National Black Chamber of Commerce

National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)

Background

The National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) was incorporated as The National Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. in 1993. The organization describes itself as “a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of African American communities.”

According to their website, “In essence, the NBCC is a 501(c)3 corporation that is on the leading edge of educating and training Black communities on the need to participate vigorously in this great capitalistic society known as America.”1About Us,” National Black Chamber of Commerce. Archived June 30, 2015.

The NBCC maintains at least 140 affiliated chapters in the United States, as well as international affiliate chapters based in Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, France, Botswana, Cameroon and Jamaica.

The National Black Chamber of Commerce is a proponent of coal power and hydraulic fracturing (fracking), as NBCC President/CEO Harry Alford revealed in a column supporting the Kemper power plant in Kemper County, Mississippi.2About The National Black Chamber of Commerce,” Kemperproject.org. Archived June 30, 2015.

Stance on Climate Change

“Certainly the climate changes as time goes on – sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. So far, there is no pattern that seems to be very detrimental to our earth. There is an ebb and flow and it takes time to see any significant detrimental trend. It is like Stevie Wonder wrote, ‘When you believe in things you don’t understand; you suffer. Superstition ain’t the way’.” – Harry Alford, co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce.3Environmental Racism, Global Warming and Climate Change,” National Black Chamber of Commerce. Archived June 30, 2015.

Funding

According to ExxonSecrets, The National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) has received over $1,000,000 from ExxonMobil since 1998.4ExxonSecrets Factsheet: National Black Chamber of Commerce. Accessed August 16, 2016.

NBCC’s President Harry C. Alford is unapologetic about the organization’s fossil fuel funding. Alford states on the group’s website (emphasis added):

“Recently, a writer from USA Today wanted to know if the National Black Chamber of Commerce receives money from fossil fuel companies (coal, oil, natural gas, petrochemicals, etc.). That is a ‘no brainer’. Of course we do and it is only natural. The legacy of Blacks in this nation has been tied to the miraculous history of fossil fuel and the economic growth in communities because of the successful harvest of fossil fuels. Consistent with the emergence of the Industrial Revolution and the availability of the Homestead Act for freed slaves, fossil fuels have been our economic friend.”5Fossil Fuels and African Americans – It’s Family!” National Black Chamber of Commerce. Archived July 31, 2015.

Conservative Transparency details the National Black Chamber of Commerce’s funding as follows, with data going up to 2013:6National Black Chamber of Commerce,” Recipient profile at Conservativetransparancy.org. Accessed June 30, 2015.

DonorContribution
American Petroleum Institute$75,000
DonorsTrust$25,000
Exxon Mobil$835,000
MyWireless.org$150,000
Grand Total$1,085,000

990 Forms

Key People

According to their website, “The National Black Chamber of Commerce does not distribute information about our members to protect their privacy.”7Frequently Asked Questions,” National Black Chamber of Commerce. Archived June 30, 2015.

  • Harry C. Alford – President & CEO.8Management Bios (PDF)”, National Black Chamber of Commerce. Accessed June 30. 2015. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmogBlog.
  • Kay DeBow Alford – Co‐founder.9Management Bios (PDF)”, National Black Chamber of Commerce. Accessed June 30. 2015. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmogBlog.

Actions

April 6, 2020

NBCC, represented by Harry Alford, was signatory to an American Energy Alliance letter to President Donald Trump supporting the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule which would scrap federal fuel economy mandates under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program.10CAFE-Coaliton-to-Trump-April-2020-9 (PDF), American Energy Alliance.

Describing CAFE, the letter contends: “Those families and individuals who prefer or need trucks, SUVs, and crossovers pay more to subsidize those who buy smaller vehicles or electric vehicles under the existing mandate. This significant, needless, and unjust cost is a very real regressive tax on American families that has made our country worse off.”11CAFE-Coaliton-to-Trump-April-2020-9 (PDF), American Energy Alliance.

May 9, 2019

National Black Chamber of Commerce, represented by Harry C. Alford, signed on to an open letter organized by the American Energy Alliance designed to fight against an electric vehicle tax credit.12Dear Senator Grassley, Senator Wyden, Representative Neal and Representative Brady:” May 9, 2019. Retrieved from The Daily Caller.

