Minority-owned firms face ‘crisis’ as affirmative action programs fall
Minority- and women-owned businesses are bracing for the end of affirmative action in federal contracting—and the potential loss of contracts worth at least $70 billion a year.
Minority Business Enterprise
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Federal grant helps IEDC expand minority services to small businesses
The agency last year received $1.6 million from the federal Minority Business Development Agency and added $400,000 in matching funds.
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Council imposes penalties on vendors that don’t meet minority-contracting goals
The changes would allow officials to withhold payments from vendors, terminate their contracts or ban them from future city contracts if they don’t comply with the program.
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Council considers penalties for vendors that don’t meet minority-contracting goals
The proposal gives more power to the Office of Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise in ensuring city contractors work to meet the city’s goals for utilizing minority-owned, women-owned, disabled-owned and veteran-owned businesses.
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Justice center project hitting minority-contracting targets, but are they too low?
Roughly $162 million has been committed so far to minority-owned businesses helping to build the city’s $575 million criminal justice center complex in the Twin Aire neighborhood.
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Articles
Indiana 250: Emil Ekiyor
Emil Ekiyor is founder and CEO of InnoPower, an Indianapolis not-for-profit that works to encourage and highlight innovations in minority communities.
New restaurant, Block Bistro and Grill, opening downtown
Local restaurateur Terry Anthony said his goal is lure people back downtown and attract repeat customers. The Block opens Sunday in the historic Block Building.
New campaign aims to raise awareness, support for local Black businesses
The campaign, which launches Wednesday, has two goals: Supporting local Black-owned businesses and helping other companies do a better job of supporting the Black community.
Local business leader Bill Mays dies at 69
William G. Mays, who built one of the nation's largest minority-owned companies and saved one of its oldest African-American newspapers, died Thursday in Indianapolis on his 69th birthday. “Indianapolis has lost a titan of industry and philanthropy,” Mayor Greg Ballard said.
Annual diversity luncheon set
The Indiana Professional Association will host its annual networking luncheon March 30 at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse at Keystone at the Crossing.
Minority business group crosses state borders
The Indiana Minority Supplier Development Council has changed its name to Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council, as it executes its national office's plan to consolidate to 24 councils from 36.
Small businesses angle for piece of the big game
More than 400 companies statewide qualified for this year’s NFL Emerging Business program, an initiative that aims to open doors for minority- and women-owned enterprises seeking a sliver of Super Bowl spending.
New minority supplier council chief aims to raise agency’s profile
Carolyn Mosby brings a wealth of experience to the Indiana Minority Supplier Development Council, which she hopes to lead to the next level of success.
Effort to save minority car dealer lands Bill Mays in ditch
PNC Bank last month sued Mays, one of the city’s most prominent black businessmen, charging he defaulted on a $3.5 million loan he received in 2008 that has an unpaid balance of $2 million.
Minority supplier group selects new leader
Directors of the Indiana Minority Supplier Development Council have appointed Carolyn E. Mosby the organization’s new CEO.
Two Indianapolis firms make Inc. magazine list
The firms are among the 10 fastest-growing black-owned businesses in the nation.
Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration schedule
Indiana Black Expo kicks off its 40th annual Summer Celebration July 12 with a full schedule of events.
Athletic entrepreneur helps clients build camaraderie, improve leadership
Deseri Garcia’s Vida Aventura consulting firm uses challenge courses, other unusual techniques to improve teamwork, morale.
Minority-owned logistics firm lands high-profile investors
Wireless phone distributor Brightpoint Inc. is among the backers of a new logistics company that says it might employ 250 by 2012.
Freight Masters files bankruptcy after losing business from Chrysler, Boeing
The minority-owned logistics firm is also involved in a legal battle with a Washington state firm over the loss of its Boeing
business.
Minority suppliers diversifying into life sciences
The Indiana Minority Supplier Development Council has made life sciences companies its latest target—part of an even larger effort to attract minorities to the burgeoning life sciences industry under
way on a national scale.
Minority, women contracts rise for Convention Center project
The hiring of minority- and women-owned
businesses to work on the $275 million Indiana Convention Center expansion is far ahead of state requirements and has surpassed
rates that were registered for the $715 million Lucas Oil Stadium project.
Ice Miller’s Lacy says Obama’s election will help businesses be more unified
Ice Miller LLP partner Lacy Johnson, who helped organize Ill. Democratic Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign here, said
the election represents an opportunity for businesses to move beyond labels.
Minority-owned contractor Mezzetta Construction downsizes dramatically
Mezzetta Construction Inc., one of the city’s largest minority-owned businesses and a contractor on the Lucas Oil Stadium project, is downsizing its staff and auctioning off its office and construction equipment while struggling with financial difficulties.