The U.S. Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) hosted the MBDA Stakeholder Summit at the Gallup Center in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 25.
The closed meeting assembled the Agency’s national strategic partners to discuss several topics that included the state of minority businesses in the 21st century, the future of the minority business landscape, emerging opportunities, and access to capital for minority business enterprises (MBEs).
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker welcomed the group and encouraged the participants to ensure the United States remains open for all of our country’s businesses.
“I recognize that assembling this esteemed group of thought leaders, issue experts, business leaders and entrepreneurs was no easy feat,” said Pritzker at the event. “Today is about you—hearing your ideas, gaining your insights, and developing a plan of action that empowers more minority firms to grow and thrive in the global economy.”
MBDA National Director, Alejandra Castillo, convened the gathering to build synergy among stakeholders and ultimately create a plan of action to bolster the growth of minority-owned firms.
“We are all here today because we share a passion; a passion for the growth and expansion of MBEs,” said Castillo. “MBEs are a national economic priority and our collaboration is critical to sustaining programs, policies, and initiatives that continue to help them grow in size and scale.”
Castillo urged for expanded alliances amongst strategic partners to ensure best in class service to a growing minority-owned business community. “Each of us is a vital part of an engine that fuels America. But the whole is greater than the sum of parts,” she said.
The MBDA Stakeholder Summit served as a foundation for an institutionalized process that will allow continued collaboration between the national stakeholders.
“Today, America is becoming more diverse. And I firmly believe that our economy and country are stronger when we use 100 percent of our talent,” said Pritzker. “You know what we need to do to expand opportunity for entrepreneurs and business people of every race and background. We need your leadership, your experience, your expertise, and your collaboration to ensure the U.S. remains open for all our country’s businesses.”
For more information on the MBDA, please visit www.mbda.gov.
» READ: Remarks from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker at MBDA Stakeholder Summit
» VIEW: Event photos on Google+
