MBDA Summit: Advocacy

On July 6th and 7th, MBDA hosted a meeting of leaders in the minority business community, including program directors and advocates, to review and benchmark progress regarding the state of minority businesses.  The goal of the meeting was to establish a blueprint for minority business development programs that can be implemented by the public and private sectors in the future.

From the meeting, common themes emerged from the conversations.  MBDA is opening the discussion to include a variety of stakeholders in minority business success- we welcome your comments and suggestions.

The question that was asked is this:

What advocay activities and actions do you recommend can be encouraged or taken to promote the economic development and growth of MBEs?

The common themes include the following:

• All of the minority chambers and like-minded groups need to advocate in one single voice.

• The minority chambers and like-minded groups should think about forming a coalition for better unity and strength in numbers.

• Either or both organizations need to be legally allowed to lobby.

• MBDA should play an active role in a new combined chamber organization or coalition.

• The minority business community needs to be trained and educated in advocacy at the federal, state and local level.

• The minority business community needs to be aware of how and when federal, state and local laws are enacted so that they can effectively impact legislation that affects their daily lives.

• Minority business leaders need to connect and meet with lawmakers so they know and understand their issues.

• Minority businesses need strong and frequent economic data to make the business case and back up the advocacy efforts

• MBDA needs to publicize each of their success stories so lawmakers understand the positive impact in their community.

• The private sector needs to be an equal partner in advocacy. They need to tell other companies the benefits of working with minority business.

• MBDA needs the power to enforce the current minority business goals.

• MBDA funded centers need more resources dedicated to outreach and advocacy.

We would appreciate your comments and suggestions on the topic, to see participants specific comments per topic, please click here.

**This post contains the comments provided by participants at the Minority Business Development Agency Summit held on July 6 – 7, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.  Participants provided input on strategy, enforcement mechanisms, and legislation that may assist minority entrepreneurs in the future.  Note-takers memorialized the comments made at each of the tables.  These materials are being provided in raw data format and are for informational purposes only.  The views expressed herein are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect those of MBDA or of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

MBDA Summit: Emerging Entrepreneurial Opportunities

On July 6th and 7th, MBDA hosted a meeting of leaders in the minority business community, including program directors and advocates, to review and benchmark progress regarding the state of minority businesses.  The goal of the meeting was to establish a blueprint for minority business development programs that can be implemented by the public and private sectors in the future.

From the meeting, common themes emerged from the conversations.  MBDA is opening the discussion to include a variety of stakeholders in minority business success- we welcome your comments and suggestions.

The question that was asked is this:

Given the new market/emerging opportunities for MBEs in the national and global economy, what programs and strategies are needed for MBEs to enter and succeed in these emerging and new industries?

• Provide incentives for larger companies to partner with smaller companies.

• To strengthen competitive advantage, encourage MBE firms to partner with other firms that offer complementary technology.

• Develop a group of 10 business owners in each state capable of entering emerging markets and provide the training, access to capital and other resources needed.

• Federal government should identify new green technology to be used in the future for home and office construction where opportunities can be created for minorities

• Direct MBEs toward ARRA growth industries and encourage teaming.

• Identify top MBE leaders in emerging markets.  Use these leaders as mentors/resources to bring in new MBEs into these markets.

• Work with universities to deploy interns with skill sets that can enhance the growth of MBE firms in emerging technologies

• Identify national/state/local, private and public projects focused on helping MBEs.

• Focus on educating high school students on understanding and identifying on Green and emerging business opportunities

• Expand access to SBIR Program. Reserve a percentage of SBIR Grants for MBEs

• Work with local colleges and universities to create incubators/entrepreneurial centers for emerging technology companies.

We would appreciate your comments and suggestions on the topic, to see participants specific comments per topic, please click here.

**This post contains the comments provided by participants at the Minority Business Development Agency Summit held on July 6 – 7, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.  Participants provided input on strategy, enforcement mechanisms, and legislation that may assist minority entrepreneurs in the future.  Note-takers memorialized the comments made at each of the tables.  These materials are being provided in raw data format and are for informational purposes only.  The views expressed herein are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect those of MBDA or of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

MBDA Summit: MBE Programs

On July 6th and 7th, MBDA hosted a meeting of leaders in the minority business community, including program directors and advocates, to review and benchmark progress regarding the state of minority businesses.  The goal of the meeting was to establish a blueprint for minority business development programs that can be implemented by the public and private sectors in the future.