“The American Energy Alliance has organized a coalition to proclaim in one unified voice that there should be no expansion of the misguided electric vehicle tax credit,” Thomas Pyle wrote in a statement, quoted at The Daily Caller. There is no question that the electric vehicle tax credit distorts the auto market to no gain.”13Christ White. “CONSERVATIVES WARN LAWMAKERS: TESLA’S TAX CREDITS ‘OVERWHELMINGLY BENEFIT THE RICH’,”The Daily Caller, May 9, 2019. Archived May 9, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/qzvF3

According to Pyle and others who signed the letter, electric vehicle tax credits “overwhelmingly benefit the rich.” DeSmog’s Koch vs. Clean project has systematically debunked this, among other well-rehearsed talking points and misinformation put forward by industry about electric vehicles.14Christ White. “CONSERVATIVES WARN LAWMAKERS: TESLA’S TAX CREDITS ‘OVERWHELMINGLY BENEFIT THE RICH’,”The Daily Caller, May 9, 2019. Archived May 9, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/qzvF3

The letter cites research by the Pacific Research Institute (PRI), a group that has received over $600,000 from ExxonMobil and millions from “dark money” groups DonorsTrust and Donors Capital Fund.

February 12, 2018

The National Black Chamber of Commerce was one of several organizations to join Americans for Prosperity (AfP) in a coalition opposing a federal gas tax increase.15Americans For Prosperity Leads Coalition Against Gas Tax Hike,” Americans for Prosperity, February 12, 2018. Archived February 20, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/vNQMN

“Raising the gas tax is a bad idea. It will make the burden of government on families and businesses heavier,” the coalition’s open letter read.16Americans For Prosperity Leads Coalition Against Gas Tax Hike,” Americans for Prosperity, February 12, 2018. Archived February 20, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/vNQMN

Signatories include:17“Dear Representative:” (PDF), Americans for Prosperity, February 12, 2018.

NameTitleCompany
Brent Wm. GardnerChief Government Affairs OfficerAmer
Michael A. NeedhamCEOHeritage Action for America
Grover NorquistPresidentAmericans for Tax Reform
David McIntoshPresidentClub for Growth
Nathan NascimentoExecutive Vice PresidentFreedom Partners Chamber of Commerce
Mark ScribnerSenior FellowCompetitive Enterprise Institute
Jason PyeVice President of Legislative AffairsFreedomWorks
Tom SchatzPresidentCitizens Against Government Waste
Pete SeppPresidentNational Taxpayers Union
Phil KerpenPresidentAmerican Commitment
Mario H. LopezPresidentHispanic Leadership Fund
Daniel GarzaPresidentThe Libre Initiative
Carrie L. LukasPresidentIndependent Women’s Forum
Heather R. HigginsPresident and CEOIndependent Women’s Voice
Harry C. AlfordPresident and CEONational Black Chamber of Commerce
Jeffrey MazellaPresidentCenter for Individual Freedom
Donald BrysonPresidentCivitas Action
David BarnesPolicy DirectorGeneration Opportunity
Norm SingletonPresidentCampaign for Liberty
Judson PhillipsFounderTea Party Nation
Seton MotleyPresidentLess Government
Kim Crockett, Esq.Vice President, Senior Fellow and General CounselCenter of the American Experiment
Tom Brinkman, Jr.ChairmanCoalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST)
Matthew KandrachPresidentConsumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE)
Katie McAulliffeExecutive DirectorDigital Liberty
Brett HealyPresidentJohn K. MacIver Institute
Sean NoblePresidentAmerican Encore
Annette MeeksCEOFreedom Foundation of Minnesota
Andrew F. QuinlanPresidentCenter for Freedom and Prosperity

September 2017

A Bloomberg article on Harry Alford and the National Black Chamber of Commerce illustrates a connection between NBCC, Alford, and DCI Group LLC. DCI Group is a lobbying and PR firm, which has historically worked with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco and was behind the now-defunct Tech Central Station (TCS), a website that worked as a forum for climate change skeptics and received direct funding from ExxonMobil for “climate change support.” Bloomberg noted that many groups that benefited from the NBCC’s actions have also hired DCI, donated money to NBCC, or both. Examples included ExxonMobil, Penn National Gaming, and numerous others.18Zachary R. Mider. “When Harry Alford Speaks Up, a Washington Firm’s Clients Gain,” Bloomberg, September 14, 2017. Archived September 19, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/IuiRd 19Kevin Grandia. “ABC News: Gore spoof video linked to Republican/Exxon Spinster,” DeSmogBlog, August 4, 2006.

