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Meeting of the National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprise

The National Advisory Council for Minority Business Enterprise (NACMBE) will hold its sixth meeting to discuss the work of the three subcommittees and deliberate on final recommendations to accelerate the growth of minority-owned businesses in fulfillment of the NACMBE's charter mandate. The agenda may change to accommodate Council business.

A limited amount of time, in the afternoon, will be available for pertinent brief oral comments from members of the public attending the meeting. Any member of the public may submit pertinent written comments concerning affairs of the NACMBE. To be considered during the meeting, comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, to ensure transmission to the Council prior to the meeting. Comments received after that date will be distributed to the members but may not be considered at the meeting.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). It will be held at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. The U.S. Department of Commerce building is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Demetria Gallagher, at 202-482-1624, or dgallagher@mbda.gov, at least ten (10) days before the meeting date.

For further information contact Demetria Gallagher at 202-482-1624 or via email dgallagher@mbda.gov.

View the Federal Register Notice

Work of the Council

The National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprise has been working on recommendations for the Secretary of Commerce to accelerate the growth of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) in domestic and global markets.  Since March 11, 2011, the Advisory Council has held five full meetings, numerous teleconference calls and conducted research and interviews with government executives, minority business entrepreneurs and academics to learn more about opportunities for growth for minority-owned businesses.  

In support of efforts to develop recommendations for the Secretary of Commerce, the Advisory Council is currently conducting focus groups with the CEOs of MBEs to learn more about the challenges and enablers to business growth.  Findings from the focus groups will further inform recommendations that will promote the growth and competitiveness of the nation’s MBEs.  Participation in focus groups is by invitation only and based on a diversity of business criteria to ensure a balance of opinions. Focus groups are being held in cities across the nation including, Fairfax, Chicago, Houston, New York City and Los Angeles, February through April 2012.

Background

The Secretary of Commerce has established a National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprise to provide advice to the Administration on key issues pertaining to the growth and global competitiveness of the nation’s minority-owned and operated corporations.

The Council will undertake matters to provide advice and develop recommendations to the President through the Secretary of Commerce on a broad range of domestic and international issues that concern minority businesses including but not limited to:

1. Developing strategies and polices to position minority-owned firms to compete in the global economy

2. Developing market based criteria and strategies for gaining access to global supply chains of major corporations

3. Developing strategies for eliminating domestic and global barriers to growth

4. Developing strategies to expand minority-owned firm participation in emerging industries

5. Developing market based strategies to achieve economic parity by 2050

Members | Charter

NACMBE Meetings

February 6, 2012 Meeting

• Minutes | Federal Register Notice | Commerce Secretary John Bryson Meets with the National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprise

December 12, 2011 Meeting

• Minutes | Federal Register Notice

September 29, 2011 Meeting

• Minutes | Federal Register Notice

June 24, 2011 Meeting

• Minutes | Federal Register Notice

March 11, 2011 Meeting

• Minutes | Federal Register Notice
   
• Inaugural Meeting of the National Advisory Council for Minority Business Enterprises Highlights

NACMBE Press Releases

• U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces Members of New National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprises, November 3, 2010

• U.S. Commerce Department Announces Four Openings on New National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprises, March 1, 2011

Call for Nominations

MBDA will continue to accept nominations on an ongoing basis and will consider nominations received after March 30, 2011 if the open Council membership positions are not filled and as future council vacancies arise.

View the Federal Register Notice of Solicitation of Nominations for Membership to National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprise (NACMBE)