The Council for Black Owned Business Enterprises (The Council) is a community of stakeholders who have taken on the shared responsibility to address the disparities experienced by Black Businesses in the New York State and New York City contracting systems. This Council is comprised of a community of influencers who have made a significant difference individually and know they can make an even bigger difference collectively to be Champions for Black Owned Business Enterprises.

The Inspire Enterprise's Black Business Owners Forum 2020 (BBOF2020) "Primed4Success" one day virtual event was created to ignite necessary change to help Tri-State Black Business Enterprises get contract ready for procurement opportunities.

The CU Grow Vendor Development Program provides a unique opportunity for business leaders to assess their organization's success and with the guidance of a coach, consider how they can develop a strategic growth plan to increase profitability. Scope of Project includes:Assisting in clarification of goals and strategyServing as a sounding board for ideasHelping improve critical thnking and decision making related to business strategyProviding access to additional resources and informationCoaching business leader with action steps to help inform growth plan

Interise Streetwise MBA is a living curriculum. It has evolved from a course first taught at Boston University in 2004 to a nationally recognized and award-winning business development tool. It is a capacity building program that provides business knowledge, management know-how, and the relationships businesses need to achieve scale thereby contributing to economic development, job creation, and social resilience of local communities. Scope of Project included:Introducing and bringing StreetWise MBA program to the borough of QueensFacilitating StreetWise MBA program for New York Economic Development Corp. (NYCEDC) for Brooklyn and Bronx cohortsInterviewing Minority Women Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) candidates for StreetWise MBA programPreparing, instructing, and facilitating curriculum sessionsCreating a learning environment that encouraged group discussionsAssisting the Program Manager in the selection of guest expertsProviding feedback in all participant Growth Plans

The purpose of the Local Business Census was to identify local businesses that can provide goods and services needed for the design, construction, and operations of the JFK Redeveopment Program. In addition to helping to engage as many local business as possible, the census will lead to more jobs and dollars being circulated in the local economy. Scope of Project included:Attending local events to share information about Local Business Census to Minority Women Business EnterprisesIdentify and engage with local stakeholders to assist in the dissemination of information about Local Business Census to business communityCurate information about business and workforce development technical assistance and supportive services

New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) was leading the effort to address the deteriorating conditions of the bridges, roadways, and ancillary structures associated with Brooklyn's only interstate highway. The project aimed to maintain safe and efficient regional and local connectivity for the traveling public and to provide for the movement of goods and services along this important regional and local roadway. Scope of project included:Planning event details for Community Meetings and Public MeetingsAssisting in the preparation of internal and external participants for community meeting, distributing project information to participants, creating reports to capture event discussions, participant recommendations, and next stepsCommunicating with key community stakeholders. Summarizing and sharing interview findings with NYCDOT.Developing key messaging via interviews and surveys that were conducted with community stakeholders. Reporting on project goals, new strategies, and "lessons learned" from experts with NYCDOT and Expert Panel.

Non-franchise small businesses from across the five boroughs applied to receive up to $90,000 in grant awards from a pool of $1.8 million in grant funding provided by the Department of Small Business Services (SBS.) Selected businesses used grant awards to cover the costs of projects recommended following in-depth business consultations delivered by industry experts.Scope of Project included:Completing the initial assessment properly to assist SBS in identifying final 20 grantees to complete 18-20 Hours of consultationLiaising with assigned business applicants on scheduling meetings and answering questionsEnsuring grantees understand the requirements report Checking in on a weekly basis to report back on initial assessment process, and progress in completing initial assessment.

Director of Small Business Development Center requested assistance in developing a Minority Business Enterprise (MWBE) implementation program to support economic development activities occurring in the Southeastern Queens community. Scope of Project included:Developing and implementing a Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) capacity building program that assisted businesses with M/WBE certification, access to capital, and training for infrastructure and private development projects. Being a liaison between business owners in community and SBDC to understand key challenges to growing their businesses. Facilitating M/WBE committee meetings on a bi-weekly basis to generate ideas and feedback from local small businesses regarding needed services. Planning events to provide information regarding JFK Redevelopment and LaGuardia Redevelopment infrastructure Projects to M/WBEs in Southeast Queens

School of Construction Authority sought to increase, facilitate, and encourage participation of Minority, Women, and Locally Based Enterprise businesses by providing a framework for eligible firms to develop, grow, and establish a long term business relationship. Scope of project included:Participating in the creation of framework for the Advanced Mentor Training Program; a year long program to provide capacity building for up to eight Minority Women Business Enterprises (M/WBEs)Developing curriculum and instructing contractors for two of six modules; Organizational Development and Leadership Development.