The mission of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council is to significantly increase business relationships between our corporate members and our certified MBEs. We believe that minority business development is a key component of reducing poverty, unemployment, increasing wealth, and integrating American society. You are receiving this email in order to keep you abreast of developments with the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Supplier Diversity Issues and Minority Business Development. If you like what you read please share internally and externally. |
How to Conduct Business with NU Prime Contractors - This Friday |
Please click above link for - Agenda, Confirmed Prime Contractors, and Confirmed Northeast Utilities Buyers & Managers. Friday, March 16, 2012, Cafeteria East Dining Room, Berlin.
Northeast Utilities has dozens of contract opportunities right now for a variety of products and services. This program is an excellent opportunity for MBEs to not only learn about the NU procurement process and meet senior NU executives, this is a great opportunity to find and win your next contract. We want to thank Cheryl Clarke, Beth Maldonado and the entire NU team for their support. It is not too late to register by emailing jclarke@gnemsdc.org. |
2nd Annual Capital and Minority Business Capacity Building Summit - March 27, 2012 |
 MBEs and Corporations and Financial Institutions are invited to attend the 2nd Annual MBE Capital Summit hosted by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, on Tuesday, March 27 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM (401 Park Drive, Boston, MA). This year our keynote speaker is the Massachusetts Commonwealth Treasurer Steve Grossman.
We are getting great responses from MBEs and corporate members from around the country for the 2nd Annual Capital and Minority Business Capacity Building Summit. We are also happy to announce that because of the generous support of our sponsors, the event is FREE! If you are interested in attending this high powered meeting of leaders from business, finance politics, policy and the media, call the office to reserve your seat. Because of space constraints we are limiting attendance to two persons per company. Last year we had 250 attendees at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. This year we have room for 150 attendees. Summit Agenda and Program Overview. To register and reserve your seats for this event please email: sjames@gnemsdc.org
Event Sponsors are: State Street Financial, Liberty Mutual, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Bank of America, The Boston Foundation and Partners Healthcare
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| Capital Summit Public Service Announcement |
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Annual Award Gala - April 26, 2012 |
 GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala on April 26 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT.
This event will start at 4:00 pm with our Annual Meeting, followed by a cocktail reception starting at 5:00 pm. Dinner & the award presentations will begin at 6:30 pm. {Please click below link for Sponsorship, Hotel information, and Directions}
This year we are very proud and honored to announce that Mr. Jack Bryant is the recipient of the President's Award. Mr. Bryant is the President of Bryant Engineering Associates, a GNEMSDC certified MBE, from Boston, MA. Mr. Bryant is also a Tuskegee Airman, like the famous World War II unit featured in the block buster film Red Tails produced by George Lucas (Star Wars) this year. George Lucas will is part of our program this year, making this year's program one of the most memorable in recent years. We honor Mr. Bryant for his years of service to our country and for his business and entrepreneurial leadership. I hope you can join us and help us honor this special American and special MBE.
Registration Information for Non-Annual Sponsors In order to register for the GNEMSDC Awards Gala you will need to register with the GNEMSDC site {Please click below link for instruction "how to register online}.
Annual Sponsors- please do not register online, email all information to gnemsdc@gnemsdc.org
If you have questions about the portal's features or are having problems, please give Tatiana a call, (203) 288-9744. *** Volunteer opportunity Closed!*** |
2012 New England Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Day Conference & Expo |
Save the Date for the 2012 New England Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Day Conference & Expo! June 7, 2012 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center MED Day is the premier event for minority enterprises and the public and private sectors. MED Day will offer the opportunity for MBEs to access information, tools and resources to grow their businesses both domestically and internationally. MBEs across a variety of industries will gather to connect with public and private sector buyers, explore avenues for business expansion, and develop thriving partnerships with firms across multiple industry sectors. Large corporations can expect to meet Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) and MBEs to achieve their federal government goals.
