February 25, 2013

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. 
Please Join Us For Our Open House Reception 
Thursday, February 28, 5:00pm - 7:30pm at our new location 333 State Street, Bridgeport, CT
                       
2013 GNEMSDC Annual Gala President's Award - Angel Taveras, Mayor of City Providence
taveras
This year we are very proud and honored to announce that City of Providence Mayor Angel Taveras is the recipient of the 2013 GNEMSDC President's Award.

Angel Taveras, the City's 37th Mayor, grew up on the South Side of Providence and went from Head Start to Harvard via the Providence Public Schools.  As a third grader at the Mary Fogarty Elementary School, Angel was encouraged by his teacher to set big goals. After graduating from Harvard, Angel attended Georgetown University Law Center to pursue his childhood dream: becoming a lawyer in order to help others.  As an attorney, Angel established himself a litigator and a widely-respected elections lawyer. In 2007, Angel was appointed to serve as an Associate Judge on the Providence Housing Court, where he helped to streamline the interaction between inspectors and the Housing Court and improve the code enforcement tracking system.  Read more...
2013 GNEMSDC Annual Gala  
Our Annual Award Gala is on April 25, 2013 at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center, MA
gala
  Registration is now available online only.  Please follow these instructions to register online.
Attend a US Small Business Administration & Boston MBDA Business Center Training Session  

February 28, 10:00am - 11:15am at SBA, 10 Causeway Street, Room 265, Boston, MA.                   
8(a) Workshop 
The 8(a) Program is intended for business development purposes to help socially and economically disadvantaged business owners grow their businesses, gain a preference for federal contracts, and access sole source contracts
                    
Join us and learn:  * Certification requirements  * Program benefits  * Application procedures
                          
RSVP to  Sarah James at 617-578-8900 or sjames@gnemsdc.org by February 22nd.
MBE Capital Summit
   
March 15th, 2013  1:00pm - 5:00pm
Location:  Eastern Bank  195 Market St  Lynn, MA 
summit
The GNEMSDC 3rd Annual MBE Capital Summit is hosted by Eastern Bank on March 15th starting at 1pm. This year our Keynote speaker will be John W. Rogers, Jr. Chairman, CEO & Chief Investment Officer at Ariel Investments, Chicago IL.    In addition to Mr. Rodgers we have Charles Grigsby,  President and CEO of Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC)  as a panelist.   MGCC is a state of Massachusetts supported alternative source of financing.  
                                            
 Please rsvp to Sarah James at sjames@gnemsdc.org or call 617-578-8900
The Connecticut U.S. SBA is holding Lender's Roundtable  
  sba
A Conversation with the Associate Administrator for Capital Access - Jeanne Hulit
 March 12th, 2013 at CEDF - 965 East Main Street, Meriden, CT,.  8:30am 11:00am 
  
RSVP -  Jessica.rivera@sba.gov
GNEMSDC Partners with Integrated Wellness Group to offer Relationship Management Seminar Series for MBEs
MAIn our on-going effort to improve relationships between MBEs and corporate members we are offering a free three session series by Dr. Maysa Akbar of  the Integrated Wellness Group.   Dr. Maysa Akbar is the Founder and Executive Director of Integrated Wellness Group, an MBE practice located in the heart of New Haven, CT.  In addition to her work as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Akbar provides motivational coaching, leadership development, and training on organizational growth and strategy to both small and large businesses around the nation. 
   
Seminar Schedule - All Sessions are from 12 Noon to 3 PM -Lunch will be provided.
FREE to all certified GNEMSDC MBEs. 
               
Space is limited.  Please e-mail Sarah James if interested in attendingsjames@gnemsdc.org
Bridgeport: March 1, March 8, and March 15 & Boston: March 21, March 28, and April 4.
Upcoming Events
 
2013 GNEMSDC Expo Date and Location Set
September 24-25 at Connecticut Convention Center,  Hartford, CT
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:
  • February 28 - SBA & Boston MBDA Business Center 8(a) Workshop
  • February 28 - MBE Orientation 9:00 at the Bridgeport Office.  To rsvp email jlittle-greer@gnemsdc.org by 2/27/13
  • February 28 - GNEMSDC Open House all day, Reception from 5pm  - 7:30pm
  • March 1, 8 & 15- Integrated Wellness Relationship Management Series Begins in Bridgeport at GNEMSDC Offices - 333 State Street
  • March 11-14 - National RES Expo (Las Vegas)
  • March 15th -MBE Capital Summit, Eastern Bank 195 Market St. Lynn, MA 1pm - 5:00 pm 
  • March 19 - Business Finance and Accounting Basics- 3/19 at the Central Library in Copley Square, 6-8pm, co-sponsored by the Kirstein Business Library
  • March 21, 28 & April 4 - Integrated Wellness Relationship Management Series Begins in Boston at GNEMSDC office at Copley
  • March 21 - Getting Started in Business- 3/21 in Quincy (location; TBD) 6-8 pm, co-sponsored by the Quincy Chamber of Commerce 
  • April 11 - MBDA Business Center Boston- CEO Round-table
  • April 25 - Annual Awards Gala - Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, MA
  • May 22 - NMSDC Dinner Dance - Hilton New York and Towers, New York City, NY
  • June 10 - MA Golf Outing- Ferncroft Golf Club, Middleton MA
  • June 27 - Virtual MED Day
  • July12 - CT Golf Outing- Lyman Orchards Golf Club, Middlefield CT
  • September 24-25 - GNEMSDC Trade Expo, Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT
FYI
SBA E200 program  
  SBAQualification:  
1) Company based in metro Boston area 2) Three year experience  3) Have more than one employee  4) Revenue at least $400,000.

