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Connecting Minority and Women-Owned Businesses with Nassau County

On Friday, an inspiring event took place as hundreds of minority and women small business owners gathered to forge connections and align their ventures with Nassau County agencies. This initiative is part of the county’s concerted effort to enhance diversity in the awarding of contracts, signifying a vital step toward equitable opportunities for all entrepreneurs.

A Showcase for Networking and Resources

Hosted by Nassau County’s Office of Minority Affairs, the event featured a showcase for Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) at the Yes We Can Center in Westbury. This gathering served as a pivotal platform for business owners to network with one another and to connect with resources available through Nassau County agencies and the Town of North Hempstead.

Nassau County Minority Affairs Director Lionel Chitty emphasized the significance of this event, stating, "The importance of this event is to let our minority and women-owned small businesses know that Nassau County is open for business." The overarching goal is to facilitate these businesses’ connections with county procurement and other departments overseeing combined annual purchases exceeding one billion dollars.

Goals for Inclusion in Contract Awards

In an ambitious move toward equity, Nassau County aims to award no less than 15% of its contracts to minority and women-owned businesses. Additionally, the county has set a target to allocate at least 2% of its contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, as highlighted by Chitty.

A disparity study conducted in Suffolk County revealed alarming statistics about contract allocations between 2015 and 2019, indicating that the overwhelming majority of vendor contracts were awarded to companies headed by white men, including a staggering 95% of the total budget for professional service contracts. Following this revelation, Suffolk County officials have set their own target of 16% for MWBE contract awards, noting that, on a statewide level, the target of 30% for MWBE businesses has already been surpassed.

In light of these findings, Nassau County is looking closely at Suffolk’s disparity study to establish benchmarks for diversification within its procurement processes. Chitty pointed out, "We’re doing the work that needs to be done and to repair some of the errors in the past so that we can level the playing field." He further stressed that these businesses are not seeking handouts but rather the opportunity to thrive and compete fairly.

Entrepreneurs Seizing Opportunities

Among the attendees was Vicki Sylvain, 49, from Westbury, who sought to create connections for her company, VSS Group, which specializes in professional support for individuals returning to the workforce or transitioning jobs. She remarked, "This allows small businesses to level the playing field and connect with the county and cities they wouldn’t have access to. Everyone has a dream of starting a business. This helps you understand how to ensure a business thrives and secure space in the business community."

Another entrepreneur present was Monifa Clarke, 26, who operates an online startup named Plugsity based in Elmont. Clarke expressed her eagerness to network at the expo, stating that it provides a unique opportunity for various small businesses to showcase their offerings. "Businesses can be very fragmented online, and this is a place to shop and share for different small businesses," she noted. Clarke acknowledged that women of color often remain underrepresented in the business sector, and such events shed light on their contributions and initiatives.

The Economic Impact of Small Businesses

Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips recognized the vital role that small businesses play in the county’s economy, which boasts a budget of $4.4 billion. "What makes Nassau County tick is the 45,000 small businesses of 50 employees or less," Phillips explained. She further pointed out, "In the county’s budget, 45% of revenue is driven from sales tax. The more sales tax we bring in for Nassau County, the less likely the county is to raise property taxes."

Attorney and author Shanell Parrish-Brown, 52, from West Hempstead, was at the event promoting her series of children’s books and a novel aimed at helping victims of trauma. As the president of the Safe Center Long Island, Parrish-Brown has successfully distributed her books to 2,000 students in New York City schools and is now seeking expansion opportunities on Long Island. "This provides a space to come together and collaborate because we don’t always have a place to network, and it’s truly exciting to be in the room," she remarked.

Leveraging AI legalese decoder for Empowerment

In navigating the complexities of business contracts and compliance, minority and women entrepreneurs can benefit greatly from utilizing tools like the AI legalese decoder. This innovative platform assists business owners in comprehending legal jargon and contract intricacies, ensuring they fully understand the terms and conditions they are entering. By demystifying legal language, the AI legalese decoder empowers entrepreneurs to make informed decisions, negotiate effectively, and ultimately secure their place within the market.

By connecting minority and women entrepreneurs with vital resources and the means to better understand the legal landscape, Nassau County is cultivating an inclusive business community where all entrepreneurs can thrive.

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