Charles H. DeBow, III

National Black Chamber of Commerce®, Executive Director

Charles H. DeBow, III

National Black Chamber of Commerce®, Executive Director

Mr. Charles H. DeBow, III is the Executive Director of the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC). Over the past 20 years, he has gained extensive experience as Vice President for Programs & Global development for the NBCC Global Federation of Chambers in North, Central, and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa. The NBCC has evolved as a global advocate on behalf of Black businesses. The National Black Chamber of Commerce® is dedicated to economically empowering, sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship, capitalistic activity within the United States, and via interaction with the Black Diaspora.

Mr. DeBow has focused on the unconventional challenges confronting African American small businesses, its advocacy, and opportunities and the operational challenges of non-profit organizations for growth and development. He also directs policies, initiatives, advocacy for public policy concerns, and represents the NBCC periodically on congressional subcommittees. Previously serving as the Co-Chairman of Economic Opportunity of the U.S. State Department’s U.S. – Colombia Action Plan on Racial & Ethnic Equality (CAPREE) – a program conceived to provide solutions for conflict resolution for the Colombian Civil War.

Charles H. DeBow, III is the son of one of the original Tuskegee Airman, Charles H. DeBow, Jr. He is a graduate of Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business. He has spent over 13 years in various capacities with CBS Records and 10 years as a marketing consultant developing campaigns for clients such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Janet Jackson, Sade, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, and many more. The music industry experience provided a foundation for a legacy based on consumer marketing.

Today the NBCC is developing solutions to support commerce in the Covid Economic Crisis for Black Small Businesses. We are striving for entrepreneurial diversity with infrastructure development, IT, housing, energy, agri-business, cannabis, manufacturing, and natural resources with an emphasis on socially responsive and inclusive practices. Mr. DeBow is presently overseeing project developments in The Americas (North/Central/South), Caribbean, and Africa.

Upcoming Event

State of Higher education Report

February 28, 2024
4:00PM-5:00PM ET