CONNECTIONS | MARCH 2024

From the Director | Recognizing Women in Manufacturing

This month we celebrate Women's History Month, highlighting a number of women in manufacturing as well as organizations like ours that support women in the industry. One example is Women in Manufacturing Chapters throughout the country. I encourage you to support the trailblazing women and their organizations featured in this issue's Client Spotlight below.

I want to take a moment to thank the staff and clients who participated in our first CIAA Fan Fest showcasing their products through MiHUB and MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center collaboration.

We continue our "Meet Our Team" series with a feature on Business Consultant LaToya Staten, who many of you may have met at outreach events here in Maryland and beyond.

In this edition we also post my interview with John G. Daniel of the National Minority Supplier Development Council. I want to thank John for giving me an opportunity to share my thoughts on topics concerning minority business development.

In recent days you may have read or heard stories concerning legal challenges at MBDA. I want to assure you we remain open for business. Our staff will continue to provide services to our clients.

N. Scott Phillips

Director

Mid-Atlantic Region MBDA

Advanced Manufacturing Center - Baltimore

Meet Our Team

LaToya Staten | Business Consultant

LaToya C. Staten serves as Business Consultant for the Baltimore MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center, where she provides consulting support to clients through assistance with needs assessment and connections to opportunities in the manufacturing industry. As a strategic consultant and ecosystem builder, she provides critical linkage for the Center Team to organizations supporting under-represented populations in advanced manufacturing.

LaToya is a community and ecosystem engagement strategist and leads several initiatives focused on advancing public-private economic and workforce development opportunities. Joining the Center this past year, she has been instrumental in initiatives to help clients to scale; with opportunity briefings for existing clients, including women in manufacturing; and with new client and customer outreach.

Center Team & Clients Represent

@ Advocacy, Sales & Networking Events

Center Outreach

Baltimore MBDA AMC Director N. Scott Phillips was guest on the National Minority Supplier Development Council's (NMSDC's) Equity in Business podcast recently, where he urged "...MBEs to 'not get discouraged' and to keep heart. There are many organizations out there to help MBEs grow and thrive including among others, NMSDC and MBDA."

Pictured, left to right, podcast host John G. Daniel and Phillips.

Listen to Podcast

Did you know that the Mid-Atlantic Region MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center team hosts and participates in more than 100 subject matter expert events and meetings on behalf of clients and customers annually? Team members' attendance, speaking engagements, and booth activities span advocacy, training, outreach, networking, and professional development in a broad range of disciplines.

From Financing, Global & Domestic Marketing, Government & Commercial Contracting To Minority Business Development, Strategic Consulting & Industry Specific Training!

Further, the Center opens doors for client participation at discounted or no cost in a number of events, specialized training, and networking sessions hosted by partnering organizations and others, including the CIAA 2024 Fan Fest, featured below. Direct outreach by email, texts, and phone calls to clients and customers highlight opportunities that may not be featured in newsletter stories and Interlink listings or on our website Events page. Contact us to learn how you can become a part of our outreach network.

CIAA 2024 Fan Fest Booth Showcased

Center Clients' Minority Made To Wear Products

Center clients, DifferentRegard represented by Dominick Davis and Made in BMore Clothing represented by Rasheed Aziz, took center stage at the CIAA 2024 Fan Fest held at the Baltimore Convention Center on March 1 & 2, 2024. In collaboration with MiHUB and AMC, our clients assumed control of a vibrant booth on both days, presenting a phenomenal opportunity to exhibit and sell their products to a diverse audience.

This event provided a splendid occasion to foster connections, celebrate achievements, and delve into the exceptional offerings from our talented clients. Additionally, several members of the MBDA AMC team attended the fest to offer support to our clients.

The collaboration between MiHUB, AMC, and our esteemed clients truly made an impact, showcasing the vibrancy and diversity within our community.

The DifferentRegard team led by Dominick Davis at the CIAA Fan Fest lined up with products to be sold as well as networked with the thousands of attendees on Day One of the event

The Made in Bmore Clothing team led by Rasheed Aziz at the CIAA Fan Fest with their products lined up to be sold as well as network with the thousands of attendees on Day Two of the event

Pictured left, N. Scott Phillips, Center Director, drops in on Day Two of the event to support the team and clients.

Our MBDA AMC Project Administrator Uchenna Udeh could not resist purchasing some items herself! Rocking the DifferentRegard face cap and Made in Bmore Clothing sweat shirt.

Women in Manufacturing & More!

WiM Chapters Around the Country

"Women in Manufacturing (WiM) has a growing network of 33 local and statewide chapters across the United States.

"WiM chapters provide members with opportunities to network, learn and connect and chapters fulfill WiM's mission to support, promote and inspire women in manufacturing on the local level."

About WiM | Events In Your Area

"On each episode of Hear Her Story, we sit down with incredible women from different roles and niche industries within manufacturing."

Podcasts

NAM Blogs on Women in Manufacturing

Find approaches, applications, and solutions in these National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) blogs!

A Supply Chain Leader Supports Other Women in Manufacturing
How Mentorships Help Women Advance in Manufacturing
STEP Ahead Honors Women in Manufacturing
Women MAKE Awards Showcase Manufacturing Excellence

Manufacturing Innovation Hub | MiHUB

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.

Client Spotlight

March heralds the celebration of Women's History Month, and here at the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Advanced Manufacturing Center Baltimore, we are elated to cast a spotlight on some of the exceptional women shaping the manufacturing landscape.

This month, our client spotlight is dedicated to the inspiring women in manufacturing who have left a lasting imprint on the industry. Each of these businesses embodies uniqueness, innovation, and impactful contributions to the advanced manufacturing sector.

Embark on a journey of exploration by clicking on the logos below, delving into the stories, achievements, and passion that propel these remarkable businesses forward. In the spirit of Women's History Month, let's collectively acknowledge and support these trailblazers who are making an indelible mark on the manufacturing industry.

Your participation in honoring the strength, resilience, and ingenuity of these incredible women is deeply appreciated.