Buffalo— Mayor Byron W. Brown today celebrated the week of activities taking place citywide that were focused on Minority-and- Women-owned businesses (MBE/WBE) as part of MBE/WBE Week. He also issued a special proclamation, declaring September 24-28, 2018, as MBE/WBE Week in the City of Buffalo in support of the great value Minority-and-Women-owned businesses have to the community. “One of my top priorities has always been to ensure that all businesses have the opportunity to compete and succeed,” said Mayor Brown. “Minority-and-women-owned businesses are of great value to the City of Buffalo and I thank our partners who are sponsoring events this week that help us with our ongoing efforts to grow small businesses locally and throughout our region.” During the proclamation ceremony, Mayor Brown also shined a spotlight on a number of successful local minority-and-women-owned business leaders, including Rhonda Ricks, president and CEO of R+A+R Development, Allison DeHonney of Urban Fruits and Veggies, Davielle Jackson, owner of Femi Secrets, and Dolly Randle who owns CASNY. He also thanked partners who sponsored MWBE events this week, which included the following programs:
• MONDAY , SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 o More Legal: Getting Into the Nitty Gritty – presented by Ignite Buffalo @ The University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center (UBEOC), 555 Ellicott Street. 8:30AM -10:30AM o How to Respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP) – presented by ECMC, 462 Grider Street, from 6PM – 8PM
• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018 o Mayor Byron W. Brown hosts a special proclamation ceremony, declaring September 24-28, 2018 as MBE/WBE Week in the City of Buffalo. Office of the Mayor, Buffalo City Hall @ 11 am o Financial Management for Small Businesses - presented by Ignite Buffalo @ The University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center (UBEOC), 555 Ellicott Street. 8:30AM – 10:30AM
• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 o Webinar – presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration Buffalo District Office (SBA) – Event will be held on-line from 12-1
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 o Creating Opportunities for Small Businesses Conference @ SUNY Buffalo State, 8AM-12PM @ Burchfield Penny Art Center Additionally, Mayor Brown highlighted the accomplishments of the City’s MBE/WBE program since 2006 including:
• Improving conditions for minority and women owned business enterprises (MBE/WBE) and minorities and female workers by bolstering equity in City of Buffalo contracting and hiring opportunities as well as the formation of the City of Buffalo Contract Compliance Committee
• Employing a “First Source” hiring policy for public works contracts requiring contractors and subcontractors to make demonstrable efforts to meet or exceed the 25% residency hiring goals included in the City’s charter.
• Spearheading the opening of the Beverly Gray Business Exchange Center, a comprehensive one stop small business technical resource center developed to support Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (“MBE”), Women-Owned Business Enterprises (“WBE”), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (“SDVOB”), and small businesses in the City of Buffalo and WNY region
• Strengthening economic inclusion on public/private partnerships Since 2012, the City of Buffalo has experienced nearly $6.5 billion in economic development, which is expected to create over 12,000 new jobs, that has dramatically reshaped the city’s landscape.
Mayor Brown concluded, “We must continue to work together so that every resident of this City has the opportunity to benefit from Buffalo’s growth, this is one of the best ways to ensure Buffalo’s continued growth and success.”