December 27, 2010

Jesse Jackson, Sr. To Be GNEMSDC Keynote Speaker at 2011 Gala
	My holiday present came a week early when I learned last Friday evening that Rev. Jesse Jackson accepted my invitation to be the Keynote Speaker at the GNEMSDC Awards Gala on April 28, 2011. Rev. Jackson has been a witness to the evolution of American society from a racially closed and oppressive one to one that has made possible a President Barack Obama. His work in social change has always had an economic focus and continues today in the form of the Rainbow Push Wall Street Project. Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 28, 2011 for what will be one of the most important events in New England in 2011. Visit our website to view Rev. Jackson's full bio.

Sign Up Today for 2011 Annual Sponsorships
	Our work here at the GNEMSDC is not possible without the support of our corporate members and our certified MBEs. We need your support to bring the high quality events and activities whose primary objective is to develop stronger more profitable MBEs. As you can see from today's announcement, 2011 already promises to be an exciting and special year. Annual Sponsors guarantee their participation in our major events and preferred seating and other accommodations. Please consider becoming a 2011 Corporate Annual Sponsor or a 2011 MBE Annual Sponsor, it will help you as well as the Council. For more information the various sponsorship levels, go to www.gnemsdc.org and click on Annual Sponsorships on the home page. Or, you are also welcome to call us at 888-874-7114.

2011 Nominations - It's Time Again
	As we close out the old and bring in the new, it is time for MBEs and corporate members to nominate outstanding MBEs, corporate buyers, supplier diversity advocates, and corporations for award recognitions that will be presented at the 2011 GNEMSDC Awards Gala on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Aqua Turf in Southington, CT. Each year, at our Annual Awards Banquet, the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (GNEMSDC) recognizes those certified minority suppliers (MBEs) who have distinguished themselves and their businesses by: Successfully demonstrating growth in sales and employment while overcoming significant obstacles; Consistently providing high quality products and services at competitive prices and offering innovative approaches and cost saving ideas: Continuously growing MBE to MBE purchases; and Significantly contributing to the growth and development of society and their community. All corporate members are invited to nominate MBEs in each of the following categories: Class 1 MBEs - Annual Sales Less Than $1 million Class 2 MBEs - Annual Sales between $1 million and less than $10 million Class 3 MBEs - Annual Sales between $10 million and less than $50 million Class 4 MBEs - Annual Sales greater than $50 million Reciprocal MBE - MBEs with their primary office outside CT, MA, RI, NH, ME or VT and must be reciprocally certified with GNEMSDC By the end of the first week of 2011 all corporate members will receive a form that should be completed by February 28, 2011 with the names of their nominees. Give the office a call if you have any questions about the appropriate category of your nominees. The important thing is to get your nominees in. MBEs will also be making nominations for the following awards: Advocate of the Year - This Award is presented to a supplier diversity manager/director who has done an outstanding job of assisting MBEs for the benefit of both their employer and the MBE Buyer of the Year - This award is presented to a buyer from our corporate membership that has gone far and beyond the call of duty to assist MBEs with procurement opportunities and feedback MBE Empowerment Award - This award is presented to an MBE who has worked to assist other MBEs Corporation of the Year (National Member) - This award is presented to the corporate member who has demonstrated commitment and has delivered results in the area of minority business procurement and development Corporation of the Year (Local Member) - This award is presented to the corporate member who has demonstrated commitment and has delivered results in the area of minority business procurement and development Certified MBEs will be provided with nomination forms in the first week of 2011 in an email attachment. We are requesting that the nominations by MBEs also be back by February 28, 2011. The staff is here to assist MBEs with any questions they have about the process or the categories. It is appropriate for companies, corporate representatives and MBEs to ask their supporters to consider nominating them for these prestigious awards. Although you cannot nominate yourself, sometimes you have to toot your own horn with a gentle reminder to your friends who you have supported throughout the year.
	Connecticut Lottery Corporation and MBE Participation The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) is a quasi public corporation that sells lottery tickets to the public. Last year the CLC sold more than $900 million in lottery tickets and returned over $250 million to the state of Connecticut. The CLC spends close to $50 million a year on its operations and the marketing and advertising of its games of chance. Last year the CLC spent less than $20,000 with Black, Hispanic and Asian owned companies certified by the State of Connecticut. Academic studies show conclusively that state lotteries are played disproportionately by ethnic and racial minority players and the poor. These and other studies also show that state lotteries are a regressive way to pay for state expenditures because of where the money comes from and for the types of expenditures that are supported by these gambling derived resources. The image above is a billboard that will be on display at two locations in the Greater Hartford area. There are several targeted audiences of this message and several desired outcomes. First the desired audiences: The general public is a targeted consumer of the information in this ad. I do not think many people think about the CLC as a source of taxation that has regressive effects. It is unlikely that states will kill this goose that lays golden eggs, but the public needs to be aware of where the money from the lottery comes from and where it goes. The minority community is also a targeted consumer of this information. Urban communities in Connecticut are some of the lowest income urban areas in the country. Any activity that extracts resources out of these communities that could have gone to economic development is something that needs to be addressed. Governor Elect Dan Malloy is also someone who needs to be aware of the connection between the lottery, minority community savings and capital formation and MBE spend. The General Assembly is targeted to view this information, because our elected officials are responsible for the use of the money the CLC provides the state. MBEs are a targeted audience for this ad, because I want you to spend some time calling the CLC and asking to be included in bid opportunities. The CLC should be inundated with your calls. And the CLC is the primary targeted audience this campaign is attempting to reach. And make no mistake, this is not simply an attempt to publicly embarrass the CLC. This effort is designed to bring about measurable and sustainable change in the utilization of MBEs by this quasi public institution. The desired outcomes are the following: The utilization of MBEs at rates commensurate with the percentage of money ethnic and racial minorities play these games. A change in the leadership of the CLC to reflect the minority business interests in the state of Connecticut The creation of line item in the state budget for minority business development that utilizes funds generated by the CLC. We will see in coming weeks, if not days, if the CLC gets the message that the status quo is not acceptable.

