DENVER — On the evening of January 28, the African Chamber of Commerce's Colorado chapter hosted its first annual Business Awards and Recognition Reception at the Hyatt Regency DTC. The organization, which seeks to catalyze economic growth for African businesses, honored six individuals for their achievements in the local African community.
While the event also served as an opportunity to network, twenty nominees were divided into five categories spanning nonprofit, women-owned businesses, small businesses, disrupter, and chamber partners, in addition to a president award. The winners received trophies and nominees each received a certificate of recognition.
The winners were: United African Community DCA (nonprofit), RLImmigration and the Law Firm of Rita R. Lewis (women-owned business), Jeroyaf Accounting and Tax Service (small business), Afrik Digest Magazine (disruptor), Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Center (chamber partner), and Geta Asfaw (president award).
Pierre Fanga, the Chairman of the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado Board of Directors, said, “Everyone was a winner” on Friday night.
Drinks, food, and music were provided at the end of the awards ceremony.
Below is a full list of nominees in each category. The winners are in bold.
Nonprofit
- United African Community DCA
- Colorado Ethiopian Community (Aurora)
- United African Premier Soccer League (UAPSL)
- Nigerian Women Association of Colorado (Aurora)
Women Owned Business
- RLImmigration and the Law Firm of Rita R. Lewis
- Rosma Designs (Aurora)
- Somali Mall Owners
- Afrocentric Braiding Salon
- Endless Grind Coffee ( Aurora)
Small Business
- Jeroyaf Accounting and Tax Service (Aurora)
- Dollar Grocery (Aurora)
- Colorado Ethiopian-Eritrean Liquor Association
- ABC Shuttle
Disrupter
- Afrik Digest Magazine (Aurora)
- KT Architecture (Aurora)
- Genuine Home Care Agency (Aurora)
Chamber Partner
- Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Center
- Comcast
- Amazon
- Rose Foundation
President Award: Geta Asfaw
Lindsey Ford is a multimedia journalist with Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach her at lindseyford@rmpbs.org.
