By Antonio R. Harvey | OBSERVER STAFF WRITER

The Sacramento Black Chamber in conjunction with the Alliance for Business and Community held its “Leading Change and Building Diversity” luncheon and conference recently.

Under the auspice “Dynamic Approaches to Building Stronger Communities,” the event took place at the Courtyard by Marriott on March 29.

At the luncheon, the city of Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo delivered her “State of the City” address. Diana Borroel, a small business owner and president/CEO of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, also served as a guest speaker.

Borroel was recently selected to serve on the Caltrans Statewide Small Business Council. Borroel’s position will help small businesses compete for a portion of the more $12.8 billion in expenditures, including $11.2 Billion from non-General Fund sources for the Department of Transportation. This is an increase of $1.5 billion due primarily to Proposition 1B by the voters in November 2006.

Workshop topics covered at the conference were financial management and investing, marketing strategies, supplier diversity, and small business financing. Presenters of the workshops were Carlene Wong, Wells Fargo; Katrina Bee, Bee the Change; and Marilyn Smith.

A panel discussion with leading professionals was also on the agenda. The discussion provided insight into the dynamic approaches the panelists have used in building a stronger community. Members of the panel included Gilda Perez, Small Business Association; Pat Fong, Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce; Marilyn White, Private Wealth Management; and Elizabeth Sherrell-Smith from the University of Phoenix. Alice Scott was the moderator.

Hosted by Darla Givens, eight students from Luther Burbank High School’s Project Sunday were in attendance.

The Alliance for Business and Community consist of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce. The Sacramento business organization was created to develop long-term beneficial relationships with corporations, businesses, governmental agencies, and other business organizations.