Michigan Black Business Alliance Names Vincent Pierson as Chief Operating Officer

December 11, 2025

The Michigan Black Business Alliance has hired Vincent Pierson as its new Chief Operating Officer to strengthen support for the state's growing Black entrepreneurial community. Pierson brings over 15 years of experience in organizational leadership, including directing diversity initiatives at Minor League Baseball and founding the Black Sports Business Academy that connects HBCU students to careers in sports and entertainment. The Alliance currently serves more than 2,300 member businesses and has facilitated access to over $13 million in funding through its programs.

Who is affected

Vincent Pierson (newly appointed COO)
More than 2,300 MBBA member businesses across Michigan
Black entrepreneurs in Michigan's urban, suburban, and rural communities
Charity Dean (MBBA President and CEO)
HBCU students connected through the Black Sports Business Academy
Black business owners navigating capital access, procurement, and economic development barriers

What action is being taken

MBBA is appointing Vincent Pierson as Chief Operating Officer
The Alliance is representing and supporting over 2,300 member businesses
MBBA is connecting members to funding opportunities (having facilitated access to over $13 million)
Pierson is leading the Black Sports Business Academy
The organization is advocating for policy changes and pushing issues of capital access and procurement inequities forward
MBBA is expanding key initiatives supporting business growth, capital access, market visibility, and policy advocacy

Why it matters

This appointment matters because Black entrepreneurs continue facing significant structural barriers including disparities in lending, limited access to government contracts, and uneven economic recovery from the pandemic. The addition of experienced leadership signals MBBA's commitment to expanding its statewide reach and strengthening the economic infrastructure that Black business owners depend on. With over 2,300 members relying on the Alliance for support that traditional financial institutions often fail to provide, Pierson's expertise in organizational strategy and community-driven leadership positions the organization to more effectively advocate for inclusive economic systems and create long-term economic stability for Michigan's Black-owned businesses.

What's next

Pierson will lead statewide operations for MBBA
He will work to deepen member engagement across Michigan
Pierson will guide the rollout of MBBA strategies designed to expand resource access across urban, suburban, and rural communities
MBBA is preparing for an expanded statewide footprint focused on Black economic mobility and demanding accountability from public and private institutions

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle