Dear Members,

Coming out of the winter months, we set ambitious goals for 2026. We’ve welcomed three new Directors to our Board and mapped out an energetic year focused on visibility, engagement, and community connection. The momentum has been building ever since.

As this newsletter goes to print, we have officially launched Best of El Cerrito 2026. Please read more on the following page for full details.

This program would not be possible without the generous support of our early sponsors:

• Premier Sponsor: Honda of El Cerrito 
• Partners: El Cerrito Natural Grocery, City of El Cerrito, Negar Souza & Feri Niroomand of Red Oak Realty, Rachel Melby & Rachel Sheftel of Little Hill Real Estate, Prospect Sierra, and El Cerrito Royale 
• Associates: East Bay Sanitary, Well Grounded Tea & Coffee Bar, and Kyle Ashcraft of Edward Jones 
• Supporters: Hassler Heating & Air Conditioning

We’re also excited for an upcoming event on Father’s Day weekend: a Classic Car Show on Saturday, June 20th, along Kearney Street behind El Cerrito City Hall, bringing the community together, highlighting our local businesses, and showcasing some amazing vehicles from local car clubs.

One important focus this year is strengthening our online presence as a true community hub. Our website is not only where you’ll find Chamber events, but also where Members can promote their own events through our Community Calendar. . If you’d like to post an event, log in to your membership account at www.elcerritochamber.org to get started.

There are plenty of upcoming events (see the list on page 7 and register on our website), but I want to call your attention to one I’m especially looking forward to: the Golf Tournament, scheduled for August. Summer may feel far away, but we need volunteers now to tee off the event and make it a winner.

We also want to spotlight the incredible expertise within our membership. If you are interested in speaking at a future Chamber event or volunteering, please contact us at info@elcerritochamber.org.

This year, we have an ambitious lineup — and it depends on Members stepping forward. The first step? Join our Ambassadors Program. Meet our Ambassadors and fellow Members at 9:00 am on the first Wednesday of each month at FatApple’s Restaurant & Bakery, 7525 Fairmount Ave. This informal setting provides members with an opportunity to get to know one another and connect with the Chamber.

Join us!

Thank you for being part of a Chamber that continues to grow, collaborate, and show up for El Cerrito.

Warmly,

Kevin O'Neal

President, El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce