Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council Opens Community Business School in Bridgeport - This Saturday
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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. The first meeting will be this Saturday, March 1 from 9:00 to 11:30 am. We are expecting interested businesses as well as leaders from the community who want to see growth in inner city businesses. Our plan is not to reinvent the wheel. We plan on working with other great organizations in the region that offer business development services. Come join us on this inaugural session. We hope it will be the start of a wonderful thing. Read more |
| ISM-CT/GNEMSDC Supplier Diversity Panel Discussion - March 4 |
On Tuesday, March 4, the GNEMSDC and ISM Connecticut will be co-hosting a workshop on corporate supplier diversity. GNEMSDC is inviting interested MBEs who want to spend some time with corporate procurement professionals to join us at this 3 hour program from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm in Bridgeport. As is the case for many of our events, this event is an excellent opportunity for certified MBEs to get to better know influential decision makers in corporate procurement.
We have a limited number of slots for MBEs. The total number of participants will is limited to 40, 25 corporate members of ISM and 15 MBEs. If you are interested in attending, email Jerilynn Clarke at jclarke@gnemsdc.org.
Only certified GNEMSDC MBEs and ISM-CT members and invited guests can attend.
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| 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.
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. The second panel will be on "Growth Strategies through Acquisition" moderated by Warren Bacon, Director of the Boston MBDA Center. 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.
This event is free, and there are a limited number of seats available. To register online
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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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| 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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| Corporation of the Week: Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation/ Foxwoods Resort Casino |
 The Mashantucket Pequots are a native Algonquin people in southeastern Connecticut known for their "Pequot Spirit of Survival". The tenacity of the Mashantucket Pequots brought them through centuries of persecution to economic prominence today. Since opening one of the first Native American bingo halls in the country in 1986, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) has also developed a host of lucrative economic ventures including the Lake of Isles Golf Course and the Spa at Norwich Inn. The MPTN is one of Connecticut's highest state tax payers and largest employers. For a comprehensive look the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, visit www.mptn-nsn.gov.Foxwoods ® Resort Casino Foxwoods Resort Casino, owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, is one of the premier hotel, gaming, shopping and entertainment destinations in the Northeast. As the largest resort casino in North America, Foxwoods offers a vast array of gaming in six casinos; AAA Four-Diamond hotels, restaurants from gourmet to express, world-renowned spas, awarding-winning golf, state-of-the-art theaters, and exclusive retailers. For more visit Foxwoods.com. Supplier Diversity The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) values the importance of supplier diversity, recognizing that viable, self-sustaining Native American and other minority business communities benefit the overall economic health of the country. As commitment to this principle, the MPTN Supplier Diversity Program fosters the development of Tribal Member Owned & Native American businesses, Minority Businessesand Women-Owned Business Enterprises as suppliers of goods and services. Click here for more information on Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation's Supplier Diversity Program. |
| MBE of the Week: Blackburn Professional Cleaning |
 Blackburn Professional Cleaning is a family owned business with 40 years experience as cleaning experts. It was founded by Steven Blackburn and is a full-service carpet, floor, and fabric care company serving Southeastern Connecticut, since 1970.
At Blackburn Professional Cleaning, we take pride in our reputation, experience, education, systems, and guarantee. Blackburn Professional Cleaning is a IICRC & Clean Trust certified firm, the world's most recognized body of certification for carpet and upholstery cleaners.. We hold multiple cleaning technician certifications. You can depend on Blackburn Professional Cleaning for carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, oriental and area rug cleaning, fiber and fabric protection, tile and grout cleaning and sealing, urine damage treatment, and water damage restoration.
Blackburn Professional Cleaning headquarter is located at 977 Hartford Turnpike, Waterford CT 06358. Click here to find out more information.
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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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| FYI |
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| 2014 MBE Performance Survey - Preliminary Results |
| Each year since 2009 we have conducted the MBE Performance Survey. The 2014 survey helps us better understand how MBEs are doing and what changes they are making or considering making in their businesses. If you are an MBE, please take 10 minutes to complete the survey. Your answers are confidential. Thank you.
Here are the preliminary results for the survey.
2014 MBE Performance Survey Deadline is February 24.
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GNEMSDC MBE Growing to Scale Participants
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 This past week we held the Growing to Scale MBE development program at the GNEMSDC MBE Development Center at 333 State Street in Bridgeport. The two and half day program focused on helping the participants focus on growing their profitability by reducing cost through process improvement and by increasing sales through strategic alliances.
Pictured from left to right are Tom Nesby of Nesby and Associates, Marvin White of BizProFit. Tom and Marv were our principal instructors, and both did an outstanding job. To Marv's left is Jennifer Little-Greer, MBE Services Director, Lori Johnson (CommVerge Marketing), Deborah Williams (Her Game 2), Vincencia Adusei (Vase Construction Management), William Jimenez (RMI Solutions), Eddie Nesby (Nesby and Associates) and Dr. Fred. Not pictured are two of the presenters, Dr. Ramesh Wahdwani, President and CEO of SAI Systems and Julie Oka of Pfizer. I thank all of the presenters and participants for attending this meaningful investment in their development. Stay tuned to more MBE development programs.
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| And Finally... |
I am a proud board member of a new Boston area non-profit organization called Empower Yourself. Empower Yourself was started two years ago by a former GNEMSDC MBE, Cedric Turner. Empower Yourself is working with middle schools in Brockton, MA in the area of financial and economic education. Two weeks ago we had our graduation ceremony that was reported on in the Enterprise Newspaper. These are predominantly Black and Hispanic kids from low to moderate income households. For the past two years, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has graciously hosted an economic competition for the kids in the program. This past fall the Brockton kids competed in an economic competition held at Foxborough Stadium and hosted by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. The Empower Yourself kids were the only middle school kids represented among 90 other high schools, some from the most prestigious private schools in the area. The Brockton kids placed 9th overall! This confirms a belief that I have that economics, entrepreneurship, business development, and wise financial management is a skill that should be taught early and often, particularly for kids who do not grow up surrounded by great wealth.
I contrast this to an article I read during the NBA All Star week about former NBA All Stars who soon after they retired from the league were bankrupt. The report stated that 60 percent of NBA players file for bankruptcy 5 years after retiring from the league. This is not to pick on the NBA. Similar statistics unfortunately are found with minority players in football and other professional sports as well. Professional athletes are phenomenally talented. But that talent with rare exception, is not translated into business and financial success, post retirement. (We also see this phenomenon with lottery winners who have had no previous experience managing money. They often are broke after winning what should be a fortune to last a lifetime. And like the NBA, the NFL or other sources of fast money, lotteries are not the source of the problem. Ignorance is.)
I really believe the NMSDC, our corporate members and our MBE can play a role that assists all parties. In the article on the "financially irresponsible" NBA players, they highlight 9 recently retired players who had combined salaries and bonuses close to $1 billion over their careers. All gone! Not only are these players suffering now, they each lost golden opportunities to create sustainable wealth with their rare financial capital. We know that it takes more than capital to create sustainable wealth, but this capital is often the missing piece that highly motivated, well trained, and connected MBEs need.
We must support financial and business education at a young age in inner-city communities in programs like Empower Yourself. And we must find a way to train highly paid professional athletes in the same financial and economic skills. It is often stated that a fool and his money are easily separated. It is time to end the foolishness and connect sources of minority wealth to minority entrepreneurs. And we must educate more young people on finance, economics and entrepreneurship so that history does not keep repeating itself.
In your service
Dr. Fred
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