Champions for Diversity & Inclusion Awards 2024: Linda Ogbah Faas doubles memberships at African Chamber of Commerce

Reported in St. Louis Business Journal 

Linda Ogbah Faas has been an integral part of the African Chamber of Commerce in St. Louis for four years, serving as its president for the past two years. In her role as president, Ogbah Faas has increased the chamber's membership list from 300 to more than 600 members and increased active paying memberships by 60% in the past year alone.

In addition, she has advanced the Chamber's partnerships with Greater St. Louis, local banks, nonprofits, schools, businesses, and the World Trade Center St. Louis, where she recently organized and hosted a reception for African delegates from Rwanda and Kenya.

Outside of work, Ogbah Faas has published multiple books, participates in half-marathons, served in the U.S. Navy for seven years, and is currently serving with the Army National Guard.

What personal accomplishment in the past two years has helped advance DEI at your company/organization? My position as the president of the African Chamber of Commerce St. Louis enabled me to create opportunities for African-based St. Louisans to connect with like-minded business owners in the region for opportunities to grow their businesses and/or advance in their professional careers. Some of those include: multi-ethnic chamber mixers; a trade mission to Kenya, scheduled for October 2024; quarterly business women brunch; monthly education series to provide resources; increased membership list from 300 to more than 600 and increased active paying memberships by 60% in the past year.

What are the biggest challenges you face when incorporating DEI in your organization? The biggest challenge that we face in the African Chamber of Commerce is opportunities to receive contracts and/or higher paying jobs due to our limited experience here in America, or our strong accents, or maybe not knowing many of the right people. We are all working hard to open doors and break down barriers on our own, without the influence, support and background of more prominent and well-known key figures in our respective industries. This is very limiting and challenging for our members.