By Antonio R. Harvey | OBSERVER STAFF WRITER

It was an community event about learning, networking, and profiting from established business leaders who understand the value of reaching ethnic markets.

Dr. Bertice Berry was one of the keynote speakers at the 2005 Multi-Cultural Business Forum held at the Sheraton Grand.

The Alliance for Business and Community presented a multi-cultural business forum at the Sheraton Grand recently to promote Sacramento’s greatest resource: ethnic diversity.

Under the title, “Leveraging our Diversity,” the alliance — consisting of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce — stage the event to help businesses and organizations strengthen diversity initiatives and accomplish effective marketing to multicultural consumers.

“The reason why we are all here today, the three chambers, is to work as a team,” Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Diana M. Borroel said. “That’s the bottom line and the purpose of this meeting. We all understand that we have economic business power. And working together gives us a powerful voice. Diversity is part of a competitive advantage.”

The forum opened with keynote speaker, Bertice Berry, who hosts her own nationally syndicated talk show. Berry, who likes to begin her presentations with meditative singing, began with a song.

She later in her speech acknowledged the significance of the alliance between the three chambers.

“It’s an honor to work with people who do the work that I believe in,” Berry said. “I believe this alliance is going to be the model for the rest of the country.”

Anna Escobedo Cabral, the treasurer of the United States and a Caifornia native who graduated from the University of California at Davis, was also a keynote speaker who shared her wisdom and support of the alliance.

The forum had a series of workshops including determining the best business structure, perspective on bidding and procurement, protecting businesses and establishing a diversity council.

In addition, redeveloping blighted areas and depressed economies, creating a regional economic strategy, understanding healthcare and workers compensation insurance, attracting diverse customers and addressing housing needs for all of Sacramento were presented as 50-minute breakout sessions.

The event was co-sponsored by the Sacramento Business Journal, Valley Vision, Allstate Insurance, SMUD, Comcast, PG&E, Merrill Lynch and US Bank.

The Alliance for Business and Community formed in 2001 after the three chambers decided that it could better serve their members through shared advocacy and commitment toward economic development for underserved communities.

“As any chamber, we found out that we share the same core values,” Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce executive director Velma Sykes said. “The alliance will be a powerful tool for its members and resources combined.”