| GNEMSDC 4th Annual Capital Summit - March 12 |
You are invited to attend one of our very exciting signature events: The 4th Annual MBE Capital Summit. This year's event will be hosted by Bank of America at 100 Federal Street in Boston, MA on March 12th from 8:30am - 12:00pm.
There are still a small number of seats available. To reserve your spot, register online by March 10th at 11:30am. To register for this free event, visit: http://www.boothleads.com/gnemsdc/cs2014
The event will start with opening remarks from Bob Gallery, Massachusetts President of Bank of America and Dr. Fred McKinney. There will be two panel discussions, beginning with "Access to Capital; Choosing the Right Funding for your Business" moderated by Craig Fowler, Managing Director, Bank of America. This panel will include the following panelists: Daphne Dufresne, founding partner and a Managing Director of RLJ Equity Partners; Carolos Signoret, Partner and co-founder of HCP & Company; Ed Shea,SVP, Business Banking Market Executive - Market President Central Massachusetts at Bank of America; Vikrant Raina, Managing Partner of BV Investment Partners; and Natasha Fox, Partner at Avante Mezzanine Partners.
The second panel will be on "Growth Strategies through Acquisition" moderated by Warren Bacon, Director of the Boston MBDA Center. The second panel will include the following panelists; Amar Kapur, President & CEO of Aimtek, Inc.; Dev Chanchani, CEO and Founder of INetU; Ed Shirely, Partner at Fairview Capital Partners; and Kevin McDonald, Principal at McDonald-Lehner. Next, we are extremely proud to have Professor Steven Rogers from Harvard Business School as our keynote speaker discussing "The Right Money for the Right Need." Steven Rogers is a Senior Lecturer in General Management and teaches Entrepreneurial Finance in the executive programs, "Launching New Ventures" and "Owners, Presidents and Managers (OPM)". He was also a professor for the GNEMSDC GALP program in 2013 and will be participating in 2014 as well.
(If you reserve a seat and do not show up, we will charge you $250.00.) Please email Sarah James with any questions about the event at sjames@gnemsdc.org
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Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council Opens Community Business School in Bridgeport
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The Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council opens the GNEMSDC Community Business School at its 333 State Street offices in Bridgeport. The school is designed to develop minority entrepreneurs in the area by providing them access to the tools they need to thrive. We had a great first meeting. Bill Jennings, President and CEO of Bridgeport Hospital was in attendance and stayed the entire program. Also Virgilio Lopez a senior executive at Peoples Bank was also in attendance along with Jay Wesley of the MDC (Jay is also a GNEMSDC director). We had a full house, with every seat taken. I expect business leaders from our network to drop-in every week. We will be back this coming Saturday and every Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30 am.
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| 2014 Annual Gala MC - Jonathan Coachman |
 We are very pleased to announce Jonathan Coachman is a Sports TV Personality for ESPN and ESPN Radio will be joining us at the Gala this year as our MC. Jonathan Coachman began his career in 19997 in Wichita, KS at KAKE-TV. He continued on to Kansas City in 1999 where he worked in the same sports department with NFL legend and Super Bowl MVP Len Dawson. In the fall of 1999 his career took an abrupt turn as Coachman took a hob as a TV personality in WWE.
He spent the next 9 years traveling the world working for Vince McMahon. In 2006 he began also doing sports again at CSTV and MSG network in New York City. In 2008 Jonathan left the road and the WWE for the friendly confines of Bristol, CT and ESPN. In His almost 4 years with the company Jonathan has done just about every sport but he has found a niche as a main host on the flagship show SportsCenter. You may have heard Coachman as you are driving around in your car on ESPN Radio.
In 2011 Jonathan joined forces with Freddie Coleman for "The Coach and Coleman Show" on ESPN Radio. Jonathan is married to Amy and has 2 beautiful kids, Kayana (3) and JJ (1).
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| David Hinson to Receive 2014 GNEMSDC President's Award |
 We are extremely happy to announce that David Hinson as accepted the 2014 GNEMSDC Presidents Award. Mr. Hinson's last day as National Director for the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency was last week. During his tenure he oversaw a significant increase in the amount of contracts won by minority business clients of the 44 MBDA Centers across the county. We at the GNEMSDC are particularly fortunate to be a beneficiary of his leadership. In 2011, the GNEMSDC won a five-year contract to operate the Boston MBDA Business Center. And in 2013, the GNEMSDC won a four-year contract to operate the Bridgeport MBDA Business Center. Director Hinson is one of the global leaders in minority business development. He has traveled the world to promote business relationships between domestic minority businesses and minority businesses in Brazil, Africa, Australia and Europe. We are honored to have Director Hinson as the GNEMSDC 2014 President's Award recipient.The Award will be presented at the Black-Tie 2014 GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala at the Aqua Turf in Southington, CT on Tuesday, May 6. It is not too early to reserve your tickets. Call Jerilynn Clarke at203-288-9744 for ticket information. |
| Photo Memories from the GNEMSDC Gala 2010-2013 | ||
The 2014 GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala is Tuesday, May 6 at the Aqua Turf in Southington, CT.
