WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2015 – National Congress of Black Women Inc. (NCBW) president and CEO Dr. E. Faye Williams has announced a new initiative dedicated to ensuring that women are included in the Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) conversation. In addition, the initiative demands that applicable agencies enforce existing procurement laws to ensure a level playing field for small businesses in the District of Columbia.
According to Williams, “Ensuring that socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners are included in procurement and contracting opportunities is as much a priority for women as it is for everyone else.
“Women own 10.6 million businesses in the United States,” she further noted, “employing nearly 7.9 million workers and generating over $1.4 trillion in revenues.
“The District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia are three of the top 10 fastest growing states in number, employment and revenues of women-owned firms since 1997,” she continued. “Yet, African-American and Latino business owners, male and females alike, appear to be disproportionately excluded or waived out of procurement contracts in direct violation of laws I helped the late Mayor Marion Barry enact while serving as his Chief of Staff.”
The CBE Coalition is a membership-based advocacy program designed to provide local, small and disadvantaged business enterprises (LSDBEs) with equal access to economic and procurement opportunities by advocating for them. The aim is to ensure the business climate is conducive as well as safeguarding the long-term competitiveness and retention of LSDBE businesses while ensuring that the voices of women and small business are heard.
The new initiative will be officially announced during NCNW’s 31st Annual Award Brunch Sunday. The event will take place at the Marriott-Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. For tickets and additional information, call (202). 678-6788 or visit NCBW’s website.
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