Bloomberg offered a summary chart of causes backed by the NBCC that also benefited large companies and investors, reproduced below:20Zachary R. Mider. “When Harry Alford Speaks Up, a Washington Firm’s Clients Gain,” Bloomberg, September 14, 2017. Archived September 19, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/IuiRd

NBCC ACTIONBENEFICIARYHIRED DCIDONATED TO NBCC
Opposed Puerto Rico bankruptcy billInvestors in Puerto Rico bondsY
Criticized government handling of Fannie MaeInvestors in Fannie Mae sharesY
Opposed limits on swipe feesVisa Y
Opposed pollution regulationsExxon MobilYY
Bought ad supporting phosphate mineMosaic
Backed Samsung at Int’l Trade CommissionSamsung in dispute with AppleY
Advocated for Argentine bondholdersInvestors in Argentine bondsY
Supported solar measure backed by utilitiesGulf Power Y
Opposed Anna Nicole Smith’s claim on fortuneHeirs of billionaire J. Howard Marshall IIY
Opposed casino expansion in MarylandPenn National GamingYY
Fought “gainful employment” ruleFor-profit college operator EDMCYY
Defended rum tariff rules in U.S. Virgin IslandsFortune Brands and Diageo

January 12, 2017

NBCC’s President Harry C. Alford was a signatory to a January 12, 2017 official letter of support (PDF) for Scott Pruitt, in which numerous groups, including The Heartland Institute, American Energy Alliance (AEA), and others, declared that the Senate should “swiftly approve his nomination” for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Other signatories of the letter included:21“Dear Senators,” (PDF), Competitive Enterprise Institute, January 12, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

June 13, 2016

The National Black Chamber of Commerce was listed as a creditor in Peabody Energy’s 2016 bankruptcy filings, reports the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD/PRWatch).22Nick Surgey. “Peabody Coal Bankruptcy Reveals Climate Denial Network Funding,” PRWatch, June 13, 2016. Archived June 20, 2016. WebCite URL: http://www.webcitation.org/6iPmXjc4W

While the available bankruptcy documents do not list the scale or dates of funding, they outline Peabody Energy’s financial ties to a large network of groups promoting climate change denial.23In re: Peabody Energy Corporation, et al. Debtors,” United States Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Missouri Eastern Division, Case 16-42529, May 27, 2016. Retrieved from DocumentCloud.

Prominent individuals appearing in the documents include climate deniers Willie Soon, Richard Lindzen, Roy Spencer and Richard Berman. The long list of organizations also includes groups such as Americans for Prosperity, American Legislative Exchange Council, CFACT, Institute for Energy Research, State Policy Network, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and dozens more.24Farron Cousins. “Court Documents Show Coal Giant Peabody Energy Funded Dozens Of Climate Denial Groups,” DeSmogBlog, June 13, 2016.

The Guardian also analysed and reported on the Peabody bankruptcy findings:25Suzanne Goldenberg and Helena Bengtsson. “Biggest US coal company funded dozens of groups questioning climate change,” The Guardian, June 13, 2016. Archived June 20, 2016. WebCite URL: http://www.webcitation.org/6iPnEUG1o

“These groups collectively are the heart and soul of climate denial,” said Kert Davies, founder of the Climate Investigation Center, who has spent 20 years tracking funding for climate denial. “It’s the broadest list I have seen of one company funding so many nodes in the denial machine.”

The company’s filings reveal funding for a range of organisations which have fought Barack Obama’s plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and denied the very existence of climate change. […]

Among Peabody’s beneficiaries, the Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change has insisted – wrongly – that carbon emissions are not a threat but “the elixir of life” while the American Legislative Exchange Council is trying to overturn Environmental Protection Agency rules cutting emissions from power plants. Meanwhile, Americans for Prosperity campaigns against carbon pricing. The Oklahoma chapter was on the list. […]

“The breadth of the groups with financial ties to Peabody is extraordinary. Thinktanks, litigation groups, climate scientists, political organisations, dozens of organisations blocking action on climate all receiving funding from the coal industry,” said Nick Surgey, director of research for the Center for Media and Democracy.

“We expected to see some denial money, but it looks like Peabody is the treasury for a very substantial part of the climate denial movement.”

Notable organizations listed in the initial documents include:

Notable individuals named in the initial documents include the following:

November 4, 2015

The National Black Chamber of Commerce’s President and CEO Harry Alford published an article in the Philadelphia Tribune where he describes global warming as a “costly farce.”26Harry C. Alford. “Global warming proponents cling to costly farce,” The Philadelphia Tribune, November 4, 2015. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmogBlog.

“[The NOAA and NASA ]have reported that there has been no global warming detected for the last 18 years. That is over 216 months in a row that there has been no detected global warming. At the same time, sea ice in Antarctica is building up at record levels,” Alford writes. “

“No global warming, but millions of jobs have been erased through adverse regulations in the name of addressing the global warming issue. Billions of dollars, mostly tax dollars, have been spent trying to address the same ‘ghost.’ Many low-income and minority communities have greatly suffered from these onerous regulations that seem to be made in vain.”