And Finally,

This week I went back to look at my New Year's resolution from last year. I have decided that I did not do so well. I resolved to be more tolerant of the opinions of others. I am, except for opinions that do not make any sense. But I guess I should show some respect for the person with the ignorant opinion even if I do not respect the opinion. As you can see, I am still struggling with this. But as I work on this, this year I resolve to delegate more and do more by doing less. Perhaps the most influential book I read this year was the Four Hour Work Week. If I am ever to get to a better work life balance, I have to be more efficient in my use of time and energy. This does not mean that I want to serve you less. Nor am I under the delusion that I can work four hours a week. But I am committed to working smarter and getting more accomplished personally and professionally in 2011. What is your New Year's resolution? In your service Dr. Fred

Jesse Jackson, Sr. To Be GNEMSDC Keynote Speaker at 2011 Gala

My holiday present came a week early when I learned last Friday evening that Rev. Jesse Jackson accepted my invitation to be the Keynote Speaker at the GNEMSDC Awards Gala on April 28, 2011. Rev. Jackson has been a witness to the evolution of American society from a racially closed and oppressive one to one that has made possible a President Barack Obama. His work in social change has always had an economic focus and continues today in the form of the Rainbow Push Wall Street Project. Below are excerpts from the bio his office provided.

"The Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. founder and president of the Rainbow Push Coalition, is one of America's foremost civil rights, religious and political figures. Over the past forty years, he has played a pivotal role in virtually every movement for empowerment and social justice. On August 9, 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded Reverend Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Reverend Jackson has been called the "Conscience of the Nation" and the "Great Unifier," challenging America to be inclusive and to establish just and humane priorities for the benefit of all. He is know for bringing people together on common ground across lines of race, culture, class, gender and belief.

For his work in human and civil rights and nonviolent social change, Reverend Jackson has received more than 40 honorary doctorate degrees and frequently lectures at major colleges and universities including Howard, Yale, Princeton, Morehouse, Harvard, Columbia, Stamford and Hampton. He was made an Honorary Fellow of Regents Park College at Oxford University in the UK in November 2007, and received an Honorary Fellowship from Edge Hill University in Liverpool, England. In March 2010, Reverend Jackson was inducted into England's prestigious Cambridge Union Society. In April 2010, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

His impressive bio goes on for 5 more pages of accomplishments around the world and I encourage you to go on the GNEMSDC website this week to read his full bio. Needless to say we are honored to have him as our Keynote Speaker, and I fully expect that we will surpass all of our previous records in attendance and participation. This is sure to be one of the most important events in all of New England in 2011. Mark your calendar now for April 28, 2011 and buy your sponsorships now to guarantee your seats.

Sign Up Today for 2011 Annual Sponsorships
	Our work here at the GNEMSDC is not possible without the support of our corporate members and our certified MBEs. We need your support to bring the high quality events and activities whose primary objective is to develop stronger more profitable MBEs. As you can see from today's announcement, 2011 already promises to be an exciting and special year. Annual Sponsors guarantee their participation in our major events and preferred seating and other accommodations. Please consider becoming a 2011 Corporate Annual Sponsor or a 2011 MBE Annual Sponsor, it will help you as well as the Council. For more information the various sponsorship levels, go to www.gnemsdc.org and click on Annual Sponsorships on the home page. Or, you are also welcome to call us at 888-874-7114.

