As part of GSBA’s Economic Development Day celebration, a landmark event took place on May 22 at the Amazon Arizona Building, where the creation of the Washington Minority Business Coalition (WMBC) was officially announced. This historic moment brought together prominent figures from the business and government sectors, including Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and Roby Schapira, Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo.

The coalition was born from a shared vision led by Marcos Wanless, President of the Latino Chambers of Commerce in Seattle and Tacoma; Ilona Lohrey, President and CEO of GSBA; Shanon Yop, President of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Washington; and Samantha Lee, President and CIO of the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce. Together, they collaborated to create an initiative aimed at strengthening the business ecosystem for historically marginalized communities.

The WMBC is dedicated to empowering minority-owned businesses that are part of various associations, promoting economic equity, and advocating for their rights. Its mission is to ensure that these communities gain fair access to the opportunities that are too often reserved for the white majority—ensuring no one is left behind in the state’s economic growth.

This milestone marks a significant step toward a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive economy, where development truly represents the entire community.