Chambers of Commerce Advocacy Day at MD General Assembly on January 15, 2026, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 97th birthday.
connect * convene * collaborate
CHAMBERS of COMMERCE ADVOCACY DAY at Thursday, January 15, 2026 • 1:00 - 5:00 pm Delegation Room 180 6 Bladen St Annapolis, MD 21401 MARYLAND HOUSE of DELEGATES
PROJECT 2026: WBTH
Fmi: thealliance443@gmail.com Lou Fields: 443-983-7974 organize * strategize * mobilize
HONORING OUR SPEAKER EMERITUS ADRIENNE A. JONES Thanks for Your Outstanding Leadership & Service IN APPRECIATION
Speaker Adrienne A. Jones shattered two glass ceilings when she was unani- mously elected by the full House of Delegates to serve as the first African-Amer- ican and the first woman Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates in history (2019-2025). Prior to being Speaker, Speaker Jones also held the distinction of being the first African American woman to serve as Speaker Pro Tem in the Maryland House of Delegates, serving in that capacity under Speaker Mike Bus- ch for 16 years. Speaker Jones served on the House Appropriations Committee, and was Chair of the Capital Budget and Education, and Economic Development Subcommittees. She has been a delegate since 1997. In 2010, Speaker Jones received the State of Maryland Harriet Ross Tubman Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Baltimore African American Tourism Council, Inc. In 2019, she received the Casper R. Taylor, Jr. Founder’s Award, the highest award given to a member of the House of Delegates, recognizing her steadfast service. She has three times been named to the “Top 100 Women in Maryland” by the Daily Record, and was inducted into the Circle of Excellence for Sustained Achievement. As the first Executive Director of the Baltimore County Office of Fair Practices and Community Affairs, she faithfully served the citizens of the County for over 37 years. She served as Deputy Director of the Baltimore County Office of Human Resources until her retirement from service in Baltimore Coun- ty Government on June 30, 2014. She is the Founder of the Annual Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival, now in its 30th year. Speaker Jones was born in Cowdensville, Maryland, a historic African-American community located near Arbutus in Southwest Baltimore County. She attend- ed Baltimore County Public Schools, graduating from Lansdowne High School and is a proud alumna of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. Speaker Jones received an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland.
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BEST WISHES
Delegate Mike Rogers District 43 Anne Arundel Delegate Nick Allen District 8 Baltimore Cty Delegate Lesley Lopez District 39 Montgomery Senator Nick Charles District 25 Prince George’s Delegate Mark Chang District 32 Anne Arundel
Senator Ben Brooks District 10 Baltimore Cty Senator Antonio Hayes District 40, Baltimore Delegate Adrienne Jones District 19 Baltimore Cty HOUSE SPEAKER Joseline Pena-Melnyk Delegate Jennifer W. Holland District 10 Baltimore Cty Delegate Jamila Ward District 26 Prince George’s
Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes District 37 Eastern Shore
Delegate Chao Wu District 9A Howard/Montgomery Delegate Pam Queen District 14 Montgomery
Delegate N. Scott Phillips District 10 Baltimore Cty Delegate J. Sandy Bartlett District 32 Anne Arundel
Delegate Cheryl Pasteur District 11 Baltimore Cty Delegate Jared Solomon District 18 Montgomery
Delegate Jeffrie Long, Jr. District 27, Charles, Calvert, Prince George’s Delegate Sean Stinnett District 41, Baltimore
Delegate Jeffrie E. Long, Jr. District 27B, PG, Charles, Calvert
Delegate Diana Fennell District 45A Prince George’s
Delegate Kris Fair District 3, Frederick Delegate Veronica Turner District 26 Prince George’s Delegate Dana Jones District 30 Anne Arundel
Delegate Altheia McCaskill District 44 Baltimore Cty
Delegate Denise Roberts District 25 Prince George’s
Delegate Gary Simmons District 12, Howard, Anne Arundel
Senator Shaneka Henson District 30 Anne Arundel
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collaborate * convene * connect
WHO ARE WE? One of the fastest growing membership organizations representing over 300 nonprofits and minority businesses in Prince George’s County and the DC metro area.
