by Congressman Elijah E. Cummings
There are fundamental realities which dominate the economic future of African American communities.
The Constitution of the United States advances and protects our property rights as vigorously as it guarantees our personal rights to liberty and life itself. America is a capitalistic society.
Every day, I plan and work toward that time when African Americans will own more of the country our labor and suffering did so much to create. My economic empowerment efforts take many forms, but - in practice - empowering people to own more of this country involves two concrete objectives:
First, I am determined to make the knowledge essential to achieving success readily available to everyone. The power which lives in information should not be limited to the rich and well-connected.
Second, and equally important to success in America, people need access. New entrepreneurs may possess the drive and capability to succeed, but they also need and deserve our help in gaining access to business relationships.
Sharing empowering information with the people of Baltimore and expanding their access to opportunity comprise a large part of my Congressional work.
One of the most important markets for new minority businesses is the growing demand for business supplies and services, and the federal government is a major part of that market. During FY1997, for example, contracts awarded by the federal government to active participants in the SBA's 8(a) Minority Enterprise Development program exceeded $6.3 billion.
These minority businesses are essential engines of job creation in our communities. During 1997, the 6,000 businesses in the SBA=s 8(a) program contributed nearly 180,000 jobs to the nation=s work force.
The extraordinary business development and job creation potential which government contracting offers to our community are two of the reasons why I sponsor a free, annual educational conference for everyone interested in doing business with the federal government. Last year, several hundred entrepreneurs and potential business owners attended my Agovernment procurement fair.@
That event was so successful that I will sponsor it again this year. During the MD/DC Minority Supplier Development Council=s A1999 Business Conference & Opportunity Fair,@ June 7th and 8th at the Baltimore Convention Center, I will be holding my government procurement fair in the area designated Apublic sector.@
All of the educational opportunities sponsored by my office will be open to the public and free of charge. Representatives from over 80 government agencies will be on hand, providing participants with valuable information about government contracting. Free public workshops conducted by the Small Business Administration and the Maryland Small Business Development Center will cover essential subjects such as the minority-owned business certification process and the preparation of competitive government contracting proposals.
I am not the sponsor of the MD/DC Minority Supplier Development Council=s Conference. Therefore, some of its events at the June conference do require a registration fee, and participants must make their own decisions about events for which a fee is charged.
I do encourage everyone to attend the free educational programs and take advantage of the government business contacts which will be available. Past experience indicates that the information people acquire and the access they gain to public sector opportunities will help business owners succeed.
Business development within our community is central to all strategies for achieving economic empowerment. If African Americans are ever to own our rightful share of this country, we must do more business with the private sector and with the American government.
-The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings represents the 7th Congressional District of Maryland in the United States House of Representatives.