This conference will also introduce the new U.S. Department of Commerce's Boston Minority Business Development Center, a powerful tool for MBEs who want to grow. Attendees can expect networking, business-to-business matchmaking sessions with corporate procurement officials and capital providers and workshops |
MBE News - Westnet Subsidary Gets Certified in DC |
 Westnet Mid-Atlantic a wholly owned subsidiary of Westnet recently was awarded certification by the District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). Washington DC has one of the most aggressive MBE set aside programs in the country. Companies certified under the program must have physical offices and employees in Washington and must be minority owned and managed. These certified firms are eligible to receive set aside contracts from the District as well as from large organizations relying on District funds. These preferences range from 35 to 50 percent of District contracts! The program does allow for joint ventures between firms certified under the program and those not certified. If I were not certified in DC and have had the opportunity to do business there, it certainly would cross my mind to give Gordon Thompson of Westnet a call, perhaps there are some deals to be made in our nation's capital. |
Events That MBEs Should Not Miss |
There are several events coming up on our calendar that are designed specifically for MBEs to learn about corporate opportunities. We know how busy everyone's schedule is, but these are events often hosted by our corporate members with the expressed purpose of finding out more about you and your business with the ultimate aim, to make you a valuable supplier to their companies. Here are some events you should consider: |
NMSDC/GNEMSDC Information |
Please take a close look at the information listed below. The links will take you to detailed information. |
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Opportunities with Corporate Members |
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Disney Opportunity |
The Walt Disney Company will host its 4th Supplier Diversity Showcase in conjunction with the NAB Expo this year in Las Vegas. We are partnering with the NAB Education Foundation to make this event happen. This showcase provides a unique opportunity for women and minority owned businesses to highlight their capabilities to Disney, ABC, and ESPN decision makers. The showcase will be held at the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino (formally The Las Vegas Hilton) on Monday, April 16, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., immediately following the trade show floor closing. The deadline is March 16 to register for this event.
Suppliers in the categories below should complete the profile for consideration using this link:
Disney Supplier Diversity Supplier Profile
- Production & Post Production: Technology product and services related to the production and post production workflows.
- OEM / Reseller & Systems Integration: Original equipment manufacturer or reseller as well as broadcast and / or IT systems integration.
- IT Applications / Infrastructure: storage, data management, data integration, data warehousing, business intelligence and customer relationship management (CRM), etc. (not Staffing)
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More Money for Small Businesses |
 The Small Business Administration just announced an exciting new program, Startup America Partnership. The program is designed to provide investment funds totally over $1.5 billion. The partnership between SBA and private investment companies will target specific high growth industries and underserved communities. The private nonprofit Startup America Partnership has Steve Case, formerly of AOL as the chairman and Scott Case (no relation) as president. Several years ago we had Scott Case as the speaker at our Expo at Foxwoods. At that time Scott Case had just left the very successful Priceline.com. Earvin "Magic" Johnson is also a director at Startup America. There is a three day conference at Brandeis University on Friday, March 16 starting at 2:00 PM for entrepreneurs who want to learn about how to start up a high tech company. For more information |
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And Finally... |
 How much of your time is spent doing the things you want to do versus doing the things you have to do? I imagine all of the readers of this column struggle with these work life balance issues as much as anyone. But it seems the pace of business and technology have forced us into ever greater conflicts between these two. It is rare and I am envious of anyone whose work and life glide together in a mutually supportive way that bring fulfillment and value. But I consider myself extremely fortunate to work for a mission I believe to my core has very few downsides. Minority business development when done well, plays an important role in the development of our nation. Some would argue that the myth of America is that it is a place where anyone can make it regardless of their humble beginnings. Others would say that this is the dream of minority entrepreneurs who may not have been born here, who may not have attended the "best" schools, who may not be members of the exclusive country club, who may not socialize with the rich, the famous or the powerful. And yet, some minority entrepreneurs are able to break through all of the barriers because they are tenacious, clever, bold, and unafraid of risk. We have countless examples of these types of successes. But these successes do not happen in a vacuum, they require at least the tacit support of our corporate partners, who are constantly under pressure from senior management and stockholders to generate ever greater profits and returns - just show me the money. Minority business development and corporate profitability do not have to conflict with one another. But minority business development and being locked out of corporate opportunities are diametrically opposed. Sustainable minority business development requires that minority spend increase as profits increase. As our economy starts to show signs of sustained growth, corporations are taking heed and looking to come out of the bunker and into the sunlight. I see it in many of our corporate members' attitudes towards our MBEs. For several long years, the opportunities were scarce. MBEs have much to offer in the form of new ideas, new technologies, improving quality and productivity, accessing new markets more effectively, expanding a corporation's scope, and yes lowering cost. And the MBEs that have survived like those corporations who have survived are stronger, or as they say in the hood, whatever does not kill you makes you stronger. It is a pleasure to once again to be doing what needs to be done while doing what I love doing. Let's do some business together. In your service, Dr. Fred |
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