What Makes Us Global?
Historically, this is answered only in the form of tourism. We attract tourists from all over the world for celebrating our cultural diversity. How do we further those connections from people around the world and create sustainable economic opportunities?
As the nation’s seventh largest city, San Antonio is faced with questions of how we grow as a community. Equally, the city has been placed on the nation’s top list for being the most segregated city in America. How do we reconcile the wealth gap? How do underrepresented groups of people gain the opportunity to advocate at the table of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation?
Global Chamber San Antonio has addressed the inequities of the strategy the local and state governments have used to cultivate diversity in the opportunities with small businesses and the inclusion of all in all opportunities to promote economic development.
San Antonio is culturally diverse and often celebrates that diversity. However, this does not translate over into the business world. How do we get all to work together as we do socially in our community? Why is there a disconnect? While we all can be proud and celebrate our personal heritage, how do we become one strong voice to support economic development and opportunities for all in the community?
Global Chamber San Antonio believes that by working together to look for opportunities beyond the status quo and both small and large businesses working together, we can truly make an impact on our local community.
Let’s expand the conversation and discuss, “How do we truly make our Local Global?” Let’s use our diverse assets, our community, our people of all different backgrounds to make it happen!
ABOUT CHRISTOPHER C. HERRING
Christopher C. Herring is the Executive Director for Global Chamber® San Antonio. He is a Board member of the San Antonio Council for International Visitors, serves on the Texas Board of the US Global Leadership Coalition and his chamber was approved by the US Trade and Development Agency to promote the “Making Global Local” campaign for the City of San Antonio.
Mr. Herring is a decorated combat veteran of the United States Air Force serving his nation as a commissioned officer for over 20 years. He was inspired to get into business by the late Ronald H. Brown, former US Secretary of Commerce, who he escorted on business trips to Los Angeles, to become a future chamber leader, business owner, and ultimately a facilitator of opportunity.
Mr. Herring is a past President/CEO of the Alamo City Chamber of Commerce in San Antonio, the United States 7th largest city. He balanced the needs of corporate partners, small businesses and collegiate student members. Mr. Herring was twice elected and is serving in his last term as the Chairman of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce (TAAACC). In his chairman role, he has advocated for over 250,000 businesses and 23 chambers of commerce in the nation’s second largest economy with the ultimate goal to help his business members increase overall revenues and sales.
Mr. Herring was appointed to be the appointee of Mayor Julian Castro to serve on the Small Business Advocacy Committee of the City of San Antonio. He was retained by Mayor Ivy Taylor and helped to bring the largest delegation of African business leaders to San Antonio – over 50. He provided his voice to ensure the city would develop a Sister City opportunity for an African city which came to realization with the city of Namibia, Windhoek. Under Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Mr. Herring was elected by his peers to Chair the Small Business Advocacy Committee (SBAC) and the city’s Diversity Action Plan Subcommittee. He is the one of the longest serving citizens volunteering to help small minority business owners to increase profits and expand their services. Not surprisingly, Herring was in the top three selected by the San Antonio Current for Community Activist of the Year in 2018. He is one of 500 Americans selected as a US Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award (TOYA) of the US JAYCEES, a lifetime award. Additionally, he was selected by the National NAACP for a lifetime award for his fight for equal opportunity and treatment, with the Roy Wilkins Renowned Meritorious Service Award.
Mr. Herring’s goal is to increase the 35,000 small, minority businesses and to have them included in the global expansion of our city. While his request and call to action is simple, the request to diversify the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF) board and staff has been met with no action.