Fusco Corporation Joins GNEMSDC as New Corporate Member
	On behalf of the Board of Directors, I welcome the Fusco Builders as a new corporate member. For three generations Fusco Builders, a construction and construction management company based in New Haven, has been a major player in the construction industry in the region. "Founded in New Haven in 1924, Fusco Corporation is a privately owned family business which operates in the sphere of commercial construction. For over 84 years, three generations of Fuscos have lead the business through accomplishments such as the restoration of the Shubert Theater and Yale University's Payne Whitney Gymnasium, the building of the Connecticut Tennis Center and 100 Pearl Street in Hartford, Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport and Harbor Plaza in Stamford, CT. Welcome Fusco Builders to the GNEMSDC.
	Fusco Builders

Connecticut DOT to Hold Pre Bid DBE Conference January 10
	On January 10 CONNDOT is holding a pre-bid conference for the New Britain-Hartford Busway Project. The program will start at 9:00 AM and be done by noon. This DBE conference is designed to inform DBEs of the opportunities as primes and as subs. (DBE stands for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. This is the certification offered by the state Department of Transportations across the country.) This meeting will take place at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, 1615 Stanley Street (Student Center). To register for this event and reserve your space email, sbrooks@mbakercorp.com by January 3, 2011.

It is Time to Consider 2011 Awards!
	Having Rev. Jackson as our keynote speaker for the Awards Gala will guarantee a very large audience of leaders from around the region to be in attendance. This provides an excellent opportunity for corporate members and MBEs to be the focus of some great publicity and well deserved attention. It is not too early for corporate members and MBEs to start thinking about their successes in 2010 and of those who helped them achieve their goals. MBEs, in particular need to view the Awards Gala as an opportunity to market those successes, in order to build upon them. They can do that by speaking with their corporate clients and asking them if they would nominate them for Supplier of the Year. And corporate members also need speak with the MBEs who they assisted and ask whether they would consider nominating them for one or more of the corporate awards featured (Corporation of the Year, Buyer of the Year, and Advocate of the Year). This year we also will add a new Corporation of the Year that will be presented to a GNEMSDC local corporate member as distinct from NMSDC national members. Nomination forms will soon be up on the website. We will keep you posted.

Sponsor a Meeting, a Workshop, a Seminar or a Reception in 2011
	We are busy filling in our 2011 Calendar of Events, but we still have room for corporate members of the Council to host and/or sponsor workshops, seminars, receptions or other events. These corporate hosted and sponsored events are very effective tools in sharing information with MBEs and learning more about the capabilities of our MBEs. The Council is here to assist you in the planning, marketing and administration of these events. We also have the capability of providing you accurate feedback on the successes of your event. So if you are interested in hosting or sponsoring an event in 2011, give us a call and we can get started making 2011 a remarkable year.

GNEMSDC Technology Upgrade and Website Changes
	The GNEMSDC is just about finished on our latest technology upgrade. One of the consequences of the upgrade is that you will no longer be able to reach us at our old cmsdc.org email addresses. Please check your systems and make the change from tparedes@cmsdc.org to tparedes@gnemsdc.org for all of our employees. And we apologize if some emails have gotten lost in cyberspace during this transition, please reach back out to us if we have not returned your email. Thank you. In addition, we have upgrade the website so that all of local and national corporate members are listed with links to their home pages.

GNEMSDC Has Job Opening For Boston Office Director
	The GNEMSDC is looking for dynamic manager to assist us to expand our operations in the Greater Boston market. If you are interested in learning more about the opportunity send your resume to Gloria Yopp at gyopp@gnemsdc.org. The job description will be posted on our website later this week.

And Finally,

Naughty or Nice? I am trying to decide whether I can honestly with a straight face tell Santa that this past year I was nice. I would like to think that I was nice. I was not arrested or convicted of even a misdemeanor. Not that this is a high standard of being nice, but I know at times my mouth, or more often my written words are pointed and sometimes spiked with a bit of righteous indignation. However, these are rarely personal or have any ill intent . But if I have offended anyone, I want you to know that I am not just concerned about my status with Santa, I am sorry. And please if I have offended anyone, I would appreciate a note saying that my humble apology is accepted so that I can leave on my chimney as evidence to Santa that I am worthy of more than a lump of coal this year. As you can see, I am really fearful that I have some risk this year of not getting any of the things on my holiday wish list. Santa, if you are listening or reading, send me a sign so that I am not broken hearted on Christmas morning. If I am going to get a lump of coal, I would rather know now, and I won't go through the trouble of making so many insincere apologies and works of penance. But if there is a chance, even the slightest chance that I will get that new; fill in the blank, because it is bad luck to tell anyone what you really want other than Santa - please send me a sign. And if there is anyone in my readership that has a special relationship with Santa, perhaps you will be so kind as to vouch for me, there might be something in it for you. We can talk off line as they say. But in all seriousness, I wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season. I look forward to serving you in 2011, and Santa that includes you. I understand your IT needs are massive. In your service Dr. Fred

Boston Holiday Card Exchange Set for Tonight!
	On Monday, December 13 at Darryl's Corner Bar and Kitchen at 604 Columbus Avenue (one block off MA Avenue). The event will go from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This historic bar is part of the African American Boston tradition of great Southern Cuisine. Please RSVP by calling the office or sending Tatiana an email, tparedes@gnemsdc.org. We are also proud to have as co-sponsors for this Holiday Business Card Exchange, the Massachusetts Black Business Alliance and BostonKorea. These are two organizations we have partnered with this year in activities in the Greater Boston area and bringing them together with our organization is quite an honor. Imagine, a little kim chi with your black eyed peas and corn bread!