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Upcoming Events
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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:
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Corporation of the Week: AHOLD USA
(Stop & Shop Supermarket Co, LLC)
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 Ahold is an international retailing group based in the Netherlands, with strong local consumer brands in Europe and the United States. Our foundation is selling great food - and supermarkets are our core business. We also operate other formats and channels so that our customers can shop whenever and wherever is most convenient for them. We provide our customers with the best possible value, assortment and shopping experience.Ahold USA is organized into four regional divisions - Giant Carlisle, Giant Landover, Stop & Shop New England, and Stop & Shop New York Metro - which together operate around 770 supermarkets with approximately 120,000 employees in 13 states and the District of Columbia, along with Peapod, the nation's leading online grocery shopping / delivery service. Ahold USA Retail is committed to developing mutually beneficial and successful partnerships with diverse suppliers nationally and small businesses headquartered in our geographic footprint. We develop these relationships by incorporating these businesses into the everyday process of category reviews and product or service bids. Our supplier diversity initiative aims to enhance the procurement process by developing strong business relationships with a talented group of small and diverse businesses that offer quality products and services, excellent customer service and competitive costs. Internally, we address diverse and small business sourcing mainly through education of our associates, identification of opportunities and tapping into the knowledge of Ahold USA Retail's senior management team.Externally, we have several initiatives aimed at building awareness and promoting opportunities for diverse and small businesses, including involvement in trade shows, business opportunity fairs, conferences and conventions to meet businesses regarding the product presentation and the bidding. Access the Ahold Supplier Registration site here. Learn more about the Ahold Supplier Diversity Initiative process here. |
| MBE of the Week: Bivens Realty Group, LLC |
 
Bivins Realty Group LLC is a full service residential and commericiall real estate brokerage firm that was established in 2007 by Teasha Bivins. Bivins Realty Group is a Connecticut based firm serving buyers and sellers in Westport, Stamford, Norwalk, Fairfield, Greenwich and the surrounding areas.
Bivins Group offers services in:
* Special advertising opportunities in luxury home magazines and websites. * Special access to WealthEngine tools for screening and conducting targeted marketing campaigns to financially qualified prospects. * A long list of vendor marketing partners who provide a wide range of special marketing services.
For more information on Bivin Realty Group click here to visit the website.
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Opportunity In Greater Boston
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Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation and CropCircle Kitchen have teamed up to redevelop a former meat packing facility in Dorchester into the Pearl Food Production Center.
This 36,000 square-foot, single-story building will contain three types of food production spaces:
(1) a shared commercial kitchen run by CropCircle Kitchen
(2) a food truck commissary kitchen also run by CropCircle Kitchen
(3) 7 to 8 separate spaces for lease by food businesses in a mezzanine stage of growth.
Pearl is now seeking food business tenants for all three space types. Pearl will open for business in April 2014 and tenants should be able to move in and begin production in April 2014.
To learn more about the project and to start an application, visit:
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Invitations for Bid and Opportunities
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| Step Up Offers Wage Subsidies, Grants To Businesses Wanting To Hire Unemployed Connecticut Residents |
Bridgeport, CT (February 7, 2014) -The state's Subsidized Training and Employment Program (Step Up)offers subsidized wage and manufacturing training opportunities to Connecticut businesses looking grow their company while giving an unemployed Connecticut resident a chance, a job, and a Step Up!
Step Up Step Up is an initiative of the Connecticut Department of Labor and the five Connecticut Workforce Investment Boards, including The WorkPlacein southwest Connecticut. The program promotes job creation and worker opportunity for Connecticut small businesses and unemployed workers. Since 2012, over 650 Connecticut businesses have taken advantage of Step Up and more than 2,100 workers have found employment.
Companies can request wage reimbursement grants of up to $20.00 an hour when hiring a qualified, unemployed candidate to work between 32-40 hours a week for a period of up to 6 months, depending on availability of funds:
Step Up Subsidized Wage & Manufacturing Training Grants available through May 31, 2014 to:
Step Up Unemployed Armed Forces Member Grant available through June 30, 2015 to:
Companies interested in applying for any grant can call Carmen A. Nieves at (203) 610-8478. Find out more information about Step Up and how to apply by visiting.
About The WorkPlace: The WorkPlace conducts comprehensive planning, and coordinates regional workforce development policy and programs to prepare people for careers while strengthening the workforce for employers. As national leader in the field, The WorkPlace regularly shares ideas and best practices with lawmakers, foundations, think tanks and other workforce development organizations around the country. For more information, visit www.workplace.org or
The GNEMSDC is a participant in this program. We have been able to get cash for two employees that we brought on. America is great place!
