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The Maryland-Washington Minority Contractors Association held its 6th Annual Breakfast this morning at Martin's West in Woodlawn. Attendees included Congressman Elijah Cummings and Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith

6th Annual MWMCA Breakfast Draws 1,150 attendees

By Doni Glover, www.bmorenews.com

(WOODLAWN – May 8, 2009) – You gotta love this guy! For the sake of improving minority business in the Maryland-Washington region – one with an estimated $45 billion in annual disposable income for blacks alone - Wayne Frazier is taking no prisoners.

A politico in his own right, Frazier, the President of the Maryland-Washington Minority Contractors Association (MWMCA), is a stalwart fighter for minority businesses. He is not afraid to ask the tough questions. He is fearless when it comes to getting government and private industry to do the right thing. He is brave when it comes to paving a path that no one else will.

There have been others in the past: Robert Lee Clay immediately comes to mind; as does former DC Mayor-now Councilman Marion Barry.

However, today – Frazier is one of an elite few who still push the envelope, continuously asking what the politician is going to do to ensure that blacks in Maryland and DC get a fair share of the pie.

This morning, the MWMCA held its 6^th annual breakfast in Woodlawn at Martin’s West.

The last time I recall seeing so many people interested in minority business gathered together was at Montgomery County Delegate Herman Taylor’s MBE Night in Annapolis several weeks ago. Prior to that, Visionary Marketing Group’s LaRian Finney brought out a decent crowd back in February. In years past, it was the Small Business Administration’s annual breakfast that set the precedent; by the way, that breakfast will resurrect itself next Friday at Martin’s West.

As for now, Frazier and the MWMCA are on a roll.

Who else can bring out Montgomery County’s Ike Leggett, Comptroller Peter Franchot, and Chief Judge of the State of Maryland Robert Bell.

Understand, the whole concept of Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) is a tricky one. Personally, I find it appalling that minorities in business have to go through the process of proving they are a minority to get a set aside. I think it egregious that political leaders and procurement officers need someone to stand over their shoulder in order for them to share the pie. I see it as embarrassing to think that even though we have a black president, racism and selfishness still rule the land.

It is tough running a business. From taxes to payroll to healthcare to benefits, entrepreneurship is clearly not for the faint at heart. Yet, there is no other way for most entrepreneurs. And, if I may speak for the MBE community, most just want a fair shot at getting some business so they can feed their children and take care of their families.

Yet, a big brother and mentor – Scott Phillips – reminded me last night of why MBE programs and set asides are needed. He said that he has seen them work over the past 15 years. He has seen businesses gain contracts and opportunities that they would not have otherwise gotten.

The challenge is, however, that it is extremely difficult to measure the progress. Some say, for instance, that the climate for MBE’s was better under Gov. Robert Ehrlich than it is today. On the other hand, one has to give Gov. Martin O’Malley, Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp credit for openly asking those who come before them at the Board of Public Works just how much minority inclusion they have on a given contract. I have seen it with my own eyes.

So, some say life is getting better for MBE’s in Maryland. Some say it is still the same. Some say nothing has improved at all.

As for Mr. Frazier, nobody puts it down like him. And for that, he has done his part.   

I guess the rest is all up to the entrepreneur to do for him or herself, find those opportunities, build those relationships, and secure those contracts. To say the least, the MWMCA breakfast is a great place to get started.

Tags: black business, minority business enterprises (MBE's)