TJX and A&P Announce Major Changes
	TJX announced this weekend that it would be closing it AJ Wright division and the rumor on the street is that the venerable retailer A&P will be closing it's doors. These unrelated companies have one thing in common; opportunity. I cannot help but think that before thousands of employees join the ranks of the unemployed, that every effort should be tried to keep these retailers open as minority owned and controlled enterprises. What is needed is a willing seller, and a willing buyer group of minority capitalists/entrepreneurs. Who is interested?
	AJ Wright Story

Carlton Oneal Featured in Ethnic Online
	The Online minority professional magazine Ethnic On-line features MBE Input Committee Chairman and Partner at Light Speed in it current edition. To view the article click here. Congratulations Mr. Oneal, you deserve the recognition.

Opportunity at Bridgeport Housing Authority
	The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Request for Proposal (RFP) Labor Attorney Legal Services Solicitation No: 040-EO-10-S Solicitation Date: December 8, 2010 The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (BHA) is currently seeking the services of a qualified professional Labor Attorney to provide legal services regarding issues related to employment law and labor relations. Proposals must be submitted to Mr. Eugene Sumter, Chief Contracting Officer, 150 Highland Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604, by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2010. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held at BHA's Administrative Offices at 150 Highland Avenue on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the Executive Conference Room. All interested parties are strongly encouraged to attend the conference. A complete copy of the solicitation, including proposed forms of contract and proposal requirements, can be obtained on December 9, 2010 at the Purchasing Department, 361 Bird Street, Bridgeport CT 06605, Attention: Ms. Caroline Sanchez, Telephone No. (203) 337-8820.

Congratulation Aetna and MBE Input Committee
	Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the "How to Do Business with Aetna" last week. I heard great things about it, in fact, I want to share an email from an MBE I received. "Dear Fred, I am writing to provide feedback on the Aetna procurement event on December 8, 2010. We met with the Director of Procurement responsible for training and we have now have the opportunity to be considered for international training opportunities. In addition, we made several contacts with other certified MWBE's that are potential Second Tier suppliers, Strategic Alliances or JV partners. On behalf of the entire team at JKA, we would like to thank the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council for making this event possible. Jean Kristensen President & CEO J Kristensen Associates, LLC I hope that we can organize similar meetings in 2011 between corporate members and MBEs. It costs very little to host one of these meetings and you have a partner in the GNEMSDC to make it productive for MBEs and the host corporate member.

See My Interview on Stan Simpson Show
	Yesterday, I had the pleasure of being on the Stan Simpson Show (CT Now Fox 61) talking on the economy. If you would like to view the interview click on the link below. Your comments are always welcome.
	Stan Simpson Show

GNEMSDC Technology Upgrade
	The GNEMSDC is just about finished on our latest technology upgrade. One of the consequences of the upgrade is that you will no longer be able to reach us at our old cmsdc.org email addresses. Please check your systems and make the change from tparedes@cmsdc.org to tparedes@gnemsdc.org for all of our employees. And we apologize if some emails have gotten lost in cyberspace during this transition, please reach back out to us if we have not returned your email. Thank you.

