MBDA Invests in the Growth and Success of America’s Entrepreneurs

They’re the backbone of the U.S. economy and an elite group of risk takers, innovators, and job creators. Entrepreneurs are the key drivers of the U.S. economy, particularly minority business enterprises (MBEs).  According to the U.S. Census Survey of Business Owners, there are 8 million MBEs in the U.S. who generate total gross revenues exceeding $1.4 trillion. These numbers reflect a 38 percent increase between 2007 and 2012.

To ensure this growth trend continues well into the future, communities and federal agencies, must continue to invest their resources in the training and development of new and established entrepreneurs.  The Minority Business Development Agency has long been a champion for supporting and developing minority entrepreneurs. In addition to funding a nationwide network of MBDA Business Centers, MBDA and its partners routinely provide free webinars, business articles/blogs and online training resources. These resources are designed to inform, engage, and empower minority entrepreneurs for success and address the specific challenges they often face in global and domestic markets.

Entrepreneurs can visit www.mbda.gov/webinars, to view past webinars and download presentation slides, on a variety of business topics such as exporting, inclusive innovation, intellectual property and access to capital.  They can access the information online from wherever they are and ask questions during the live webinars. The sessions also provide attendees with opportunities to connect to fellow entrepreneurs, influencers, business leaders and government officials from across the Federal Government - and the private sector.

MBDA recently co-hosted a webinar with Walker’s Legacy  and the National Women's Business Council to discuss the newly released research report, Black Women Entrepreneurs: Past and Present Conditions of Black Women’s Business Ownership.  The report, commissioned by the National Women’s Business Council and The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, and prepared by Walker’s Legacy, explores the challenges and opportunities facing black women entrepreneurs.  According to the report, as of 2012, Black women entrepreneurs owned approximately 1.5 million businesses across the U.S. and composed almost 58.9 percent of all Black business owners. Currently, African- American and Hispanic women make up the fastest growing segments of entrepreneurs in the nation.

In addition to the Agency’s online resources, MBDA’s national network of business centers also provide technical expertise to entrepreneurs on accessing contracts and markets, strategic business consulting and global business development services. Several centers also host community workshops and seminars to help MBEs elevate their businesses to the next level.

For more information on upcoming webinars, training resources and the MBDA Business Center Network, visit MBDA.gov. 

This blog is a part of a monthly series highlighting the contributions of the Commerce Department’s agencies to the Open for Business Agenda. This month’s focus is on Skills for Business.