This month we've celebrated Black History Month and the ingenuity and creativity of African Americans, from street lights (Garrett Morgan) to NasaClip (Liz Clayborne) to Juxtopia and Augmented Reality (Jayfus Doswell). African Americans have and continue to create solutions to challenges big and small.

Eric Morrissette

N. Scott Phillips

We welcome the new leader of the Minority Business Development Agency, Eric Morrissette, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, who assumed responsibility for non-exclusive functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development in January. Throughout his career, Mr. Morrissette has worked tirelessly for equity, transparency, and positive change.

This issue features special recognition of the remarkable achievement of design and fabrication firm, Marta Ali Studios (Marta Ali).This week we are also highlighting a few of our clients and their products during 2024 CIAA Fan Fest. While the CIAA is a collegiate basketball tournament, it is much more. The Baltimore tournament attracts tens of thousands of fans annually. Fan Fest will provide an opportunity to market our clients in the consumer goods to reach a broad audience, this year showcasing apparel manufacturers and retailers DifferentRegard and Made in Bmore Clothing .

As we close out February we will begin Women’s History Month in March. Look for highlights and events to celebrate the innovation and ingenuity of women in manufacturing. We are also a program partner on "State Funding for Maryland Manufacturers' Workforce Training Webinar" being hosted by RMI and MD MEP tomorrow, from 9 to 10 a.m. Finally our newsletter highlights a few of our February events, to include MBE Night in Annapolis, and introduces the new members of our Advisory Board.

We are busy as we work to grow the minority manufacturing ecosystem.

N. Scott Phillips



Director

Mid-Atlantic Region MBDA

Advanced Manufacturing Center - Baltimore

The Mid-Atlantic Region Minority Business Development Agency Advanced Manufacturing Center - Baltimore welcomed three new members to its Advisory Board at the Center's first quarter meeting this month.

Y. Maria Martinez, Special Secretary of the Maryland Governor's Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, is at the helm of the State office overseeing Maryland's socioeconomic business procurement programs.

About GOSBA

Benjamin A. McGlaughlin, Manufacturing Program Manager, Maryland Department of Commerce, is a member of the agency's Office of Strategic Industries and Entrepreneurship (OSIE) Team.

About MDOC

Jamyla Bennu, Founder of Oyin Handmade, a hair and skin care product manufacturer with a new plant and office facility in Baltimore, Maryland, is one of two Center clients on the Advisory Board.

About Oyin

The Mid-Atlantic Region Minority Business Development Agency Advanced Manufacturing Center team enjoyed a robust evening of advocacy, networking, and professional development February 22, 2024, as participants in MBE Night in Annapolis.

"Since its inception, MBE Night in Annapolis has served as an integral advocacy partner in supporting the Legislative Black Caucus, fostering collaboration to dismantle systemic barriers and amplify businesses while addressing historical disparities to cultivate a more inclusive and equitable Maryland."

Read more.

Pictured, Top to Bottom

Special greetings and remarks by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Black Caucus of Maryland Chair Jheanelle Wilkins, Maryland State Treasurer Dereck Davis, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson, and MBE Night in Annapolis Founder Herman Taylor

HBCU Presidents on Black Economic Mobility Panel Moderator and Center Director N. Scott Phillips, University of Maryland Eastern Shore President Dr. Heidi Anderson, Coppin State University President Dr Anthony Jenkins, Morgan State University President Dr. David Wilson, and Bowie State University President Dr Aminta Breaux.

N Scott Phillips visits Center table

Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy and Development Program Coordinator Reginald Mack, Center Project Manager Intern Cameron Davis, and Center Business Consultant LaToya Statan at Center table

The Baltimore MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center is a Program Partner for this timely webinar, "State Funding for Maryland Manufacturers' Workforce Training," hosted by the Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland and the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Exciting News from the

Baltimore Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) and MiHUB!

We are thrilled to announce our participation in the upcoming CIAA Fan Fest at the Baltimore Convention Center on March 1 & 2, 2024. Through a dynamic partnership, the MiHUB and AMC have secured a small but vibrant booth, providing an incredible opportunity for our clients to showcase and sell their products to a diverse audience.

