Rich Wallace, president and CEO of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, is a dedicated leader committed to empowering African American entrepreneurs. His journey has paved the way for countless others, particularly people of color striving for success.
Wallace began his career at 16, breaking racial barriers as the first African American to work in a downtown Fort Worth, Texas, department store. During segregation, he sold shoes to Black customers when white employees refused.
“This made me feel like I was the best salesperson because I was making a lot of money. But in reality, I was only serving Black customers—and there were plenty of them,” Wallace recalled.
Before integration in 1962, Wallace attended an all-Black school and lived through the civil rights movement. Drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970, he served as a gunner and radio operator during the Vietnam War, overcoming racial barriers and Jim Crow laws.
After his military service, Wallace launched several restaurants in Texas before moving to California, where he fell in love with the beaches and sunshine. Recognizing a lack of support for Black entrepreneurs, he founded the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce in 1992. Today, the chamber has 15 chapters, serving more than 3,000 Black-owned businesses from the desert to the sea.
“The chamber offers resources, networking, and business education. In 2015, it launched the Chamber Business Academy, which oversees YouthBuild Inland Empire, helping out-of-school youth and adults earn diplomas, gain career skills, and enroll in college. In 2022, Wallace expanded his vision with Edge TV Network, providing business insights, streaming, and entertainment.”
This year Wallace urges the Black community to focus on business growth, creative thinking, and family support. He emphasizes the power of collective strength, noting that Black consumers drive significant economic influence.
“Many Black businesses start after job loss but often fail early due to paperwork challenges—not poor business models. He took cues from rappers who sold music from their car trunks, emphasizing consistency and full effort. Success in entrepreneurship isn’t instant; persistence is key.”
With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon in Los Angeles, Wallace sees major opportunities for minority business owners. He encourages community members to get involved, whether by joining the Black Chamber or another organization working toward economic progress.
“No matter who the Black leader is, we should not put each other down. We share a common goal and need to uplift one another. We must not allow big companies to divide us,” he said.
Always strive to make an impact, no matter what you do,” Wallace said.
