USBC Board of Directors

Meet the National Leadership Team

kerwinKerwin Brown brings considerable experience with over twenty years in marketing and business development. He has held numerous sales, management and business development positions in the insurance, banking and investment industries. He managed the development of the in-branch retail brokerage program for Wells Fargo Bank and managed sales and marketing for a national, community bank program for Transamerica Life Insurance Company.

Kerwin is President and CEO of The Black Chamber of Arizona (formerly The Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce) and has been appointed as Treasurer and Western Regional Director for the United States Black Chambers, Inc. Notable is his involvement as a board member with Take Charge America, board member for Tanner Properties, Inc. and board member for The City of Phoenix Residential Investment Development Effort, as well as a board member for the Phoenix Police Foundation. Kerwin has been appointed by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton to sit on the Phoenix Transportation Committee and appointed by Governor Janice Brewer to the Arizona Commission of African-American Affairs.   

He has received numerous awards including the Community Partnership Champion's Award from Magellan Health Services, he was awarded Community Leadership Recognition from Pet Smart and The Phoenix Suns, he received the Leadership Award from Power of the Word Ministries and he was a 2013 Father of the Year Honoree for The American Diabetes Association.  Kerwin is also listed as one of the AZ Business Leaders in AZ Business Leaders Magazine.

Kerwin attended California State University Los Angeles and the ASU W.P. Carey Small Business Leadership Academy. He lives in Phoenix, AZ with his wife Laurie Mae and he is the proud father of three children.

clay_hammond-smJim currently serves as chairperson of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of commerce (TAAACC).  TAAACC is an association of twenty-one (21) local chambers of commerce, representing over 10,000 small businesses. The mission of TAAACC is to: ensure that African American business owners receive a fair share of the economic prosperity of Texas; to serve as a catalyst for a better quality of life in African American communities throughout Texas; and to support legislation and policies that allow African-Americans access to economic opportunities. James “Jim” Wyatt is native of El Campo, Texas, and is the second oldest of seven children. Jim is married to Melody and they have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Jim retired from DuPont after a 38 year career in Material Management; In addition, Jim served as a local elected official for nearly 20 years including Mayor Pro-Tem. Since 1996, Jim is the proud owner of K & W Associates, Inc. ., a consulting firm that improves work place skills and management.

kathy-smROBIN LISA DOUGLAS, President/CEO/Founder of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Westchester and Rockland Counties, Inc. (ACCWR).  Established June 28, 1996.

The African American Chamber of Commerce of Westchester and Rockland Counties, Inc. was established as an independent not-for-profit agency to assist, counsel and protect the interest of the African American Business concerns.  Our mission is to preserve enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of Westchester and Rockland Counties.

Robin is the grand daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Robinson Jr. and the only child of Mr. Herbert Frederick Douglas and Mrs. Gussie B. Douglas (both deceased).  Robin enjoys being introduced in that manner, because, while traveling in the south visiting relatives, she noted, it was more important to whom you belonged then who you think you are.

Robin is a graduate of Mercy College with a BS in Finance. She was nominated and listed twice among the "Who's Who" in American Colleges and a 2001 Mercy College Hall of Fame Alumnae/i.  She a New York State licensed Cosmetologist.  She attended NY City College and receiving a certificate to teach vocational education and a graduate of the Tuck Executive Education program at Dartmouth.

Born in the Bronx, Robin has called Mount Vernon her home for 39 years.  She was a teacher in the NYC public school system for 15 years; a member of Sacred Heart Church; the Westchester Black Women's Political Caucus; the NAACP; Girl Scouts of America; a former Mount Vernon district leader; a former legislative aid to Assemblyman Pretlow; a member of a number of local boards, a member of One Hundred Black Women of NYC, a life member of the National Council of Negro Women in NYC, a former member of the Westchester Business Journals Editorial Advisory Board, a member of NYS Heritage Trail Commission appointed by Gov. George Pataki, a member of city of Mount Vernon, NY’s Comprehensive Plan Committee, Mercy College’s Advisory Board, the MWBE program consultant to the City of Mount Vernon, NY and an appointed member of Westchester County Executive, Robert Astorino’s Business Leaders Economic  Advisory Council.

At the age of 17, Robin was among 10 young women selected to represent the USA in India as a student diplomat.  She later became an adult chaperone for the same program, escorting young women to Mexico.

Robin is the President of the family owned company The Millen Group, a consulting firm located in Mount Vernon, NY.

"I attribute all that I am, to the teachings of my Grand Parents, Mother, Aunts and Uncles; It is that village that raised this child."

vetaVeta Lynn Jeffery has spent her life fighting for the rights of others.  Mrs. Jeffery began her professional career advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities.  Her conflict resolution abilities allowed her to serve families by helping them to successfully navigate through education, employment, building and housing issues.  She went on to spend 18 years working in the financial services industry as a licensed professional and the Manager of Financial Services, where she ran agencies gaining national recognition.  She received awards and recognition for her ability to develop strong leaders in business and communities and positioned them to serve as ambassadors offering a voice to the voiceless.  Mrs. Jeffery identifies as a Servant Leader and her desire is to be positioned to help facilitate avenues for others to have access.  She has had the opportunity to travel nationally speaking on behalf of various corporations where her role was to bridge diversity gaps; teach others to be financially independent and develop economic development programs for individuals and communities.  Her passion is in building communities and strengthening families. She currently serves in a dual role as a Senior Vice President of Community and Economic Development for Midwest BankCentre and the Executive Director of the Heartland St. Louis Black Chamber of Commerce.  In her current position, Mrs. Jeffery identifies success as when she positions individuals or business owners to have access and/or opportunity.  The mission of the Chamber is to make an economic impact on the St. Louis region by organizing the black business community and creating an echo system through which we can build capacity for these owners.  She currently serves on the advisory board for The Empowerment Network where part of their mission is to heighten awareness of every level of dealing with Prostate Cancer.   Mrs. Jeffery is married to Pastor Tony Jeffery, Pastor of The Center of Life Christian Church and they are the proud parents of two beautiful girls, Ishmaiah age 17 and Toni age 8.