community as we reaffirm our commitment to economic empowerment, fostering excellence, and recognizing the outstanding leaders of the African American community 🫱🏿‍🫲🏽🫱🏽‍🫲🏾🫱🏾‍🫲🏿