GNEMSDC Has Job Opening For Boston Office Director

The GNEMSDC is looking for dynamic manager to assist us to expand our operations in the Greater Boston market. If you are interested in learning more about the opportunity send your resume to Gloria Yopp at gyopp@gnemsdc.org. The job description will be posted on our website later this week. An Open Letter to Governor Elect Daniel Malloy First let me offer Connecticut Governor-Elect Dan Malloy, a heart felt congratulations. He comes into office when he is going to need all the help he can get in order to get the Connecticut economy moving again. The GNEMSDC is here to help him, the taxpayers, and the minority business community here in Connecticut. We also feel this way about the other five states in our region. But I feel a special relationship to Connecticut and to Mr. Malloy. Mr. Malloy the former Mayor of Stamford is no stranger to the Council. And as a former resident of Stamford, i can say that this town certainly grew under his leadership. The hope is that what happened in Southern Connecticut can be replicated throughout the state, and perhaps the region. So this letter is offered in the spirit of support for assisting Governor Elect Malloy meeting successfully the daunting challenges we all face. Dear Governor-Elect Malloy, Connecticut has a rich tradition of diversity and economic opportunity for minorities. Unfortunately however when it comes to state procurement that tradition is not evident. According to the CT Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, state spending with state certified minority businesses (not women certified minority businesses) has declined from $18 million in 2005/06 to $4 million in 2007/08. In terms of percentages, certified MBEs are receiving only 15 percent of state set-aside contracts as part of the state's supplier diversity program. Non-minority owned women firms are receiving over 75 percent of state contracts in this program. In a state that has a total budget of over $19 billion and spends about a quarter of that on goods and services, the record of the state being an engine for economic development for minority business is atrocious. In effect, the state spends approximately $5 per minority resident on minority business while spending $2,500 per non-minority resident on non-minority businesses. This imbalance you might expect in Jim Crow Mississippi in 1940, but not the great state of Connecticut in 2010. I have some solutions to this dismal record that will effectively deal with this problem and save the state money. The state of Connecticut needs to get out of the business of certifying Minority and Women owned businesses and leave that to organizations like the GNEMSDC and WBENC. The state needs to separate the spending goals for minorities from the spending goals with women owned enterprises. The state needs to put some teeth in its contract compliance and monitoring program to insure participation by all agencies and departments. The state needs to hire a Chief Diversity Officer who would be responsible for supplier diversity and HR diversity. The state needs to target spending on MBEs where those services are being provided to areas where there are large concentrations of minority taxpayers, like Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, etc. The state needs to establish an effective second tier program for major state contractors which includes information, incentives, disincentives, and on-going monitoring. I offer these suggestions as way to begin the conversation on how we turn an ineffective moribund program into something that you and all the residents of the state of Connecticut can be proud of. The future of this state requires that we have a vibrant and growing minority business community. I look forward to working with you and your administration in order to address the current inequities and inefficiencies. In your service, Dr. Fred McKinney, President and CEO GNEMSDC

And Finally,

I sense a great deal of frustration around the country and in Washington with the current state of fiscal policy, and specifically what we spend taxpayers money on and how we raise the funds necessary for the maintenance of the government. I think this is the type of dilemma that has proven impossible for elected officials to solve on their own, regardless of party. I want to make some humble suggestions of a path that could lead us toward a more stable system of financing all federal government operations, including the retirement of a burgeoning debt problem and a teetering Social Security system. These suggestions are not entirely original, and have the unique quality of angering every special interest group, but I think that is not necessarily a bad thing and may in fact be a sign that the policy is headed in the right direction. Here is the plan: Eliminate the current IRS code of deductions, credits, tax brackets and distinctions between types of income and tax all income equally regardless of where it comes from (wages, long term capital gains, short term capital gains, rents, transfers at death, interest, and dividends). I would suggest an initial rate of 25 percent because in a $15 trillion economy a rate at this level would cover all existing expenses and contribute to some retirement of debt, i.e. creating a budget surplus. I can hear the screams already. What about the mortgage interest deduction - gone! What about charitable contributions - gone! What about my five children - well not gone, but don't expect us to pay for them. What about all of the tax accountants and tax lawyers - gone! Who needs them anyway? Your tax form would basically say two things: 1) how much did you earn from all sources and 2) pay 25 percent of that, no stories, no questions no problems. Everyone would have certainty and if we could run the government on less, we could lower the rate for all. And if we needed more, the rate would have to be increased. Some might ask what would Congress do under such a regime. Well they could focus their attention on how the money is spent and on the efficiency of the government. What about the economic consequences of a flat tax? Certainty is good thing for investors, consumers and savers. What about the distributional implications? Well the system we now have is not even progressive on paper anymore. This would be a much more progressive system in practice compared to anything that we have ever had since the Federal government started collecting taxes in 1917. What about the churches, synagogues, mosques and non-profits? Well, we will find out how charitable we really are if we have to give out of after tax resources and not expect a return. Charitable organizations will have to compete for the hearts, minds and wallets of the community at large on the basis of their mission and their effectiveness. In the words of GW Bush, "bring it on". Well I am sure I have not convinced the lawyers, accountants or the politicians, the housing industry, the lobbyists, the non-profit community, because the fact of the matter is, a simple and efficient system is against their professional and economic interests. I would like to hear your thoughts and comments on this important subject that impacts us all.

In your service

Dr. Fred

December 6, 2010

How You Can Help Your Company and the Council in 2011
	The GNEMSDC can be a valued partner for your company whether you are an MBE or a corporate member. The lead story on 2010 events and activities gives an example of the number of ways we can help your organization reach it's goals. Here are some concrete steps that you and your company can support the Council and our mission to make 2011 an even better year. Host a Meeting on "How to Do Business with Your Company" Host a MBE Seminar Host a Corporate Member Seminar Sponsor a Reception (Meet and Greet) Mentor a MBE Join a Regional Advisory Committee Make Some Introductions of Customers and Vendors to the GNEMSDC Volunteer at an Event Donate Technical Expertise to the GNEMSDC Advertise in the e-Newsletter

Boston Holiday Card Exchange Set for Monday December 13
	On Monday, December 13 at Darryl's Corner Bar and Kitchen at 604 Columbus Avenue (one block off MA Avenue). The event will go from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This historic bar is part of the African American Boston tradition of great Southern Cuisine. Please RSVP by calling the office or sending Tatiana an email, tparedes@gnemsdc.org. We are also proud to have as co-sponsors for this Holiday Business Card Exchange, the Massachusetts Black Business Alliance and BostonKorea. These are two organizations we have partnered with this year in activities in the Greater Boston area and bringing them together with our organization is quite an honor. Imagine, a little kim chi with your black eyed peas and corn bread!