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| FYI |
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| SBA Offers Free 8a Consulting |
 The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now offering companies interested in applying for 8a certification FREE consulting. The purpose of the 8a program is to develop "Small Disadvantaged Businesses" that are looking to win Federal government contracts. The SBA contracted with Stover & Associates to conduct the online training. The training takes approximately one hour to complete. If you are interested in the training, please visit the link below. We are strongly encouraging GNEMSDC MBEs to take advantage of this program. Some of the largest MBEs in our network were once 8a certified firms. In recent years, the number of MBEs in the program in New England has fallen dramatically.http://stoverteam.adobeconnect.com/applicationtrng/event/registration.html |
| MED Week Awards program |
 The MBDA is calling for nominations for MBDA awards. See the link below for more information. Also feel free to call the Boston or Bridgeport MBDA Business Centers operated by the GNEMSDC, 617-986-6366 or 203-288-9744.
http://www.mbda.gov/
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Congratulations GNEMSDC!
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 The GNEMSDC was recently selected by the Westchester Greater Connecticut branch of the National Black MBA Association to be the 2014 Community Organization of the Year. The award will be presented at the black-tie event on March 29th at the Stamford Sheraton. The GNEMSDC will purchase a table for the event. If you are a certified MBE or a corporate members, we can reserve a seat for you on a first come -first serve basis. For more information on the event, click here |
GNEMSDC MASS MBE Orientation Participants
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| President Obama Comes to Connecticut |
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| And Finally... |
Several people have asked how I got to be seated, actually standing, right behind President Obama at his speech at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) last week. The event was extensively covered by the media. Four governors, (Patrick, Chaffee, Shumlin and Malloy) along with the entire Connecticut House of Representatives delegation (Esty, DeLauro, Himes, Courtney, Larson) and the mayors of the three largest cities (Finch, Harp, and Segarra) in CT were in attendance. Only the four governors had a better seat than me. The purpose of the event was to generate support for a bill to increase in the Federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $10.10 an hour. This was a campaign style event with bands, fan fare and an enthusiastic and supportive audience.
The story of how I got the best seat in the house began with an editorial I wrote for the Hartford Business Journal, "The Minimum Wage Should be Significantly Increased" that was published on February 3. The editorial has since been picked up by over 10 other publications. When I learned that that President would be coming to Connecticut, I sent an email to Joann Hill who works at the MBDA office in Washington expressing my interest in attending the speech/event. Joann graciously said that she would send the request and a copy of the editorial up the chain. That was two weeks ago.
I had heard nothing until Monday afternoon. This past Monday, I was about to board a flight from Las Vegas going to LA and from there, I was taking the red-eye to JFK. Then I got a call from Demetria Gallagher of the MBDA who had been contacted by the White House asking if I was still interested in attending the event. Like much of what happens in Washington, the White House needed an answer right away. So I agreed to attend. I figured if I cannot change my plans to attend an event featuring the President of the United States (POTUS), what or who should I change my calendar for? Demetria wrote back to say I could invite some guests. So I sent out an email to the GNEMSDC board of directors identifying the opportunity, and that it was extremely time sensitive. By the time I landed in LA, Tom Davis (Cartus) and Ron Williams (RCI) had responded saying they were interested. I immediately sent their information to Demetria before getting on the red-eye to JFK. When I landed on Tuesday morning at JFK, I got the confirmation from Demetria.
Little did I know that once I had received the confirmation email from Demetria (through the White House) that when I showed up at CCSU, Ron Williams and I would be ushered to a spot directly behind the President. We were literally five feet away from the President. It was quite an exciting event. I had met the President once before. At that time President Obama was Candidate Obama. This first meeting was at the home of former New York Knick Alan Houston in Greenwich, CT back in 2008. At that event, I got to shake his hand and write the biggest political check I have ever written. To put it in perspective, it was for an amount several times more than the cost of my first car, or a year's tuition at UCLA in 1972. But it was a check I was happy to write. For that check, I received a very nice letter from the President Obama once he was elected and tickets to his first inaugural that cold January day in 2009.
But somehow, this encounter at CCSU was different from either of those two previous events. Perhaps I will never know if President Obama actually read what I wrote. I like to think that he did. When you write as much as I do for public consumption, your worst nightmare is that no one is reading your thoughts. Alternatively, the most rewarding thing a writer can experience is that someone is paying attention. When it comes to communications that are trying to change policy, there is no greater feeling that you have contributed in the debate.
Now that this event is over, it is back to work. It is trying to reschedule those meetings that I blew off for the POTUS. What a day. It is one I will remember for a very long time. If you missed the program here is aCSPAN video link with me, Ron Williams, and the President of the United States.
In your service
Dr. Fred
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