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Take a minute to read the MBDA Federal Procurement Center's monthly newsletter.
Applications are open now until Friday, September 13, 2024 for the Epicenter Logistics Industry Opportunity Challenge.
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Second Annual Access
To Capital Summit
MBDA recently hosted its Second Annual Access to Capital Summit, "Equity in Action: Advancing Fairness in Financial Services." This federally mandated convening aimed to foster a collaborative environment where stakeholders could share insights, perspectives, and strategies to address the financial landscape and disparities around capital formation for minority business enterprises (MBEs).
Panelists included banks, FinTechs, equity players, and government regulators in the financial arena. The findings and recommendations of actionable solutions from this summit will be reported to Congress in an effort to
advance equity in financial services and support the
growth of MBEs.Â
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GREAT NEWS! The deadline to submit nominations has been extended to Wednesday, August 21, 2024, by 11:59 PM (EST). Take a few more days to complete your nominations and spread the word with your network. Together, let’s spotlight trailblazing minority business enterprises and advocates. Get started by visiting our website today!Â
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The Florida MBDA
Capital Readiness Program
The Florida MBDA Capital Readiness Program, operated by M. Gill & Associates, Inc., (MGA) aims to support socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDIs) in achieving financial opportunities and business success. The program provides no-cost technical assistance to startups and established businesses in Florida, U.S. Territories, and beyond. MGA also manages MBDA’s Business Center and Export Center in Miami, allowing this operator to take a holistic approach to the work by leveraging their 30 years of experience and various MBDA tools and resources at their disposal. Â
“The Capital Readiness Program has created new opportunities to raise awareness about our work with the MBDA,” said Marie Gill, President and CEO, M. Gill & Associates, Inc. “The program has allowed us to expand our reach and broaden our geographic scope. We also serve a new segment of entrepreneurs who are attracted by the concept of capital readiness.” Â
MBDA congratulates M. Gill & Associates, Inc. for being selected as a CRP awardee, we also commend Marie Gill and her team for being able to partner with local subject matter experts to expand their service offerings quickly. MGA’s program focuses on capacity building, providing technical assistance to launch and scale businesses, and facilitating access to capital through various funding programs and investor events. Additionally, it connects entrepreneurs with a network of mentors, coaches, and peers for support.Â
For more details on accessing CRP services in South Florida, visit floridambdacrp.com.Â
Dream Bigger. Achieve More.
Listen to Mr. Karan Arora, a client of the Miami MBDA Business Center, discuss the impact getting assistance with accessing capital had on him and other MBEs. The Miami MBDA Business Center and Export Center are operated by M. Gill and Associates.
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MBDA Staffing Highlight
Intern InsightÂ
Returning for his second year at MBDA, Maguire Sholette is an intern with the Office of the Chief of Staff, focusing on legislative affairs and executive functions.
Maguire is a rising senior at Princeton University and is majoring in Public & International Affairs. Among many extracurricular passions, he is involved with a non-profit student startup, undergraduate economic research, and politics.
During his time at MBDA, he has completed research on long-standing trends impacting MBEs and the agency’s relationships with Congressional members. This year, he produced official correspondence on behalf of the Office of the Chief of Staff, supported Agency reports addressed to executive leadership at the Department of Commerce and  the White House, and completed numerous internal projects.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling, learning foreign languages, and cooking.
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 Closing the Gap Tour
Michigan
Earlier this month, Deputy Under Secretary Eric Morrissette toured Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion to listen to the needs and successes of MBEs in the historic district. Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway, Michigan business owners, and Michigan MBDA Business Center staff joined him on “The Ave”—the largest shopping district of Black-owned businesses in the country and home to exclusive boutiques, art galleries, and services.
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 Investing in Our Communities Panel
In early August, Deputy Under Secretary Morrissette convened a panel to provide greater access to information on Federal contracting for Detroit area MBEs.
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 DoD’s Mentor to Protégé Program Summit
Deputy Under Secretary Morrissette discussed government initiatives to close the equity gap in government contracting with the Associate Administrator of SBA's Office of Government Contracting and Business Development.
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 Seat Assembling with LM
Manufacturing
Deputy Under Secretary Morrissette toured LM Manufacturing, a client of the Michigan MBDA Business Center, who provides manufacturing, assembly and logistics management of complete seat assemblies for the automotive and other mobility industries.
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