MBE & WBE Certification Workshop

Join today's session at 4pm with the below link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lc--vrT0uG9Grq2I1MjjU1WmKZbxhrdge

MBE & WBE Certification Workshop
Minority Business Enterprise & Women Business Enterprise

Puzzled by the process of applying for M/WBE certification? Wondering what you need to qualify? Don’t know where to start? Join the Small Firm Roundtable Committee for a panel discussion with experts from Houston agencies to answer these questions.

Many public and private organizations have M/WBE contract goals, making this a great opportunity for firms that are majority Minority and/or Women owned. The certifications provided by Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC), Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA), and the City of Houston are a great initial step in being awarded contracts with MWBE goals. Join us to see how you can get your firm certified and get questions answered about the process.

AIA Credit: 2.0 LU

Speakers:

Selina Gonzalez, Certification Specialist, The Houston Minority Supplier Development Council
HMSDC provides the only nationally-recognized Ethnic Minority Business Certification in the Houston Region. Certification offers minority suppliers the opportunity to connect face-to-face with many of America’s largest publicly-owned, privately-owned, and foreign-owned companies, as well as universities, hospitals, and other buying institutions. Leveraging our 45 years as an industry expert in Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) enrichment, development, and impact, HMSDC offers certified minority suppliers support from technical trainings to exclusive buyer forums and corporate procurement events. Come work alongside Selina Gonzalez, Certification Specialist and see how HMSDC can benefit you.

Shirley Brooks – Director WBEA - Women’s Business Center and The Small Business Administration: Financial Services Champion for Small Business
Shirley is Director of the WBEA - Women’s Business Centers, (WBC), where “We develop women to level up statues.”  WBC Program is funded in part by host agency, Women Business Enterprise Alliance, a Non-Profit 501 C-3, and a partner organization for one of the most widely recognized and respected certification programs, in the United States for women business enterprises, and in part by the United States Small Business Administration through a Cooperative Agreement.    
Shirley with over 25 years has assisted over 6000 women entrepreneurs during her tenure at the Center – fueling her passion by being intentional when counseling women about turning their dreams and purpose into business models that can scale to their expectations.

Lewis Butler III – City of Houston - Senior Business Development Coordinator
Lewis Butler III is a Senior Business Development Coordinator with the Office of Business Opportunity for the City of Houston. He works daily in assisting minorities and disadvantaged individuals with the certification process, updates, and interviewing applicants. Lewis’s background includes 8 years of Records Management work with the Department of Homeland Security, 5 years working in the credit card industry, and currently 1 year and 9 months with the City of Houston. He has a Bachelors’ Degree in Business Management from Stephen F. Austin State University with a minor in Marketing.