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CONNECT WITH US Call: 301.772.1552 Email: contact@pfccoalition.org www.pfccoalition.org 1801 McCormick Dr, Suite 260 Largo, Maryland 20774
Coming soon… Eastern Shore Black Chamber of Commerce Email: esbcc@gmail.com
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organize * strategize * mobilize
Greetings from the Maryland General Assembly
Dear Louis and Fellow Attendees: It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 Chambers of Commerce Advocacy Day in the Maryland General Assembly. This year’s theme, “Project 2026: Win Back the House and the Senate,” speaks to the urgency of the times in which we live and the shared responsibility we have to move our communities forward. As we gather during the week in which we honor the 97th birthday of Dr. Mar- tin Luther King, Jr., we pause to recognize and appreciate the many leaders, advocates, and public servants whose dedication and commitment have made a lasting difference in Maryland and beyond. Their work continues to inspire progress, equity, and opportunity for future generations. I would also like to congratulate this year’s awardees—Janice Hayes Williams, Jan Desper Peters, Rasheeda Martin, Carl Snowden, and Trish McClean. Thank you for your outstanding service and contributions to our communities. As your representative in the Maryland General Assembly, I remain committed to preserving and uplifting African American businesses. May this Chambers of Advocacy Day set the stage for meaningful dialogue, strong partnerships, and increased business opportunities for your members. Yours in service,
Sheree Sample-Hughes Delegate, Maryland General Assembly Dorchester & Wicomico Counties – Legislative District 37A
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collaborate * convene * connect
Engaging Elected Officials, Chambers of Commerce and Business Leaders January 15, 2026 In recognition of the 97th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , we thank all of you for attending this special day of dialogue and discussions between members of the business community, Maryland General Assembly and other public officials. This event will take place from 10AM-5PM on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the Maryland House of Delegates, 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis, Maryland. The day will begin at 10:00 AM with attendance at the House of Delegates and Senate sessions, followed by a program in the House Delegation Room 180. Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes has graciously reserved the meeting room. Special tributes...1pm-5pm, MD House of Delegates, Room 180, 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD. • Happy Birthday to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. • Thank you tribute to Speaker Adrienne A. Jones. • Welcome/Congratulations to Speaker Joseline Pena-Melnyk • Remarks from Elected Officials & Chambers of Commerce Awardees: Carl Snowden, Trish McClean, Jan Desper Peters, Janice Hayes Williams, Rasheeda Martin • A Tribute to Vince Leggett, Erol E. Brown, Carr’s Beach • A complimentary lunch will be provided. Special thanks to Ms. Marie Simms, Office of Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes, sponsors, and supporters, especially the People for Change Coalition, Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce, MMG Capital Group, our staff and volunteers. Key topics will include legislative priorities for 2026 including MGA leadership, committee chairmanships, midterm elections, State’s projected $1.4 billion budget deficit, MGA overrides, tourism bills, SB 587 MD Repa- rations bill, economic development and affordable housing issues, MBE/WBE procurement, regulatory updates, workforce initiatives, community issues and concerns of citizens. The program will feature remarks and presentations from our elected officials, chambers of commerce, NAACP and public policy advocates. Throughout the program there will be op- portunities for networking with officials and business leaders. Please share this invitation. Donations and volunteers are welcome! BAATC, post Office Box 3014, Baltimore, MD 21229 | Tel: 443.983.7974 | Email: thealliance443@gmail.com Lou Fields, Convenor, The ALLIANCE of Business Owners, Organizations and Supporters
Lou Fields is the co-founder and President of the Baltimore African American Tourism Council of MD, Inc. The Council’s mission “is to research, preserve, protect and promote Baltimore/Maryland’s African American History & Culture, and to utilize this heritage as a vital and beneficial product and a very important part of the Baltimore/ Maryland tourism industry.”
