The Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce (GDBCC) invites you to its 11th Annual Black Business Gala as they celebrate the outstanding and continuous history of Black business achievement in Durham, NC. The 2026 Black Business Gala will honor the 2026 Woman of the Year, Teri Canada and the 2026 Man of the Year, Dorian Bolden.

The GDBCC will also award three businesses at the Black Business Gala, a 2026 Emerging Business of the Year (Bright Black Candles), a 2026 Longstanding Business of the Year (Perkins Orchard), and a 2026 Community Organization of the Year (Empowered Parents in Community).

The 2026 Black Business Gala will also  announce the winners of the 2026 Connia Watson Scholarship Awards to two outstanding high school seniors, powered by the EPICenter (Entrepreneurial Production & Innovation Center).

Tickets/Sponsors

In addition to attending the event, you may support the GDBCC, the honorees, awardees, and scholarship recipients by purchasing an ad in the GDBCC Souvenir Booklet, being a partner/sponsor, or making a donation. For more details on pricing and size requirements for ads/marketing and for sponsorship/partnership opportunities, please contact the GDBCC via email at thegdbcc@gmail.com. The submission deadline for ads to place in the souvenir booklet is 5pm on December 31, 2025.

Tickets can be purchased on the event site: https://blackgala.eventbrite.com/.

Parking

Parking for the luncheon is available at the Durham Centre Garage, located on W Morgan St. The garage is $2.25/hr. Limited street parking is available on W Morgan St and Foster St. Find directions to the venue and garage on our website.