Maine becomes the first state to have a Black Chamber of Commerce.

Joshua Brister is taking advantage of an opportunity to bring about positive change in Maine. Brister, the owner of the Lewiston-Auburn Maples, a women's semiprofessional basketball team, is creating the state's first Black chamber of commerce. The Portland Press Herald reported that the chamber was officially registered in June 2023.

Brister, a Navy veteran, was able to secure over $400,000 to get the organization started and has already chosen 15 people for the board of directors. He expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying “We’re in the incubation stage. It takes conversations and backing to bring intentional, lasting change.” The chamber's budget is estimated to be between $1.5 million and $2 million.

The chamber is intended to advocate for and promote the interests of Black businesses to state leaders, as well as work closely with organizations that are vested in the interests of Black businesses, such as Black Owned Maine. Brister stressed the importance of allies and allies with funding, saying “We need intentional allies who have funding and are willing to stand by us when times get tough.”

Though Brister understands the struggles Black business owners face, he believes that not everyone shares the same awareness. This could be seen at an election forum by the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce where, according to Brister, there were very few Black people in the audience of 400-500. He expressed his disappointment in the event, saying “If candidates aren’t walking into a room full of people that look like me, they’re not going to develop intentional policies and solutions to the challenges facing Black business owners in this state.”

According to U.S. Black Chambers, Incorporated, there are more than 145 chambers of commerce and business organizations in 42 of the 50 United States. Together, they represent about 326,000 Black businesses.

Brister is hoping to create a chamber of commerce that is not looking to be confrontational, but rather, to be “a good chamber with an intentional plan.” He believes that there must be an engine to engage with in order to bring about positive change. It remains to be seen if the Maine Black Chamber of Commerce will be successful, but Brister is certainly determined to make a difference.

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