LOU FIELDS
www.atasteofsoul.biz | www.bdxlive.biz | www.mhtsebook.com
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AWARDEES CONGRATULATIONS to our CHAMBERS of COMMERCE ADVOCACY DAY AWARDEES
Jan Desper Peters
Carl Snowden
Friend of Freedom Award Community Service Award 2025 BEST in MARYLAND TOURISM AWARDEES
Janice Hayes- Williams
Trish McClean
Rasheeda Martin
Our Local Tours Annapolis, MD
Visit Baltimore Tourism
Annapolis/ Anne Arundel County Tourism
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AGENDA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ADVOCACY DAY
Schedule of Activities Thursday, January 15, 2026 Maryland House of Delegates
1:00 PM
Welcome—Jazmen Wilkerson, Justin Simon, Morgan State University, ‘26 Invocation—Pastor Robert R.A.. Turner, Empowerment Temple Church Birthday tribute to Dr. King….Carl Snowden, Convenor, Caucus of African American Leaders Greetings from Sandi Pruitt, CEO, People For Change Coalition/Prince George’s Black Chamber Greetings from Jerry McLaurin, Founder, Tampa Bay Black Chamber Remarks from James Makia, CEO, Presidents Roundtable Remarks from Ken White, President, MD Black Chamber Presentation: Gaining Access To Capital for your Business Presenter: Timothy Smoot, MMG CAPITAL GROUP Award Presentations—Lou Fields, Convenor, The Alliance Greetings from Mia Blom, Director of Governmental Relations Remarks by Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes Tribute to Speaker Emeritus Adrienne A. Jones Senator Ben Brooks, Delegate N. Scott Phillips, Delegate Jeannie Holland Lindsey MacCregor, Office of Johnny Olsewski Tribute to Vince Leggett, Ted Mack, Leonard Blackshear, Erol, Rachel & Phillip Brown…. Janice Hayes Williams Our Legacy Tours, Annapolis, MD 443.854.1315 Open Discussion with MD Chambers of Commerce Leaders Remarks from Willie Flowers, President, NAACP -Howard Co. President Obama Midterm Election Message Comptroller Brooke Lierman Speaker Joseline Pena-Melnyk
1:05 PM
1:10 PM
1:15 PM
1:20 PM 1:25 PM 1:30 PM 2:00 PM 2:05 PM 2:10 PM 2:15 PM
330 PM
4:00 PM 4:45 PM 5:00 PM
Program Concludes
The Alliance of Business Owners, Organizations c/o BAATC, President: Louis C. Fields, Tel: 443-983-7974 www.atasteofsoul.biz | www.bdxlive.biz | www.mhtsebook.com
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PROJECT 2026: WIN BACK THE HOUSE
2026 USA ELECTION CALENDAR What’s at Stake: 435 House Seats, 35 Senate Seats, 36 Gubernatorial Races, 1000s of State and Local Races nationwide January 3: 120th US Congress sworn in. January 30: Federal Funding Budget Deadline (prevent government shutdown) January 31: Special runoff election in Texas 18th Congressional District March 3: Arkansas Primary March 10: Special Election to fill Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene 14th Congressional vacated Georgia seat March 28-April 12: Congress in Recess April 13: SIN DIE, 449th MGA Session Adjourns May 19: Alabama Primary June 2: California Primary June 16: Alabama runoff June 23: Maryland Primary June 30: Colorado Primary July 4: America 250th Anniversary *semiquicentennial of signing of the US Declaration of Independence July 4 , 1776 August 4: Arizona Primary August 11: Connecticut Primary August 18: Alaska, Florida, Wyoming Primaries September 1: Massachusetts Primary September 8, New Hampshire, Rhode Island Primaries September 15: Delaware Primary Early October-Early November: Early Voting Period November 3: Midterm Elections
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TRIBUTE to DR. MART
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at Anne Arundel Community College
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TIN LUTHER KING, JR.
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2026
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