Solidarity.
This month marks the celebration of contributions that the Asian-American Pacific Islander community has made in this country. Our feature podcast with Ambassador Tom Fong provides history and his perspective as we all try to come to grips with the continuing rise in Asian-American hate crimes.
These moments give us pause and time to reflect on the many challenges that communities of color disproportionately continue to face in the backdrop of a historic pandemic. At the forefront of our prevailing issues I know that our minority businesses are looking for resources to keep their doors open, solutions to keep their businesses thriving and ways to keep their communities safe.
As we look ahead, I am reminded that through challenges there will continue to be opportunities for us to connect and walk in solidarity for the common good. Join us on May 31st as we celebrate and support the National Day of Solidarity Against Hate rally with our Asian-American Pacific Islander community.
As always, thank you for supporting our mission to connect, develop, certify and advocate for minority business. We take pride in the work that we do every day and will continue to bring you current, relevant and actionable information every month.
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May is AAPI Heritage Month |
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In this episode, Ambassador Tom Fong addresses the rise in Asian-American hate crimes that have been impacting this community over recent months since the onset of the pandemic.
Also, learn how we find commonality to build better bonds across communities of color and how to Stand in Solidarity against hate during AAPI Heritage Month.
The National Day of Solidarity Against Hate Rally is May 31, 2021
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What’s to Come Under the Biden Administration |
Major government contracting trends that defined 2020, such as cybersecurity and domestic preference initiatives, are likely to continue into 2021. In addition, contractors can expect to see a swath of changes related to the Biden administration’s key priorities:
- developing resilient and environmentally friendly infrastructure;
- implementing a rapid and efficient pandemic response;
- strengthening the supply chain for critical medical supplies and for American businesses; and
- spurring enforcement actions and white collar investigations.
In this article, learn more about what’s to come under the Biden Administration as it relates to infrastructure, green buying, supply chain resiliency, cybersecurity, enforcement and compliance. Click here to read the full article
In conclusion, contractors should note that while the Biden administration’s platform is certainly ambitious, it is unlikely that every initiative will be implemented or achieved, much less in the next year. Regardless, as with recent administrations, we expect the Biden administration to rely on the liberal use of executive order authority to implement certain policy objectives. President Biden signed 17 executive orders on his first day in office and is expected to sign more in the coming days.
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While the pandemic is still front and center for our country our network of corporate members remain committed and engaged with us as we continue to deliver against our mission. Our corporate members are all vital to our ecosystem and success by helping us advance our mission of diversifying supply chains, driving innovation and economic development across this region.
As we enter into a new season and a new normal we are delighted to welcome nine new corporate members listed below to our CRMSDC family.
We are excited about their commitment to supplier diversity, equity and inclusion and we look forward to their engagement with the council. To learn more about their organizations click on their respective links below.
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Baltimore, Maryland
Insurance
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Washington, DC
Higher Education
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Baltimore, Maryland
Higher Education
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Herndon, Virginia
E-Learning
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Linthicum, Maryland
Hospital and Healthcare
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Baltimore, Maryland
Sporting Goods
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The Untold Stories of MBEs during COVID-19
Part I – 21st Century Expo Group
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Thursday, May 27 at 11:00 am |
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Ray, Leslie & Iman McFarland own & operate 21st Century Expo Group, a premier expo and tradeshow company located in Prince George’s County. In this episode, the McFarland’s reveal their Untold Story as they share some of the challenges they’ve faced, how they’ve coped and what they’ve done to transform their business during this pandemic. |
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The Untold Stories of MBEs during COVID-19
Part II – The McConnell Group
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Thursday, May 27 at 2:00 pm |
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Dr. Irving McConnell, owner of The McConnell Group and one of our MBEs, discusses how his organization is coping during this pandemic and how they’ve had to pivot. This is a continuation of our special series showcasing MBE’s and their “Untold Stories.” |
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PitchMania LIVE was a Great Success |
Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to PitchMania 2021. We are so appreciative of the support corporate partners provide to the MBEIC and our businesses throughout the DMV. It is events like these that enable our businesses to learn, grow and thrive.
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Start-Up Immersion Program |
Retail Business Services Partners with Other Ahold Delhaize USA Companies, Venture Café Cambridge to Launch Third Annual Start-Up Immersion Program. “SEED Immersion: Your Express Lane to Grocery” provides training and mentorship to help start-ups succeed in grocery.
Applications Close May 31, 2021
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Payroll Protection Program application deadline May 31, 2021 |
Have you applied for the Payroll Protection Program? The SBA is currently offering loans originated only by participating community financial institutions including Certified Development Companies (CDCs), SBA Microlenders, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs).
May 31, 2021 is the last day to apply.
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Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) |
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants. The loan does not have to be repaid as long as funds are used on eligible expenditures by March 11, 2023. |
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Tuck Diversity Business Programs and National Minority Supplier Development Council Partner to Help Diverse Business Owners |
NMSDC will award numerous scholarships to MBEs to attend one of Tuck’s signature Diversity Business Programs, Building a Successful Diverse Business or Growing an Established Diverse Business. |
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Target pledges to spend $2B on products, services from Black-owned businesses |
As part of its racial equity efforts, Target Corp. is pledging to sell products from more than 500 Black-owned brands by the end of 2025.
That goal is part of a new $2 billion commitment made by the Minneapolis-based retailer. The company did not provide specifics on how much it currently spends with these companies, but said the commitment represents a significant increase.
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Sharon R. Pinder Testifies in front of US House of Representatives |
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More MBEs will share their Untold Stories during COVID-19. Stay tuned for… |
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The Business Consortium
is Open for Business!
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CRMSDC
MBDA Business Center
MBDA Federal Procurement Center
CRMSDC CARES Act
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Use our newsletter to market.
What products/services have you provided during this pandemic? OR, do you have products/services you’d like us to share? Email covid19@crmsdc.org or call 301.593.5860.
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