Congratulations to Chip Flowers
	It is not often that we get to congratulate an MBE for winning statewide office, so it gives us great pride to congratulate Chip Flowers of the Flowers Law Group for winning the election last month in Delaware to become the Treasurer for the State of Delaware. Mr. Flowers is close to our hearts because his firm, the Flowers Law Group is a tenant at the GNEMSDC offices in Boston. We wish him well in his new endeavor. You can come and give him your personal congratulations at the Holiday Business Card Exchange next Monday (December 13). I guess the lesson here is become a tenant and you just might become the next governor of Maine!
	Chip Flowers ________________________________________________________________ Thank You For a Great Year As we hurtle towards the end of 2010, it is a good time to reflect on this past year. If the there is any one word that describes the year it would be active. We had the busiest calendar of activities in events ever and the result of all of this activity was a record breaking year. Our budget increased by over 30 percent. We increased the number of national corporate members. We increased the number of local corporate members. We increased the amount of certified MBEs. And we increased the amount of seminars, workshops and other networking events. Here is the list of 2010 activities. January 15 GNEMSDC Construction Expo - Mohegan Sun February 9 MBE Seminar - "Access to Venture Capital" February 10 MBE Seminar - "Merchant Banking and Venture Capital" February 23 - 1st Quarterly Meeting at Pitney Bowes in Stamford March 9 Corporate Seminar - Getting Your Corporate Database Ready for Supplier Diversity" March 16 MBE Seminar "Doing Business with the State of MA and the City of Boston" March 17 MBE Seminar - "Doing Business with the State of Connecticut" April 6 Corporate Seminar "Trends in Supplier Diversity Management" April 13 MBE Seminar - Marketing to Corporate Members (Hamden) April 14 MBE Seminar "Marketing to Corporate Members (Boston) April 23 GNEMSDC Annual Meeting (Boston) April 23 "Sports, Media and Minority Entrepreneurship Conference and Luncheon" (Boston) April 24 GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala (Boston) May 12 Corporate Seminar - "Selling Supplier Diversity Internally" Held at Staples May 14 GNEMSDC 2nd Quarterly Meeting Held at AT&T (New Haven) May 14 GNEMSDC Spring Fling Business Card Exchange (New Haven) May 25 MBE Seminar - "Lean Six Sigma and Improving Quality" (Hamden) May 26 - MBE Seminar - "Lean Six Sigma and Improving Quality" (Boston) May 27 GNEMSDC Spring Fling Business Card Reception (Boston) June 9 Corporate Seminar - "Maximizing Your GNEMSDC Membership and New Member Orientation" (Boston) June 15 MBE Seminar - "Doing Business with DOD and DOD Prime Contractors" (Boston) July 16 GNEMSDC Annual Supplier Diversity Golf Classic (Lyman Orchards) July 20 MBE Seminar "Keys to Securing Bank Credit" with Bank of America (Hartford) July 28 Corporate Seminar "Joint Ventures Between Corporate Members and MBEs" Held at Metronic Danvers, MA August 3 through August 5 "Supplier Diversity in Higher Education Conference with National Association of Education Procurement Professionals Held in Providence RI August 6 GNEMSDC 3rd Quarterly Meeting Held at Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI August 25 "How to do Business with Pfizer" Held at Pfizer Groton, CT September 7 MBE Seminar "Trade Show Marketing" (Hamden) September 8 MBE Seminar "Trade Show Marketing (Boston) September 29 - October 1 Annual GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Conference and Expo Held at the MGM Foxwoods October 13 Corporate Seminar "Using Supplier Diversity to Market to External Customers" (Hamden) October 19 MBE Seminar - "Going Global - Buying and Selling in Global Markets" (Hamden) October 20 MBE Seminar "Going Global - Buying and Selling in Global Markets" (Boston) October 24-27 NMSDC Business Opportunity Fair and Conference (Miami) November 15 MBE Seminar "Bank of America Small Business Credit and Supplier Development Opportunity Seminar" Held at Bank of America Boston November 16 "Buy-Sell Agreements and Insurance Needs of Your Business" (Hamden) December 3 GNEMSDC 4th Quarterly Meeting at UTC (Farmington, CT) December 3 Holiday Business Card Exchange (Farmington) December 8 MBE Seminar "How to Do Business with Aetna" December 13 Holiday Business Card Exchange (Boston) This list while extensive, does not cover all of the other activities where we were major participants. I share this list because as we are putting together the calendar for 2011 we are seeking companies who are willing to conduct "How to do Business seminars. We are looking for companies to host meetings of MBEs and meetings of corporate members. We are also seeking feedback on whether any of the topics covered last year would be of interest to MBEs or members this coming year. And we are always open to new ideas for new programs. Feel free to give us a call. We want to hear from you.

