Business

World of Opportunity For Local Businesses At World Games 2021

THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES — The program is a supplier diversity initiative which aims to connect certified, diverse Birmingham businesses to compete for opportunities with the World Games.

Published

5 years ago

June 21, 2019

Oakland Post

By Erica Wright

Marie Lusain-Daniels, owner of Canvas Event Center and Petal Pushers Florals and Rentals, LLC, was among more than 400 local businesses at the Birmingham CrossPlex Wednesday for the kickoff of the World of Opportunity program for the World Games 2021 Birmingham.

The program is a supplier diversity initiative which aims to connect certified, diverse Birmingham businesses to compete for opportunities with the World Games.

“I got exposure for both of the businesses,” Daniels said. “I’ve never been to a forum like this before so just letting people know that our venue is available for events for the Games itself and that we also provide services such as floral and decorating.

“The main thing is I got great contact information and also being able to connect with other business owners who are here for the same reason and purpose and building those connections and relationships.”

The World of Opportunity program was developed by The World Games 2021 Supplier Diversity Steering Committee, co-chaired by Marcus Lundy of Regions Bank and Glenda S. Thomas of Alabama Power and made up of officials from the city of Birmingham, local business leaders and community leaders.

The program offers local, small, minority-owned and women-owned organizations the chance to participate in city-wide business opportunities relating to the World Games 2021.

“This was the launch of our supplier diversity initiative for the World Games 2021 and it’s our program where we will matchmake needed goods and services with local, small business, minority and women-owned community to help them maximize opportunity around the games planning needs,” said DJ Mackovets, CEO of The World Games 2021. “One of the reasons cities want to host events like this are because of the economic impact, to make the opportunities available locally, not just spending money with folks from outside of the community.”

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said the World Games is a “turning point” for the city.

“As excited as we are about hosting the World Games here in our city in two years, we’re equally excited about the World of Opportunity, a program designed to be an incredible turning point for our entire city,” said Woodfin.

The mayor said the program is patterned after the NFL Super Bowl’s model for diversity and inclusion which puts local entrepreneurs in a position to win business where the game is held.

“My administration has made a commitment to the support and development of women and minority-owned businesses,” Woodfin said. “The World of Opportunity program keeps that promise in the forefront.”

Charles Lawson, owner of L&O Greek Specialties based in Birmingham, said he learned valuable lessons that can help them compete for business for the World Games.

“I wanted to see what kind of opportunities there could be for my company . . . such as embroidery, t-shirts or polos or any kind of clothing apparel for the World Games. I learned there are a lot of opportunities for minorities and if we just fill out the paperwork and apply for the programs those opportunities will arise and we’ll get some calls and get some business hopefully.”

The event also included a panel discussion, “Creating a Legacy with Diverse Suppliers” with Chincie Mouton, Vice President of Community Engagement and Projects, Atlanta Host Committee; Glenda Thomas; and Tene Dolphin, Deputy Director for Business Diversity and Opportunity with the City of Birmingham and was moderated by Darlene Wilson, Managing Principal, Relay Accounting Management.

Dolphin said it is important for business owners to register early in order to compete for these opportunities.

“This is going to be a competitive process and so it is incumbent upon business owners to learn what is going to be required, how can they differentiate themselves from another business or how can they begin to partner with other businesses and join ventures but all of those things you’ve got to start thinking about today,” said Dolphin. “If you start later it may be too late so I’m really hoping that today starts the beginning of the pivot that businesses need to make in order to follow up on these opportunities.”

Mouton stressed the importance of building relationships early on and utilizing the different resources that are available. “I’m sure there are local women business councils and minority councils and all of these different avenues will have workshops and programs that will help you learn to respond to requests for proposals, learn how to communicate with different contractors and use best practices for business development,” said Mouton. “You have to get a head start and make sure you’re attending those types of events.”

Thomas added business owners should know the impact they want to make and know how to “showcase your company and what you do and to highlight what you’re doing for the World Games and for people around the world to look at you.”

The program also provided business direct access to work in a variety of categories including transportation, event production, security, promotional items, merchandise, sports equipment, food service, technology, printing, medical supplies, event equipment, waste removal and construction services.

The World Games also unveiled its supplier database, an online registration system developed by industry-leader CVM Solutions. The database allows local, diverse businesses to register and receive direct access to future opportunities to provide goods and services.

This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times.

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State Controller Malia Cohen Keynote Speaker at S.F. Wealth Conference

California State Controller Malia Cohen delivered the keynote speech to over 50 business women at the Black Wealth Brunch held on March 28 at the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center at 301 Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco. The Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) hosted the Green Room event to launch its platform designed to close the racial wealth gap in Black and Brown communities.

Published

5 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

American Business Women’s Association Vice President Velma Landers, left, with California State Controller Malia Cohen (center), and ABWA President LaRonda Smith at the Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the ABWA at the Black Wealth Brunch.

By Carla Thomas

The Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) hosted the Green Room event to launch its platform designed to close the racial wealth gap in Black and Brown communities.

