A large group of businesswomen turned out to be inspired by Tamuri Richardson, President of the Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce.

DIXON, CA (MPG) - “We are not fighting for the freedom of the negro alone but for the freedom of the human spirit,” said Ella Baker, African American civil rights and human rights activist who worked alongside most noted civil rights leaders of the 20th century.

All over the south, Ella made speeches about freedom, voting, and rights. Words straight from her heart to the hearts of her audience. Then she’d ask what do you hope to accomplish? Her motto was ‘Lift as you climb.”

Tamuri Richardson, President, Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce, shares similar convictions. She doesn’t like the idea of calling women in business a “sisterhood” as she doesn’t know how another woman might have grown up or what values another woman might have but she does know what women in business should be doing for each other.

“Show respect for each other, have genuine adoration for each other and treat each other the way you want to be treated,” she told a large group of women entrepreneurs and women professionals at a Chamber-sponsored presentation in downtown Dixon.

There was a wide variety of professions and careers represented such as insurance sales, engineering, safety consulting for women in construction, mental health clinician, paralegal service provider, Realtor, school speech therapist, District Attorney, journalist, licensed cosmetologist, wine bar owner, psychology student, and several small business owners. They were there to be inspired.

Richardson, who holds degrees in Business Administration and Management as well as Communications, is President of the Solano Black Chamber of Commerce which grew to 906 members under her direction.

Tamuri Richardson.

“Four hundred of them don’t look like me,” she said. “My mission is to not be a black Chamber. We should not need cultural Chambers. We should be advocating for all businesses for all people, not your people or her people. Cute and cuddly don’t get it. I’m here to advocate for your business.”

Richardson said she learned to stand up for herself and how to express herself because she grew up with seven brothers. Her down-to-earth and straightforward style of presenting was as inspiring as her message. It is no surprise she has spoken in other countries and is an author, mental health advocate, and coach.

“Leadership is never about me. It’s about lifting others; about empowering others. We all have different needs,” she said. She also encouraged women to share their knowledge, even collaborate, to help other businesswomen. “Entrepreneurship can be difficult and with others, you can open up and widen your horizon. There are opportunities. Say something if you see somewhere to improve. Don’t presume it will work itself out. Sometimes you see things other people don’t see.”

The Dixon Chamber of Commerce presents quarterly seminars for Women in Business such as this one. They also offer a Business Networking Group meeting every third Thursday. To contact Richardson, call (707) 673-2148, or contact the Dixon Chamber of Commerce, 220 North Jefferson, or call (707) 678-2650.