Two women working at a desk

Enhancing Business Opportunities For Minority and Women-Owned Business

According to the U.S. Census data from 2016, Central New York is home to over 10,000 minority or women-owned businesses enterprises (MWBE), and yet less than 5% that are certified to contract through New York State.

When a business is certified to contract through New York State it opens the door to a network of opportunities and resources. According to the U.S. Census data from 2016, Central New York is home to over 10,000 minority or women-owned businesses enterprises (MWBE), and yet less than 5% that are certified to contract through New York State. This means that 95% of them are missing out on key resources, support, and opportunities.

In 2019, Jubilee Homes, an organization that commits to reducing crime by providing housing opportunities for low-income families, joined forces with Diversify-NY to change this. The collaboration began hosting monthly certification assistance workshops for business owners to learn how to apply for a New York State contract. Diversify-NY works to identify, create, and promote opportunities that support the advancement of MWBE.

“These workshops make economic sense not only because they will help retain and build local capacity, but also address under-utilization and waiver rates on state contracts,” said Walter Dixie, executive director of Jubilee Homes.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jubilee Homes and Diversify-NY were challenged to restructure and identify a strategic way to support MWBE during this challenging time.  Jubilee Homes was planning to open a new building on West Onondaga Street to provide more opportunities for the Diversify-NY MWBE workshops. A $10,000 grant from the Central New York Community Foundation supported those efforts. To maintain social distancing guidelines, they transition those workshops to a virtual platform.

“We were, fortunately, able to pivot and sustain by building an online curriculum hosted monthly via zoom and listed via Eventbrite,” said Rickey Brown, principal consultant for Diversify-NY. “We have continued hosting, and with internet access that has been rather seamless.”

The pandemic disrupted large plans for the Jubilee Homes and Diversify-NY. It interrupted Diversify-NY’s ability to hire new staff as well as halted its planned expansion into four counties. But even though they were thrown some unexpected challenges, Diversify-NY was able to create accessible resources that supported MWBE.

“Our major accomplishment through this all was building an online magazine that had allowed us to extend our reach including six continents within the first issue, said Brown. “By building this platform our MWBE’s have expanded their visibility, capacity in some cases through extended opportunities, and created even more space to attract procurement opportunities.”

Visit Diversify-NY’s online magazine (http://ow.ly/LyJ330qYkmX) and its emergency pandemic guide for MWBE’s (http://ow.ly/AzWH30qYkmz).

Related Stories

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

hand holding growing money
Stories March 7, 2023

SECURE 2.0 Introduces Legacy IRA and a Boost for QCDs

Hear from Jan Lane, CAP®, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, about the three key provisions affecting philanthropists ...

Students sitting around a table using laptops
Stories March 2, 2023

Junior Achievement Supports Students with Virtual Learning Program

Finding a career can feel like a heavy weight on youths’ shoulders and support may ...

Headshot of Rhoda Sikes along with a photo of Onondaga Lake
Blogs February 21, 2023

A Lifetime Commitment to the Community: Rhoda Sikes

Even well after her tenure ended at Heman Street Elementary School, Rhoda Sike's passion for ...

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

Two girls talking
News Releases January 30, 2023

More than $1 Million Distributed to Local Nonprofits

The Central New York Community Foundation recently distributed $974,280 in Community Grants and $159,000 in ...

Blogs December 7, 2022

Reflections: Bringing Residents to the Table

Qiana Williams, program officer, shows us how participatory budgeting is helping residents form solutions to ...

hand holding growing money
Publications December 6, 2022

Charitable Giving Using the New York Statutory Power of Attorney By Bill Davies

William Davies, Attorney at Davies Law Firm, P.C., explores how the New York Statutory Power ...

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

hand holding growing money
Stories March 7, 2023

SECURE 2.0 Introduces Legacy IRA and a Boost for QCDs

Hear from Jan Lane, CAP®, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, about the three key provisions affecting philanthropists ...

Students sitting around a table using laptops
Stories March 2, 2023

Junior Achievement Supports Students with Virtual Learning Program

Finding a career can feel like a heavy weight on youths’ shoulders and support may ...

Headshot of Rhoda Sikes along with a photo of Onondaga Lake
Blogs February 21, 2023

A Lifetime Commitment to the Community: Rhoda Sikes

Even well after her tenure ended at Heman Street Elementary School, Rhoda Sike's passion for ...

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

Two girls talking
News Releases January 30, 2023

More than $1 Million Distributed to Local Nonprofits

The Central New York Community Foundation recently distributed $974,280 in Community Grants and $159,000 in ...

Blogs December 7, 2022

Reflections: Bringing Residents to the Table

Qiana Williams, program officer, shows us how participatory budgeting is helping residents form solutions to ...

hand holding growing money
Publications December 6, 2022

Charitable Giving Using the New York Statutory Power of Attorney By Bill Davies

William Davies, Attorney at Davies Law Firm, P.C., explores how the New York Statutory Power ...

View More