September/October 2009

I can't believe it! 25 years and still standing! No, we're not talking about me. I am long past age 25. Everybody knows that. So, what do I want to tell our readers about the 25-year history of MBE magazine? Everything we've written, all over again. Obviously that's not possible. So let's begin at the beginning, in 1984. Some of this you may have heard before...but then, maybe not.

After losing a job in November, 1983, I considered going back to college to get a master's degree. But with a bachelor's in theatre and English, I wasn't qualified to get into business school. Next step. What did I know how to do? My experience was limited to the stage and to publishing. And I knew how to do research. There were no other magazines about supplier diversity (then primarily compliance-driven contracts which had government mandates or goals) at that time. After establishing myself as a sole-proprietor in May, 1984, we put out the first issue - September/October 1984.

Then began a series of events that those of you who are entrepreneurs will understand. It takes money (sales) to keep the business going. But I want to talk about the things that keep us going.

Our first cover story was about Comer Cottrell, president of Pro-Line Corporation. Upon receiving a copy of the magazine, he wrote a personal note about how difficult it is to start a business and said he knew I could probably use some help. He enclosed a check for $500.00. I had never met the man.

There was the time I attended a trade fair in Washington, D.C., during the Congressional Black Caucus. As I approached a corporate "suit" behind the table in an exhibit booth, he looked at me and said, "Why are you, a white woman...hmm...what color are you?" Did he think that white people didn't really care? Many didn't, but I did.

Meeting Parren Mitchell, the Congressman from Maryland, was a highlight. For those of you who may not know, he authored and fought for legislation that opened up opportunities for minority-owned businesses in federally funded projects.

Years later I stood on the steps of the Supreme Court, speaking at a rally organized by Congressman Mitchell, the day before the Court heard arguments on Adarand Constructors, Inc. v Peña. We even made the network news! And when we celebrated our 10^th Anniversary in Washington, D.C., the retired congressman came to our party. I couldn't have been more delighted.

There are the hospitality suites we've hosted at the NMSDC conference year after year (an outgrowth of that D.C. event). Each one was a team effort. With some corporate support, and all of us (employees and family) standing in as bartenders, we got busted by the union in Chicago. As I negotiated the corkage fees with the hotel, a business owner whom I had never met, whipped out his checkbook and contributed to the cause. When my wallet was stolen at an event (also in Chicago), three women business owners stepped up and handed me cash - all of whom I did not know.

But it's not all about receiving. Giving is equally important. Sometime in the early 1990s, I was invited to join the board of the Minority Business Development Group of the National Association of Purchasing Management. The organization names have changed, but I'm still on that board. And for three years I was honored to be a member of the Minority Business Resource Advisory Committee at NASA. That's when I really began to understand how government contracting works.

I was fortunate to be involved in the early days of developing an organization for the certification of women business owners. When WBENC asked me to serve on their board of directors as a subject-matter expert, how could I say no?

So here we are, with tears in our eyes, remembering all the sweet moments (and there were many) and hoping we'll see you at our 25^th Anniversary Celebration in New Orleans (see page 5 in this issue for details). Not bad for a girl from Oklahoma, the first in her family to go to college - actually, the first to finish high school as well.

See you at the party.