Alford says that the “the National Black Chamber of Commerce has been slandered for its energy positions”, but claims that “we are right and they are wrong.”

However, climate scientists provide an explanation for this supposed hiatus in global warming. According to Michael Mann at Penn State University, “There certainly has not been a hiatus in global warming — global warming hasn’t stopped, even though you still hear those contrarian talking points.”27Graham Readfearn. “Global warming hiatus explained and it’s not good news,” ABC Environment, April 8, 2015. Archived March 22, 2016. WebCite URL: http://www.webcitation.org/6gCqfe6bV

An 2015 analysis by US government scientists in the journal Nature and Climate Change suggested that if temporary natural fluctuations were ignored then world was probably now warming at a rate of about 0.2°C per decade — higher than the IPCC’s longer-term average.28Near-term acceleration in the rate of temperature change,” Nature Climate Change 333–336 (2015).

August 25, 2015

The National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) was a “Supporting Organization” at the Heartland Institute‘s “Affordable Energy Summit 8.0,” which was co-sponsored with the Libertarian Party of Nevada in Las Vegas. Niger Innis, who serves on the NBCC’s Board of Directors, was a speaker at the summit.29Speakers,” Affordable Energy Summit 8.0. Archived September 3, 2015.

According to the Affordable Energy Summit’s “Events” webpage, the purpose of the summit was to “discuss the costs of climate change, as well as the fiscal and environmental impact of the so-called ‘Clean Power Plan.’” 30Events,” Affordable Energy Summit 8.0. Archived September 3, 2015. The “Events” page of the Affordable Energy Summit’s website goes on to state that the speakers at the National Clean Energy Summit, which took place just one day earlier, “believe that evidence of man-made global warming is enough to justify any action intended to solve the problem, without regard for effectiveness and without any regard for the expense.”31Events,” Affordable Energy Summit 8.0. Archived September 3, 2015.

The Heartland Institute’s James Taylor wrote in Forbes that, “Unlike the Clean Energy Summit, the Affordable Energy Summit will present the full picture on energy, economics, and the environment.” Taylor asserts that wind and solar power initiatives are “not only prohibitively expensive, but they produce worse environmental damage than the conventional power Obama and Reid seek to vilify.”32James Taylor. “What The Clean Energy Summit Doesn’t Want You To Know,” Forbes, August 24, 2015. Archived September 3, 2015.

July 28, 2015

The National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) announced that it had joined forces with Consumers for Smart Solar effort to support the “Smart Solar Amendment, “ which would be a “Consumer-friendly alternative to the Shady Solar Amendment proposed by Floridians for Solar Choice.”33(Press Release) “National Black Chamber of Commerce Joins Effort in Support of Consumer-friendly Smart Solar Amendment,” PRNewswire-USNewswire, July 28, 2015. Archived July 31, 2015.

NBCC submitted a brief to the Florida Supreme Court, claiming that the Solar Amendment was misleading.34“INITIAL BRIEF OF OPPONENT NATIONAL BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE” (PDF), Case Nos. SC15-780, SC15-890. Filing # 28320521 E-Filed 06/10/2015 01:47:04 PM. Archived July 31, 2015.

“As an advocate of small and minority-owned businesses, the National Black Chamber of Commerce is concerned with the substantial, negative impacts the Shady Solar Amendment may have on small and minority businesses,” said Harry C. Alford, President/CEO of NBCC. “These negative impacts – potential increases in electric service rates and higher state and local taxes – are why we oppose the Shady Solar Amendment.”35(Press Release) “National Black Chamber of Commerce Joins Effort in Support of Consumer-friendly Smart Solar Amendment,” PRNewswire-USNewswire, July 28, 2015. Archived July 31, 2015.

June, 2015

As reported by Media Matters, The National Black Chamber of Commerce joined other organizations including Americans for Prosperity, the Beacon Hill Institute, and the State Policy Network in an op-ed campaign opposing the EPA’s climate change plan. NBCC President Harry C. Alford alleged in newspapers across the U.S. that the Clean Power Plan would impose “economic hardship” on blacks and Hispanics.36Denise Robbins and Andrew Seifter. “National Black Chamber Of Commerce Joins Oil Industry’s Op-Ed Campaign Against EPA Climate Plan,” Media Matters, June 26, 2015. Archived June 30, 2015.