We invite you to join us at Booth #1682 to support the Baltimore AMC and MiHUB teams and Center clients' sales, showcasing incredible products including apparel by manufacturers and retailers:

Different Regard Represented by Dominick Davis

Made in Baltimore Represented by Rasheed Aziz

Fri., March 1, 10am-8pm

Sat., March 2, 10am-8pm

This collaboration allows our clients to shine, presenting their offerings to a fantastic mix of CIAA alumni, HBCU alumni, and fans. The stage is set for an exhilarating basketball experience and more.

The two-day FREE Fan Fest goes beyond the courts, offering a dynamic platform for music, merchandise, food, dance, and socializing. Attendees can look forward to band competitions, cheer competitions, step shows, concerts, and vendors creating an electrifying atmosphere for all ages and backgrounds.

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to connect, celebrate, and explore the exceptional offerings from our talented clients. See you at the CIAA Fan Fest!

In addition to office space, the Event Center, the Women in Manufacturing Virginia Conference Room, and the Manufacturing Skills Institute Training Lab, the facility houses the Virginia Craft Beer Lounge for events as well as daily workstation rentals.

These unique spaces are ideal for banquets, small conferences, board meetings, training, receptions, and on demand office space. Guests have access to Wi-Fi throughout the property and free onsite parking. Catering options for all spaces are available upon request. The Association's new facilities are located at 2112 W. Laburnum Avenue, Suite 204, Richmond, Virginia 23227.

Details & Booking Information



This multi-use space can support 125 attendees for a wide range of events such as for meetings, receptions, networking, workshops, trainings, and more. The center includes its own catering, general session, and breakout meeting areas that provide a turn-key experience for users.



The WiM Virginia Conference Room can accommodate smaller meetings with ability to broadcast virtually using your laptop, a 70” wall mounted TV, and wireless/ wired HDMI transmitter and receiver

capability. 

The MSI Training Lab supports 32 trainees with benchtop equipment, virtual reality systems, and augmented reality systems. The facility also supports MSI's Registered Apprenticeship, Industry Credential and Certifications, Safety, and national "train-the-trainer" programs for growing workforce solutions.

The Manufacturing Innovation Hub Cooperative (MiHUB) is an outgrowth of the Minority Business Development Administration (MBDA) Advanced Manufacturing Center – Baltimore’s support to minority manufacturers and collaborates routinely with the Center's team on client services and opportunities. The MiHUB Board and ongoing consultants comprise the organization's core team.

The Manufacturing Innovation Hub Cooperative is a member owned and operated entity committed to supporting the shared growth and development of minority manufactures and their communities. Our facility is located in Baltimore at 1100 Wicomico Street. We are co-located with our strategic partner Harbor Design. We provide shared services to include product design, marketing, financing, and administrative support. The self-sustaining co-op leverages member and stakeholder investments to develop systems and infrastructure to support core operations.

MiHUB is a member owned and operated entity committed to supporting the shared growth and development of minority manufactures and their communities. Our facility is located in Baltimore at 1100 Wicomico Street. We are co-located with our strategic partner Harbor Design. We provide shared services to include product design, marketing, financing, and administrative support. The self-sustaining co-op leverages member and stakeholder investments to develop systems and infrastructure to support core operations.

Read More | MiHUB is accepting applications for membership. For information, contact Mark Lawrence.

Marta Ali Studios

State Funding for MD Manufacturers' Workforce Training Webinar | RMI & MD MEP | March 1 | Webinar | Register Now

Building Sustainable Power Webinar | MD MEP in Partnership with Wunderlich-Malec | March 6, 2024 | Register Now

Plant Tour: Recycling Management Resources (RMR) | VMA | March 18, 2024 | Henrico, VA | RSVP

NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange 2024 Atlanta, Georgia, October 20-23, 2024 | Read More

TechTrends 2024 | SMART | April 3-4, 2025 | Atlantic City, NJ | Drive for Data Across America | Spring 2025 | Read More