Ernest Strickland has been named president and CEO of the Black Business Association of Memphis (BBA), and brings with him this message: “If we get this right, Memphis is a different city — a competitive city.”
He’s been serving with the Greater Memphis Chamber’s senior leadership team, most recently as senior vice president of workforce development. In his new position, which he assumes on Thursday, April 1st, Strickland will oversee the 47-year-old nonprofit that has a mission of empowering entrepreneurship and improving business and growth opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses.
Strickland succeeds Mark Yates, who remains as chairman of the BBA Board of Directors and is now regional VP of West Region for TVA.
“With his understanding of economic development, particularly in a city that is majority minority, Ernest brings the experience and understanding of what minority-owned businesses need to thrive in our city,” Yates said in a statement. “He will ultimately take BBA to the next level.”
Throughout his 15-year career at the Chamber, Strickland held various roles, from business development in membership to vice president of international business development before leading the workforce development team.
“The time is right because there is a heightened awareness and intentionality around the value of creating wealth in the African-American community,” said Strickland. “When Memphis is able to speak to wealth creation, in addition to addressing poverty, we will shift the conversation and ultimately shift the outcomes.”
Strickland says his vision for BBA is to focus on three key areas: talent, acquisition, and talent acquisition. “At the heart of business is its people, its talent. We hope to provide next level leadership training for African-American professionals — taking managers, entrepreneurs, and business owners through coursework that will be able to take them to the next level in their careers and business,” he said. “Through acquisition, we will look for opportunities for black businesses to grow and expand by acquiring established companies. Finally, through talent acquisition, as we develop next level leadership training we will amass a diverse list of candidates for hiring opportunities.”
Prior to joining the Chamber, Strickland, a Memphis native, owned and operated Investors First Realty, a brokerage a residential real estate investment firm. He graduated from University of Memphis, and got his MBA from Bethel University. He serves on the Greater Memphis Workforce Board, New Memphis Board of Trustees, and Whole Child Strategies Board of Directors.