Seven nearly-identicall op-eds were published:

  1. “The EPA vs. Iowa’s minorities” – The Des Moines Register (June 23, 2015)
  2. “Another Voice: ‘Clean power’ will impose hardships on minorities” – The Buffalo News (June 24, 2015)
  3. “Harry C. Alford: The EPA vs. Oklahoma’s minorities” – Tulsa World (June 22, 2015)
  4. “The EPA vs. Pennsylvania’s minorities” – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (June 24, 2015)
  5. “Reader View: Clean Power Plan a matter of justice” – The Santa Fe New Mexican (June 22, 2015)
  6. “Their View: Minorities to suffer under proposed EPA emissions standards” – Centre Daily Times (June 22, 2015)
  7. “Harry C. Alford: The EPA vs. West Virginia minorities” – Charleston Daily Mail (June 22, 2015)

Media Matters also reports that of the seven reports that the NBCC cites in the op-eds, three predate the Clean Power Plan, one was a preliminary analysis by a mining group, and the others received funding from fossil fuel interests.

The Op-Eds make reference to a study made by the National Black Chamber of Commerce that has also been repeated cited across conservative media sources. The original study, titled “Potential Impact of Proposed EPA Regulations on Low Income Groups and Minorities” is available here (PDF).

According to the study’s abstract, “EPA is proposing new regulations, including guidelines to reduce CO2 emissions from existing fossil-fueled power plants. These regulations would have serious economic, employment, and energy impacts at the national level and for all states, and the impacts on low-income groups, Blacks, and Hispanics would be especially severe. The EPA rules would: 1) Significantly reduce U.S. GDP every year over the next two decades – over $2.3 trillion; 2) Destroy millions of jobs; 3) More than double the cost of power and natural gas to over $1 trillion; 4) Require the average family to pay over $1,225 more for power and gas in 2030 than in 2012.”

The report was prepared by Management Information Services, Inc. According to the group’s website, the company has a history of providing services and reports for the oil and coal industries (American Electric Power Company, Chesapeake Energy, Energy Corporation of America, Peabody Energy, Washington Gas Company, Affordable Power Alliance, National Coal Council, to name a few).37Clients: Private Industry,” Management Information Services. Inc. Archived July 31, 2015. 38Clients: Trade and Professional Associations,” Management Information Services. Inc. Archived July 31, 2015.

Harry Alford also testified at the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on June 23, 2015 to oppose the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. With reference to the NBCC study, Alford said that “The study finds that the Clean Power Plan will inflict severe and disproportionate economic burdens on poor families, especially minorities.” He continued, saying “The EPA’s proposed regulation for GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions from existing power plants is a slap in the face to poor and minority families.” Video below.39Ali Meyer. “Black Chamber of Commerce: EPA Clean Air Plan Will Increase Black Poverty 23%, Strip 7,000,000 Black Jobs,” CNSnews.com, June 24, 2015.

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) rebutted this view, saying that states who have taken action on climate change have seen their economies grow:

“Many states, such as New York and Delaware, have already taken action to reduce the largest emitter of carbon pollution – power plant emissions,” Carper said. “As we will hear today, the economies of these states continue to grow at a faster rate than the states that have yet to put climate regulations in place. However, we need all states to do their fair share to protect the air we breathe and stem the tide of climate change. The EPA’s Clean Power Plan attempts to do just that.”

September, 2013

The National Black Chamber of Commerce was a signatory to a letter designed by the American Energy Alliance (AEA) asking Congress not to renew wind energy tax credits that would expire at the end of the year.40David E. Newton. Wind Energy: A Reference Handbook: A Reference Handbook. (P. 74)

Other signers of the letter included:

July 16, 2009

Black Chamber of Commerce President Harry Alford had a heated exchange with Senator Boxer in a discussion on Global Warming Job Losses at a hearing by Senator James Inhofe’s Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Video below.41National Black Chamber of Commerce President Takes on Chairman Boxer Over Global Warming Job Losses,” YouTube Video uploaded by user Senator Jim Inhofe. July 16, 2009.

2005

The National Black Chamber of Commerce worked with the 60 Plus Association and United for Jobs as a coalition to oppose climate legislation put forward by Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), as reported by Connor Gibson at Polluterwatch.42Connor Gibson. “Science Denial and Andrea Saul – Romney 2012 Campaign Spokesperson,” PolluterWatch, August 6, 2012.

NBCC Contact & Location

As of June 2016, the National Black Chamber of Commerce listed the following contact information on its website:43Contact,” National Black Chamber of Commerce. Archived June 16, 2016. WebCite URL: http://www.webcitation.org/6iK1Rl4Am

400 Jenifer St NW Suite 331
Washington DC, 20015

[email protected]
Phone: (202) 466-6888
Fax: (202) 466-4918

http://www.nationalbcc.org

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