Philadelphia, PA — On Sunday, October 11, 2026, the Brazilian Business Alliance (BBA) held its official opening ceremony. The organization brings together Brazilian business owners from Philadelphia and New Jersey to build and strengthen partnerships, provide training opportunities, and promote local businesses and their offerings.

Lana Palafox, president of the BBA, described the city’s Brazilian-origin community as “very close-knit” and added that the chamber of commerce was established “with the mission of joining forces, raising our voices, and supporting one another to represent Brazilians in this area of Pennsylvania.”

The new Brazilian business organization was officially founded on June 6, but its opening ceremony took place on October 11, with business owners, local officials, and representatives of the Portuguese-speaking community in attendance.

Among the guests was John Rogers, special assistant to the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office, who said that the presence of institutions demonstrates their support for “the diversity that the Hispanic community brings and is a sign that we are here to support them.”

The BBA president said the initiative brings together 200 business owners from various commercial sectors, including construction, restaurants, food retail, and health and beauty services. She said there are “around 5,000 Brazilians in the region” and emphasized that it is a “very close-knit community.” She believes the chamber of commerce will make it possible for members “not only to grow individually, but to grow together.”

The Brazilian Business Alliance began taking shape six years ago with the support of former City Councilmember David Oh and Fernando Suárez, a well-known leader who has promoted entrepreneurship and business partnerships in Philadelphia’s Hispanic community for more than 20 years. Oh currently represents the city’s Asian chamber of commerce. During the event, Oh said, “This organization will bring new perspectives to local officials so that new paths can be opened and businesses can be created that have an impact on the region and the world.”

Benefits for members include training activities, networking opportunities to establish partnerships, promotion of products and services, business visits, access to public and private resources, support in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and representation at the local and regional levels.

The Brazilian chamber of commerce joins other organizations that bring together entrepreneurs and businesses from Latino communities across the region. Alongside the Colombian, Mexican, Dominican, and Puerto Rican communities, the Brazilian community contributes to strengthening the business and employment landscape of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.