A Message from the President
“THE CHALLENGE FOR CHANGE”
CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE the bellwether word of the day.
Obama says, “This is the time for change,” McCain
says, “He has what it takes for change,” and Senator
Malcolm Smith in 2007 asked the MWBE communities, “Are you
ready for change?”
I as president of a 32-year-old trade association place change
on two fronts, “leadership” and “personal responsibility”.
Webster says, “Leadership is to tend toward a definite result
in the forefront.” More then 90 percent of the MWBE leadership
is tried and true but are we ready and equip for change? I am not
referencing to technology communication but shared innovation, leading
to creation of business opportunities and economic empowerment in
our respective communities. Is there coordinated interaction with
local political officials? Is there communication and sharing of
purpose with community leaders, community boards, job training placement,
organizations and housing programs? In addition, the time is now
to sit down with the unions and corporate America and level the
playing field. This type of change is what will help America grow
and create vibrant inner city communities.
“Personal responsibility can be defined as the quality or
state of being responsible”.
However, I am talking to MWBE’s to meet the change of seeing
themselves as viable community resources both receiving and giving
to the enrichment of their respective communities. In a depress
market that features public work, our relationship with our communities
is critical, and it should be to the overall development of this
city. Communities in Southeast Queens and Harlem have voted for
“Right of First Refusal” for all public development
in their communities. This should create significant contracts and
employment opportunities in the minority communities. Thus, is the
MWBE community ready to embrace this type of change? The issue is
before us; it will be a defining business and political reality.
I submit that this change is here, “How is it to be embraced?”
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