I am sure you are all aware of published MWBE disparity studies and reports that indicate in many instances large corporations and some government agencies wrongly assume that MWBEs are incompetent, lack capacity and resources to provide the level of service they require. As certified MWBES, we need to be familiar with this study, you definitely need to read up on it because this type of perception creates obstacles and barriers for MWBES http://www.empire.state.ny.us/MWBE/Data/NERA_NYS_Disparity_Study_Final_NEW.pdf that ultimately affects our ability to grow and do business. That said, I want to point the importance of walking your own talk, and striving for excellence, no matter what the obstacles are in front of us. Further, we need to demonstrate our own commitment to small, minority and women owned businesses by doing business with each other. If we are unwilling to work with each other, how can we expect corporations and government agencies to want to do business with us?
