By Patrick Donachie
Queens residents interested in opportunities for Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises can attend a forum at the Queens Central Library this Tuesday to learn more.
The Black Institute, along with the New York City Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, is sponsoring the forum at the library at 89-11 Merrick Blvd. in Jamaica Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. At the forum, attendees can learn more about how entrepreneurs can access credit and capital to strengthen their businesses.
A similar town hall was held in the Bronx last week.
The forums follow an announcement by Mayor Bill de Blasio Sept. 28 that the city intends to award at least 30 percent of the dollar amount of its contracts to M/WBEs by 2021, including contracts to mayoral agencies and certain non-mayoral agencies.
Additionally, de Blasio announced that Richard Buery, the deputy mayor for strategic policy initiatives, would be the new director of New York City’s M/WBE program. He also announced the creation of the Mayor’s Office of M/WBEs, which will help to coordinate the work of city agencies that award contracts and run M/WBE programs.
“As a city, we are committed to ensuring that all people – regardless of race, gender or ethnicity – have the means to succeed in our economy,” de Blasio said. “It is a fact that when minority- and women-owned businesses have the opportunity to participate in our economy, communities across New York City and the city as whole thrive.”
Reach reporter Patrick Donachie by e-mail at pdona
