BBC Research & Consulting’s Post

Closing Indy's business gaps The City of Indianapolis is conducting a year-long disparity study to clear the roadblocks standing in the way of minority and women-owned businesses. 👉 Why it matters: Indy's Black-owned businesses are booming with year-over-year growth that eclipses the national average, but experts say challenges related to access and capital keep these enterprises from reaching their full potential. 👉 Driving the news: The Office of Minority and Women Business Development, in conjunction with BBC Research & Consulting, is leading the city's first disparity study in five years. The focus of the study is to encourage the participation of minority and women-owned businesses in state contracting and create a fair, competitive, and equitable environment for those businesses. Learn more here--->https://buff.ly/3z0ahX7 #blackownbusinesses #minoritybusiness #indianapolis

🏛️St. Paul, Minnesota, has made history by inaugurating an all-female city council, marking a significant milestone for the state's capital. At their initial meeting, City Council President Mitra Jalali observed a groundbreaking moment as every council member's seat was filled by women. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as all seven women are under 40 years old, with six of them being women of color.🌟 👩💼Experts noted that, with St. Paul’s approximately 300,000 population, it appears to be the first major U.S city with an exclusively female city council. While the council members celebrate this historic event, they express even more enthusiasm about the potential accomplishments of the all-female council in the coming year.🚀 🌐City Council President Mitra Jalali emphasized the diverse backgrounds of the council members, spanning from civil engineering to nonprofit leadership, which she believes reflects the city's rich diversity. She stated that the council's clear policy vision and their range of professional experiences contributed to their election. 🌎According to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, St. Paul stands out as the largest U.S. city known to have an all-female city council. Despite being a nonpartisan office, all seven members of the council are Democrats. In terms of women's representation in Minnesota, the state ranks 16th, tied with Michigan, with women constituting 35% of municipal officeholders in cities with over 10,000 people. Read more: Hartford Courant by By Trisha Ahmed and Steve Karnowski https://ow.ly/vb2R50QuHKM #AllFemaleCouncil #WomenInPolitics #DiverseLeadership #BreakingBarriers #EmpoweredWomen #InclusiveRepresentation #InspiringChange #PoliticalDiversity #GenderEquality #YoungLeaders #WomenOfColor #LeadershipGoals #EqualityInAction #EmpowerHer

Celebrating 85 Years of Advocacy & Innovation with the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Since 1939, the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC) has been a driving force in empowering Hispanic entrepreneurs and businesses. For 85 years, GDHCC has championed growth, opportunity, and breaking barriers in the public and private sectors. With Hispanic-owned businesses booming across the U.S.—growing at twice the rate of others—GDHCC remains committed to uplifting the fastest-growing segment of our economy. The Numbers Tell the Story: - 34% growth in Latino-owned businesses over the last decade! - Hispanic businesses generate $500 billion in annual revenue! But GDHCC’s impact goes beyond numbers. From securing crucial contracts for minority businesses to pioneering sustainability initiatives, they are positioning Hispanic entrepreneurs at the heart of a greener, more sustainable future. As GDHCC celebrates its 85th anniversary, it’s not just about reflecting on the past—it’s about shaping the future for generations to come. Join us in supporting this incredible legacy and the next wave of Hispanic business leaders making a difference! Read the featured article! #GDHCC #LatinoBusiness #EconomicEmpowerment #Sustainability #Innovation #Advocacy #HispanicHeritage #BusinessGrowth #Legacy #NextGenLeaders #LatinxExcellence https://lnkd.in/gxaTYXEv

"What about men?" "Diversity is when men get excluded." These are actual reactions to the herstoric* swearing-in of the all-women city council in St. Paul, MN. This city council is not just all women, but women representing a spectrum of communities and identities. The above rebuttals are the textbook example of: "When you're accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression." They also do not just appear during landmark events. I have seen this ' feedback' made at all women/queer speaking engagements as well as events. Men have been running the show in all manners of society - at work, in government, in powerful positions with the ability to change lives. Where was the diversity then, and where was the advocacy for people other than men to be in such positions of power? Or because the system is set up to give you the sense of entitlement that once taken away (hello, patriarchy 👋🏼 ), you realize that power AND responsibility is not a right? Shoutout to the elected representatives, and to all of us who want to make more of such representation happen, let's keep challenging the status quo 🔥 And for the last time (lol who am I kidding but one can dream): Inclusion without equity is not inclusion; it's pacification AT THE EXPENSE of those who've historically been excluded. *That's not a spelling error. #XincereYiYours #DiversityEquityInclusion