Well Wishes and Speedy Recovery for Richard "Dick" Heubner
	The Houston Minority Supplier Development Council is and has been one of the strongest regional councils in the entire NMSDC network for years! Much of that success is due to the leadership of Dick Heubner. We were sorry to learn recently that Dick was hospitalized. On behalf of the entire GNEMSDC network we wish him a speedy recovery.

Globalization Presentation from Waqas Sherwani of Horizicon International
	If you missed the Quarterly meeting on Friday, you missed informative and engaging presentations from Waqas Sherwani of Horizicon International and John Kearny of the Connecticut Development Authority. Both presentations looked at two sides of the same coin. Waqas looked at the opportunity for MBEs to grow their enterprises through globalization and John covered the financing necessary to make this happen. Waqas and John have offered their material to the Council for distribution. This week you can find Waqas' presentation. Much of John's presentation is found on the CDA's website. On behalf of the GNEMSDC, I thank both for their fine presentations as we try to further develop MBEs throughout the region. (We will put the presentations on our website this week.)

The High Costs of MBE Fraud
	I noticed in the media two unrelated cases of fraud when it comes to MWBE programs. The first case was of a Chicago firm (Azteca Supply) and its owner, Aurora Venegas, who plead guilty to fraud for serving as a "pass through" on City of Chicago construction project. The second was a case in NY of a construction firm, Schivaone Construction, that had "won" over $350 million in State of New York construction contracts and falsified its reporting on MWBE utilization. Schiavone agreed to pay a $20 million fine. These programs were designed to benefit legitimate MBEs and encourage their utilization by prime contractors. Unfortunately we still must maintain our vigilance in keeping out firms that are gaming the system. We also must reporter firms who win contracts on the basis of lies to the authorities. There are consequences that I am sure are not considered when firms like Azteca and Schiavone do what they do. I commend the legal authorities for pursuing these cases of fraud and abuse. And the costs paid by the owners of these companies is only one of the costs of MBE fraud. The MBE community in general is harmed when the actions of a few poison the well. The overwhelming majority of certified MBEs are hard working honest and law abiding. These actions bring into question the actions and behavior of the community of MBEs and our mission. Yet we must support these efforts to weed out fakes from the legitimate MBEs.
	NY Times Article on Shiavone Case

Metropolitan District Commission Wins SBA Eagle Award
	The Metropolitan District Commission was awarded the Small Business Administration Eagle Award for its work in supporting the development of small businesses. Chuck Sheehan, President and CEO of The MDC being presented an award by Heyward Davenport of the MBDA. For the press release click below. Congratulations, MDC! Well deserved.
	MDC Wins SBA Eagle Award

GNEMSDC Has Job Opening For Boston Office Director
	The GNEMSDC is looking for dynamic manager to assist us to expand our operations in the Greater Boston market. If you are interested in learning more about the opportunity send your resume to Gloria Yopp at gyopp@gnemsdc.org. The job description will be posted on our website later this week.

And Finally,

In my last year as a junior economist at the White House in 1978, the U.S. Federal Government budget deficit was $44 billion in a $2.1 trillion economy. That year exports (and imports) represented about 10 percent of GDP. And the federal debt was $800 billion. Now we have $14.7 trillion economy, with a $1.4 trillion deficit and exports representing $1.7 trillion and imports at $2.2 trillion. And total federal debt at $10.5 trillion. Debt as a percentage of GDP has increased since 1978 from 38 percent to 71 percent. At that time these were just as alarming numbers as the current set of numbers are now. But now they are even worse. A group of retired elected officials, economists and policy makers just released a report on the fiscal crisis today. By comparison to the numbers back in 1978, our fiscal house is out of order and the path that we are on is not sustainable. This report "The Moment of Truth: Report of the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform" is a document that is likely to influence the current debate in Congress over changing the tax code and the Bush era tax reductions. As an economist and a taxpayer, taxes should be as low as possible, but more importantly, taxes should be sufficient to pay for the legitimate expenses of government. And furthermore, I firmly believe that those Americans who have benefited the most financially should shoulder a disproportionate share of the expense of maintaining our fragile system. Therefore if taxes were reduced to the point that we cannot fund the operations of government, then taxes need to be increased or government needs to be reduced. While it sounds simple, the problem is a political. We are operating in an environment where everyone wants their benefits and wants someone else to pay for those benefits. Right now that someone else happens to be our children and grandchildren, who will be saddled with this crushing debt. This is a legitimate concern of the minority business community. Without fixing this problem, it will become increasingly more difficult for MBEs to get credit, to sell in global markets or to grow their business. There are plenty of places to look for what needs to be cut and where taxes revenues can be increased. Nothing should be taken off the table including sacrosanct areas like Social Security, military expenditures, non-profit tax breaks, or tax rates in general. I can say these things, because I am not running for office seeking the votes of powerful special interests. But most of all there needs to be some attempt at national consensus over our responsibilities as citizens to each other and our children. In your service Dr. Fred

