ABOUT JAY KING

Jay King has lived many creative lives — Grammy-winning musician, producer, entrepreneur, radio host, and now one of California’s most influential champions for Black business. As President and CEO of the California Black Chamber of Commerce, he leads the state’s largest African American business organization, advocating for thousands of small, micro, and mini-micro enterprises across California.

Under his leadership, the Chamber has become a force for economic empowerment — pushing for stronger contracting opportunities, equitable procurement policies, and legislative reforms that open doors for Black entrepreneurs. King serves on key state advisory councils, including Caltrans, the Department of General Services, and California High-Speed Rail, ensuring that Black businesses have a voice in statewide economic development.

Through the Chamber, King also oversees KDEE 97.5 FM, one of only three Black-owned radio stations in California. As both CEO and on-air host, he uses the platform to inform, connect, and uplift — interviewing local leaders, spotlighting small businesses, and addressing issues that directly impact Sacramento’s African American community. For King, KDEE is more than a radio station; it’s a community institution, a living microphone for the voices too often left out of the civic conversation.

Before becoming an advocate, King made his mark as the founder of the R&B group Club Nouveau, whose Grammy-winning hit “Lean On Me” became an anthem of resilience and unity. That same spirit now drives his mission to build lasting economic power for California’s Black community — one business, one opportunity, one generation at a time.

ON LEADERSHIP AND INFLUENCE

What does “Black Power and Influence” mean to you?
It means I have a responsibility to represent our community in the best light possible and to think community-first when I’m doing my work. It also means it’s my responsibility to be honest and forthright about who we are and what we must do to make our community better and stronger as a collective.

Leadership Lesson:
Not everybody is going to see what you see or think what you think is important. Building relationships with leaders from other communities helps you grow — wisdom-wise, position-wise, and power-wise. It’s always good to have friends in key positions.

Who inspires you most and why?
My mother, Helen. I work every day to be as good a human being as she was — grounded, kind, and deeply committed to others.

What are the biggest opportunities you see for Sacramento’s Black community in the years ahead?
I believe we have the ability to build a very strong business foundation using all the resources that exist right now. The California Black Chamber of Commerce’s “Build, Scale, Grow” program is going to change the structure of the micro and mini-micro business owner — and Sacramento’s small business community will be the proving ground.

ON EVERYDAY LIFE

Song/Artist On Repeat: Pete Belasco – “Stop the Presses.”

Recharge Ritual: Reading and mellow music.

Weekend in Sacramento: A morning walk, lunch at Tori’s Place, and a night of laughter at the comedy club.

Hidden Passion: Dominoes — I’m the “Domino Daddy.”

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our “Onyx 25” sponsors for their generous support: