Chairman Taps Ed Dillard President of Black Wall Street Merchants

By Globe Staff

Dillard has a strong track record for securing contracts for African American contractors and businesses

OAKLAND- In a surprise move the Black Wall Street Merchants Association (www.blackwallstreet.org) has selected Ed Dillard as their new President. Dillard is currently President and Chairman of the board for the Oakland Black Board of Trade and Commerce (OBBTC) a successful lobbying group for Bay Area African American contractors and businesses .

As President, Dillard will preside at all meetings of the Association. It shall be the duty of the President to appoint the necessary chairperson of each Committee to embrace respectively the following activities: Leads-Attendance, Membership-Classification and Social-Acquaintance. Also, as the President Dillard may at any time appoint Special Committees that may be essential to the Association; provided however, that such Committees shall not be authorized to assume any duty or exert any authority delegated to the Board of Directors.

Dillard said in response to his new post, "I am excited to be working with a group of merchants with vision and purpose." I'm simply overwhelmed with joy and the all the possibilities it will bring to The Black Wall Street Merchants Association and the Black Wall Street District In Oakland." Dillard said.

Commenting on the appointment Rev. Michael Carter, Sr., Board Chairman of the Black Wall Street Merchants Association said of Dillard" His experience and community involvement is an added bonus for the merchant group ." Carter, Sr. said " Dillard has a strong track record for securing contracts for African American contractors and businesses."

The new President may be reached at edillard@blackwallstreet.org or call him at 510 706 9005

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About The Black Wall Street Merchants Association
The Black Wall Street Merchants Association is a not-for profit enterprise that serves as an advocate for commerce in the African American community, that promotes ethics, and that seeks to preserve the economic growth, social and cultural vitality of the community. Since its founding in 1999, it has served as an effective business and social networking organization. It seeks to establish and maintain good working relations with African American, Churches, organizations and businesses from 50th Avenue to 109th Avenue Bound by International Boulevard In Oakland. The BWS Merchants Association's Work Plan is based on service and advocacy. Ensure member's investment is returned in direct services that promote, market, and support the districts and individual businesses. Advocate effectively for the implementation of the policies essential to the continued revitalization. www. blackwallstreet.org