Minority Business and Corporate America: 

SRMBC and MBOC Creating Partnerships

According to figures from the latest Census, Latinos make up 13.4 percent of the American population, African Americans 12.7 percent, Asian Americans 4.2 percent, and Native Americans 1.5 percent. Melvin Gravely, author of the best-selling book, “When Black and White Make Green: The Next Evolution of Race”, states “…a person over the age of 70 has a 20 percent chance of being a person of color. Yet a child under the age of 10 has a 75 percent chance.”  In 2004, the largest companies in the United States purchased more than $80 billion worth of goods and services from minority business enterprises. $80 billion may sound vast to many, yet only represents a meager 3 to 4 percent of total corporate purchases in that year.

Working with corporate sponsors and certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) to improve these alarming statistics is the primary goal of the South Regions Minority Business Council (SRMBC) and its new addition, the Alabama Minority Business Opportunity Center (MBOC).  Scott Vowels, current SRMBC President states, “as Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American businesses continue to grow in number and size both in Alabama and across the United States, minority supplier inclusion in the procurement process will soon no longer be a ‘nice to have’, but a ‘have to have’.”

Council Beginnings

The SRMBC was chartered in 1983 to assist corporations, universities and government agencies to develop business opportunities with certified minority business enterprises.  The SRMBC, an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), is one of 39 regional minority purchasing councils across the country and represents 15,000 certified minority businesses. The NMSDC and its affiliates also refers MBEs to thousands of major corporations looking to increase minority spend in purchases of goods and services. Although the council is headquartered in Birmingham, the SRMBC’s territory consists of Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

SRMBC and the MBOC

In April of 2006, Scott Vowels and the SRMBC were awarded funding to open a new Minority Business Opportunity Center (MBOC).  The MBOC is a federally funded program by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).  The MBOC shares offices with and is operated by the SRMBC.  The MBOC staff will provide bid procurement assistance as well as attempt to locate potential financing opportunities for certified MBEs.

The center is a natural addition to the SRMBC.  The SRMBC is geared toward networking MBEs with corporations; the MBOC will take the next step by locating and disseminating timely bid opportunities for its clients.  The combination of the two entities provides an opportunity for solid growth and a positive impact on the economy of the state of Alabama.  The MBOC will also provide greater access to private and governmental opportunities, particularly in light of the devastation and rebuilding efforts from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Alex Alvarez, MBA, will serve as Executive Director of Alabama MBOC.  Alvarez brings vast experience in supply chain management, minority business development, and supplier diversity, having served as a Global Team Leader for General Motors World Wide.  Alvarez successfully managed a network of world wide buyers. “I am privileged and honored to oversee the Alabama MBOC.  I look forward to working with community leaders, corporations, and MBEs to further the cause of diversity in the procurement process.  I hope to assist in boosting the wealth and competitiveness of Alabama, and make a positive impact for MBEs.”

Lance Mitchell will serve as Project Director, assisting Alvarez with MBOC duties and planning events, seminars, and projects for the Center.  Mitchell has a background in business management and communications, having served as General Manager for two national hotel chains.  “I am honored to have the opportunity to work with Alex and Scott to help foster growth in the minority business landscape of Alabama.”

For additional information, please contact the SRMBC at (205) 957-1883, or the Alabama MBOC at (205) 957-9779, or visit them online, at www.srmbc.org or www.mbocalabama.org.