"The National Fair Housing AllianceNational Fair Housing Alliance® (NFHA™) released the following statement from Executive Vice President Nikitra Bailey in response to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals panel’s decision to halt Atlanta, GA-based Fearless Fund’s grant program for Black women: “The Eleventh Circuit Court’s decision is part of a larger unwise attempt to dismantle Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs nationwide and stymie decades of Civil Rights progress. It is no coincidence that the same forces behind the Supreme Court’s 2023 anti-affirmative action ruling are also behind this court decision." #FairHousing #FairHousingForAll #FairHousingAct #fairhousingrights https://lnkd.in/gJ7Egns3

Did You Know... It's the City of Greensboro’s policy to ensure all businesses, including those owned by minorities and women, are afforded the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the City’s contracting processes for commodities, construction, other services, and professional services. The M/WBE Office is the driving force behind making this happen. Want to Participate? To participate on City contracts as an M/WBE firm, a business must first be state certified as either a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and then meet the City M/WBE Program Plan criteria. Visit the link below to learn the steps: https://lnkd.in/gf2Ztjf3

Thank you Construction Careers Council for featuring me in your blog!

🌟Profiles in Power 🌟 Meet Joyce Watterman, the council president of Jersey City, New Jersey, and a true advocate for her community. With a Master of Arts degree in organizational leadership from Pillar College, Joyce is the first African-American woman to hold the position of council president in Jersey City. She's also responsible for creating the city’s first women's advisory board. What drives Joyce in public service? It's her passion for being a voice for others, advocating for their needs and rights. She finds profound satisfaction in making a positive impact on individuals and communities, addressing their concerns, and improving lives. Joyce believes in fostering positive change, promoting equality, and justice, all while contributing to building a better Jersey City where everyone can thrive and be heard. Her guiding wisdom? Embracing life's seasons. Joyce understands that circumstances change and evolve, reminding herself to fully engage in each moment, appreciating the journey and the lessons it brings. And here's something you might not know about Joyce: She's a big fan of Minnie Mouse! 🐭✨ In shedding light on local government, Joyce emphasizes the importance of understanding the scope of authority of the city council. While they play a crucial role in local governance, there are limitations to what they can do. It's crucial for the public to recognize these boundaries while engaging with their local representatives. Read more of the exclusive here: https://lnkd.in/gTRf9qnN #PublicService #CommunityAdvocate #JerseyCityLeadership

The State of New Jersey released its highly anticipated #disparitystudy yesterday, and the findings prove more problematic than expected. The meticulously prepared study exposes entrenched discrimination and institutional racism against the state's minority groups and women, when it comes to government contracts. According to the report, minority communities have suffered significant losses, totaling billions of dollars, in potential government contracts. For example, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Caucasian Females have lost out on $813 million in construction contracts alone. Click here to learn more about this study about the disparity in government contracts for minority groups, and get inspired to take action for #contractingreform. https://lnkd.in/eauuMfbZ #DisparityStudies #GovernmentContracting #SocialJustice #InstitutionalRacism #ChangeMakers #MakeAnImpact https://lnkd.in/eauuMfbZ

���� Calling All Advocates of Change & Equity! 🔊 🌐 Virtual Town Hall Alert: A Defining Moment for Our Community 🌐 Join the National Urban League for a transformational virtual town hall meeting. This is not just another meeting—it's a pivotal assembly featuring our esteemed President and CEO, Marc Morial, alongside the Senior Leadership of the NUL. 🗺️ We are at the forefront of a historic juncture as we set the compass for 2024 and beyond. This town hall will serve as the platform to unveil our strategic priorities that will drive change and empower communities across the nation. Key Highlights to Anticipate: ✨ Empowerment Summit 2024: Elevating voices and forging paths for actionable change. ✨ State of Black America: A comprehensive report outlining the progress and struggles, shaping the narrative for advocacy and policy change. ✨ Reclaim Your Vote: Our relentless campaign to safeguard voting rights and amplify civic engagement. ✨ Introducing "Urban League Fights for You: D3": A groundbreaking messaging campaign poised to resonate, mobilize, and empower. This is more than an invitation; it’s a call to action for every individual who believes in the pillars of justice, equality, and true empowerment. Be part of the conversation that shapes our future. Your voice. Your presence. Your power. 📢 Spread the word. Be the wave of change. Stand with the Urban League as we mark another chapter of extraordinary impact. Register Here: https://lnkd.in/eeJbugsp #NULTownHall #UrbanLeagueFightsForYou #ReclaimYourVote #StateOfBlackAmerica #EmpowermentSummit2024 #MarcMorial #NationalUrbanLeague #AdvocacyInAction #CommunityEmpowerment #YourVoiceMatters