If you are interested to participate the program please email akim@gnemsdc.org  617-578-8900 or call David Polatin at SBA  617-565-5562.  For more information please see this flyer.
Apply to the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program
GSGain the mindset, skills and resources to take your business to the next level.  To apply to the program either visit their website at www.LaGuardia.edu or call them directly at (718) 730-7400   
The program is operated at LaGuardia Community College.  
The MBEIC Education Sub-committee is looking for new members for 2013
MBEISCThis committee works together to develop and coordinate events that provide useful information to the Council's MBE community.  If you have an interest in developing and coordinating learning opportunities for business people, and the chance to network more closely with MBEs and Corporate members of the council, please join us.  We usually meet once a month via conference call. If interested, please send an email to Jill Davis Kone at The MATLET Group - jdavis@thematletgroup.com  
MBE Scholarship Applications Now Open
GNEMSDCOne of the best benefits of being a certified MBE with the GNEMSDC is our full scholarship program.  If you meet the following conditions, and you must meet them all, you are eligible for a full scholarship to the Tuck or Kellogg MBE training programs:

1)  You must be a GNEMSDC certified MBE;
2)  You must have maintained your certification for each of the last three years;
3)  You must be an owner of the company; and
4)  You must commit to attending the training for the entire period of the program.

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship complete the MBE Scholarship Application and return it to Jerilynn Clarke at jclarke@gnemsdc.org.  What a deal; pay $600 in certification fees over three years and get a $5,000 scholarship that will help you improve your business. 

We will announce the recipients of the 2013 GNEMSDC scholarships at the GNEMSDC Awards Gala on April 25.  All applications need to be competed by March 25. 
Opportunities
  • Seminars of Interest at Middlesex Community College 
  • The Supplier Diversity Team at National Grid, and LIPA thank you again for attending the 2nd Annual Power of Connections event.  To apply to the program either visit their website at www.LaGuardia.edu\10ksb or call them directly at 718.730.7400
  • In preparation for upcoming repairs on MTA's New Haven lines train tracks, MTA is   seeking minority businesses.  DBE certification (Federal) and Empire State Development Corp (ESD NY State) certification is necessary.  Non-certified to me and I will receive assistance through the process, including potentially expedited applications if qualified.  If interested, contact:Lora Trimingham. 
  • CVS Caremark Construction Business Building EventWednesday, April 10, 2013 (9:30 AM - 5:00 PM)Crowne Plaza Philadelphia/Cherry Hill, Cherry Hill, NJ
          2013 MBE and Corporate Member Sponsorship Packages
GNEMSDCOn behalf of the GNEMSDC Board of Directors we are appealing to GNEMSDC corporate members and MBEs to consider becoming 2013 Annual Sponsors.  

Annual sponsorship provides companies with a cost effective way to participate in the major events of 2013.  Annual sponsorships also are the most important source of financial support for the GNEMSDC and allows us to better plan all of our events.  

Please review the packages below.  You can charge your sponsorship to all major credit cards.  Also we have a package for MBEs that will allow you to pay semi-annually or quarterly.  

Thank you for your consideration and support.  Call (203) 288-9744 for more information or to make your pledge.  
We Need Your Support.  We Value Your Support.

And Finally...
Fred in ohio
When you review great social movements like the American, French and Russian revolutions, the abolitionist movement, the anti-colonial movement, the women's rights movement, the civil rights movement, the labor movement and other mass efforts to change society, there are always fundamental principles that inspire the leaders and the supporters of change.  Often, if not always, equality and equal treatment are the drivers.  When it comes to minority business development, there is a similar motivation - equality of opportunity in the business world for all businesses regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender.   Business leaders do not often think about their social role, but make no mistake, it is because of individual efforts on the part of buyers and supplier diversity managers within corporate America that change is taking place and impacting our society in ways that will last for generations.  We often are not cognizant of the magnitude of changes that have occurred over even the last 50 years.  This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the March on Washington. That event and a number of painful events that required the sacrifices of good people of all races led to the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts that made possible the election of a Barack Obama.  Nothing happens without historical reference points.  We in the supplier diversity community are part of this historical process that sometimes proceeds in fits and starts, but moves forward towards greater equality.  The guiding principles of supplier diversity are not new, nor unique, they are embedded deep within each of us who know what is right.

In your service,

Dr. Fred    
Dr Fred QR