“Our goal is to educate Black and Brown families in the masses about financial wellness, wealth building, and how to protect and preserve wealth,” said ABWA San Francisco Chapter President LaRonda Smith.

ABWA’s mission is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition.

“This day is about recognizing influential women, hearing from an accomplished woman as our keynote speaker and allowing women to come together as powerful people,” said ABWA SF Chapter Vice President Velma Landers.

More than 60 attendees dined on the culinary delights of Chef Sharon Lee of The Spot catering, which included a full soul food brunch of skewered shrimp, chicken, blackened salmon, and mac and cheese.

Cohen discussed the many economic disparities women and people of color face. From pay equity to financial literacy, Cohen shared not only statistics, but was excited about a new solution in motion which entailed partnering with Californians for Financial Education.

“I want everyone to reach their full potential,” she said. “Just a few weeks ago in Sacramento, I partnered with an organization, Californians for Financial Education.

“We gathered 990 signatures and submitted it to the [California] Secretary of State to get an initiative on the ballot that guarantees personal finance courses for every public school kid in the state of California.

“Every California student deserves an equal opportunity to learn about filing taxes, interest rates, budgets, and understanding the impact of credit scores. The way we begin to do that is to teach it,” Cohen said.

By equipping students with information, Cohen hopes to close the financial wealth gap, and give everyone an opportunity to reach their full financial potential. “They have to first be equipped with the information and education is the key. Then all we need are opportunities to step into spaces and places of power.”

Cohen went on to share that in her own upbringing, she was not guided on financial principles that could jump start her finances. “Communities of color don’t have the same information and I don’t know about you, but I did not grow up listening to my parents discussing their assets, their investments, and diversifying their portfolio. This is the kind of nomenclature and language we are trying to introduce to our future generations so we can pivot from a life of poverty so we can pivot away and never return to poverty.”

Cohen urged audience members to pass the initiative on the November 2024 ballot.

“When we come together as women, uplift women, and support women, we all win. By networking and learning together, we can continue to build generational wealth,” said Landers. “Passing a powerful initiative will ensure the next generation of California students will be empowered to make more informed financial decisions, decisions that will last them a lifetime.”

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Black Business Summit Focuses on Equity, Access and Data

The California African American Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual “State of the California African American Economy Summit,” with the aim of bolstering Black economic influence through education and fellowship. Held Jan. 24 to Jan. 25 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, the convention brought together some of the most influential Black business leaders, policy makers and economic thinkers in the state. The discussions focused on a wide range of economic topics pertinent to California’s African American business community, including policy, government contracts, and equity, and more.

Published

5 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CALSTA), answers questions from concerned entrepreneurs frustrated with a lack of follow-up from the state. January 24, 2024 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, Lost Angeles, Calif. Photo by Solomon O. Smith

By Solomon O. Smith, California Black Media

The California African American Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual “State of the California African American Economy Summit,” with the aim of bolstering Black economic influence through education and fellowship.

Held Jan. 24 to Jan. 25 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, the convention brought together some of the most influential Black business leaders, policy makers and economic thinkers in the state. The discussions focused on a wide range of economic topics pertinent to California’s African American business community, including policy, government contracts, and equity, and more.

Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CALSTA) was a guest at the event. He told attendees about his department’s efforts to increase access for Black business owners.

“One thing I’m taking away from this for sure is we’re going to have to do a better job of connecting through your chambers of all these opportunities of billions of dollars that are coming down the pike. I’m honestly disappointed that people don’t know, so we’ll do better,” said Omishakin.

Lueathel Seawood, the president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of San Joaquin County, expressed frustration with obtaining federal contracts for small businesses, and completing the process. She observed that once a small business was certified as DBE, a Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, there was little help getting to the next step.

Omishakin admitted there is more work to be done to help them complete the process and include them in upcoming projects. However, the high-speed rail system expansion by the California High-Speed Rail Authority has set a goal of 30% participation from small businesses — only 10 percent is set aside for DBE.

The importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in economics was reinforced during the “State of the California Economy” talk led by author and economist Julianne Malveaux, and Anthony Asadullah Samad, Executive Director of the Mervyn Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute (MDAAPEI) at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Assaults on DEI disproportionately affect women of color and Black women, according to Malveaux. When asked what role the loss of DEI might serve in economics, she suggested a more sinister purpose.

“The genesis of all this is anti-blackness. So, your question about how this fits into the economy is economic exclusion, that essentially has been promoted as public policy,” said Malveaux.

The most anticipated speaker at the event was Janice Bryant Howroyd known affectionately to her peers as “JBH.” She is one of the first Black women to run and own a multi-billion-dollar company. Her company ActOne Group, is one of the largest, and most recognized, hiring, staffing and human resources firms in the world. She is the author of “Acting Up” and has a profile on Forbes.

Chairman of the board of directors of the California African American Chamber of Commerce, Timothy Alan Simon, a lawyer and the first Black Appointments Secretary in the Office of the Governor of California, moderated. They discussed the state of Black entrepreneurship in the country and Howroyd gave advice to other business owners.

“We look to inspire and educate,” said Howroyd. “Inspiration is great but when I’ve got people’s attention, I want to teach them something.”