By Tabitha Donnell
In Savannah, where stories carry weight and shape direction, the Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce brought intention to the table with its inaugural Media Day. Designed to bridge the gap between the Chamber and local media, the gathering created space for alignment, access, and a shared understanding of how stories are told and who they reach.
Media professionals joined Chamber leadership for a morning centered on connection and clarity. The event recognized the role of local media in highlighting the presence, growth, and impact of Black-owned businesses across the region, while also opening the door for stronger collaboration moving forward.
Guests gathered over a complimentary brunch before engaging in a focused presentation outlining GSBCC’s vision, upcoming initiatives, and continued efforts to support minority and women-owned businesses. The goal was clear: strengthen communication, increase visibility, and ensure the stories shaping the business community are consistently and accurately shared.
At the center of the program, GSBCC President Moncello Stewart spoke candidly about the need for intentional relationship-building. “For a long time, it’s been hard for us to get coverage on events. It’s been hard for us to build those relationships. And so what we did, we didn’t make excuses. We didn’t say this is why… we said let’s work harder. Let’s work a little harder to build those media partners,” he shared. “We understand media cannot come to everything, but we wanted the media to know that when you see our events, they’re just as important as anybody else’s events you see.”
The event concluded with time for direct conversation, allowing relationships to take shape beyond formal programming. These exchanges created a foundation for ongoing collaboration rooted in trust and mutual respect.
GSBCC’s inaugural Media Day delivered on its intent. It brought together those doing the work and those responsible for telling it, creating a clearer path forward where communication is stronger, access is improved, and the full story of Savannah’s business community can be told.