December 1, 2010 Special Edition - Last Day to Register for Aetna - "How to do Business Event"

Delores Holley to Retire at End of the Year
	They say it takes a strong man to be with a strong woman. Well I don't know if I qualify by association, but I do know that Delores Holley has been a storing influence on GNEMSDC and the CMSDC for almost two decades. This December will mark the end of a long and illustrious career Delores,or as we affectionately call her, Dee, will retire from her position as Vice President of the GNEMSDC, where she has served with distinction since 2001. Delores started with the Council in the 1990s and served as the CMSDC Chairperson while she was at Northeast Utilities. During the transition from my predecessor, Elaine William, Delores served as Interim President of the CMSDC. Over her long tenure with the Council, Dee was a stalwart for MBE development and having fun while working hard. We will miss her in so many ways and I am sure you will as well. Our hope is that we maintain her commitment to excellence and a good time. I hope that you all can come to the December 3 Holiday Business Card Exchange at the Farmington Marriott to tell Dee; thank you.

Boston Holiday Card Exchange Set for Monday December 13
	On Monday, December 13 at Darryl's Corner Bar and Kitchen at 604 Columbus Avenue (one block off MA Avenue). The event will go from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This historic bar is part of the African American Boston tradition of great Southern Cuisine. Please RSVP by calling the office or sending Tatiana an email, tparedes@gnemsdc.org. We are also proud to have as co-sponsors for this Holiday Business Card Exchange, the Massachusetts Black Business Alliance and BostonKorea. These are two organizations we have partnered with this year in activities in the Greater Boston area and bringing them together with our organization is quite an honor. Imagine, a little kim chi with your black eyed peas and corn bread! GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting At UTC December 3 The GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting is coming up on Friday December 3 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at United Technologies Corporation in Farmington, CT at Four Farm Springs Road. The agenda for this Quarterly will include showcases by three MBEs, a presentation on exporting goods and services to the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), and a presentation by the UTC supplier development team. The export presentation will replace the seminar scheduled on November 9. Here is a message from UTC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Louis R. Chênevert: "United Technologies Corporation seeks the most innovative and competitive suppliers in order to maintain our competitive advantage. We spent the 1990s working on internal efficiencies and cost with great success. In the last several years we have worked aggressively with our supply base as real partners to eliminate inefficiencies, enable lower cost and deliver the highest quality to our customers. Diverse suppliers have been essential to our performance and will be for decades to come. We also require of our top suppliers and integrators the same supplier diversity commitments we expect from ourselves. Please browse this supplier diversity website where you'll learn how diverse suppliers are a priority for UTC and what your opportunities with our company may be." Following the Quarterly Meeting, we will have the annual CT Holiday Business Card Exchange at the Hartford Marriott, right around the corner from the meeting The HBC Exchange will start promptly at 5:30 and conclude at 7:30 PM. Please feel free to invite and bring a friend. This is a great way to end the year. This is another free event for certified MBEs, corporate members and their guests. Agenda for GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting Dec, 3, 2010 at UTC 2:00 Welcome by Jeffrey Place, Director Global Supply Chain Management and UTC Video 2:15 - Introductions - 20 second commercials for all attendees 2:45 - MBE Showcase - Aimtek 3:15 - MBE Showcase 3:45 - Presentation by Waqas Sherwani of Horizicon International "Exporting to Brazil, Russia, India, China and Korea" 4:20 - John Kearney, Vice President, Connecticut Development Authority, "Financial Support for Minority Businesses Who Want to Export their Goods and Services" 4:45 - Carlton Oneal - MBEIC Report 4:50 - Kristen Hickey - GNEMSDC Chairman's Remarks 4:55 - Fred McKinney - GNEMSDC President's Remarks 5:00 -Adjourn Directions to UTC

Deadline For Aetna Event Approaching
	Aetna is hosting a very important meeting for MBEs who are seeking to do business with this health care giant. The title of the session, is appropriately, "How to Do Business with Aetna". If you are interested in joining us on Wednesday December 8, you will need to RSVP - IMMEDIATELY. Call the office today, 888-874-7114. There are only 20 spaces left for this important opportunity information event.

Office For Rent at GNEMSDC Boston Office
	The GNEMSDC is looking for a certified MBE to rent a beautiful large office within the GNEMSDC offices at Copley Plaza. The rent is $800 per month. The office is furnished and if you rent before November 1, 2010 we will provide wireless Internet and a computer for the office. Call 888-874-7114 for details.