From the meeting, common themes emerged from the conversations.  MBDA is opening the discussion to include a variety of stakeholders in minority business success- we welcome your comments and suggestions.

The question that was asked is this:

Given the challenges MBEs have in growing their businesses and in competing in the global economy, what are your recommendations for future programs or strategies which should be implemented to support MBEs in the 21st century?

The common themes from the Summit include:

• Implementation of partnerships with colleges and universities to teach entrepreneurship programs.
• The Creation of a Reciprocal/Universal Certification Process.
• Cross collaboration with Minority Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations and other business development organizations.
• The need for a unified voice within the MBE Community to advocate on issues impacting their growth strategies.
• Ongoing Training and Development of MBE’s to Build Capacity. (ie. Tuck School of Business, Kellogg, Darden named)
• Recommendation for MBDA to revisit its Executive Order and require OSDBU’s to be accountable, transparent and responsible for procurement purchasing from MBE suppliers.
• SBA size standards need to be increased.
• Providing incentives for public and private sector entities that meet and/or exceed procurement goals.
• Sharing of Best Practices within the MBDA Network and recognition of public/private organizations that demonstrate and lead by example.
• Educate Congress/Policymakers in a unified voice on issues, challenges impacting MBE’s.
• Increased funding for MBDA to offer more programs targeted at building MBE capacity and spurring the U.S. economy.
• Better educate the financial/lending community about the MBDA Programs and Services and establish a referral pool.
• The creation of an Emerging Minority Business Loan Pool.
• More frequent studies on SBO Data — Every 2 years — will require increased funding.
• Making the business case for doing business with MBE’S and the value proposition.

We would appreciate your comments and suggestions on the topic, to see participants specific comments per topic, please click here.

**This post contains the comments provided by participants at the Minority Business Development Agency Summit held on July 6 – 7, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.  Participants provided input on strategy, enforcement mechanisms, and legislation that may assist minority entrepreneurs in the future.  Note-takers memorialized the comments made at each of the tables.  These materials are being provided in raw data format and are for informational purposes only.  The views expressed herein are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect those of MBDA or of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

MBDA Summit: Legal Landscape

On July 6th and 7th, MBDA hosted a meeting of leaders in the minority business community, including program directors and advocates, to review and benchmark progress regarding the state of minority businesses.  The goal of the meeting was to establish a blueprint for minority business development programs that can be implemented by the public and private sectors in the future.

From the meeting, common themes emerged from the conversations.  MBDA is opening the discussion to include a variety of stakeholders in minority business success- we welcome your comments and suggestions.

The question that was asked is this:

Given the current court challenges to programs targeted for minority-owned businesses, what actions can be put in place to support the growth and expansion of minority-owned businesses in the 21st century?

Below you will find the themes for the topic of “Legal Landscape:”

• Communicate the White House and Administration’s commitment to minority business growth and competitiveness.
• Develop criteria for minority business contracting goals on the federal, state and local levels, and establish and enforce these goals.
• Develop a streamlined and effective federal certification process for minority businesses (HUB Zone, 8(a), and SDB should not exist separately).
• Implement a national research study to discover current barriers to success for minority businesses.
• Develop a national disparity study which demonstrate barriers and gaps in access to government contracts.
• Build a record of evidence of discrimination and barriers into the congressional and legislative record.
• Establish formalized mentoring programs for entrepreneurship starting at the college level and lasting throughout the business lifecycle.
• Create educational programs that focus specifically on procurement within the government contracting arena.
• Consolidate the number of minority business advocacy organizations into one centralized organization which will then partner with MBDA.  Create an agenda for all minorities to speak with one voice.

We would appreciate your comments and suggestions on the topic, to see participants specific comments per topic, please click here.

**This post contains the comments provided by participants at the Minority Business Development Agency Summit held on July 6 – 7, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.  Participants provided input on strategy, enforcement mechanisms, and legislation that may assist minority entrepreneurs in the future.  Note-takers memorialized the comments made at each of the tables.  These materials are being provided in raw data format and are for informational purposes only.  The views expressed herein are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect those of MBDA or of the U.S. Department of Commerce.