Presented by B-BOLD and ITA Trade Talks
in partnership with the Commerce Research Library

Please join this discussion (a partnership between Blacks Building Opportunities to Leverage Diversity—B-BOLD—and ITA Trade Talks) featuring speakers from the African American community that will focus on the current state of affairs for Black-owned businesses and strategies for engaging companies in international trade. As the Department of Commerce develops strategies to implement the Biden Administration’s Build Back Better Agenda, a better understanding of the Black-owned business landscape and how DOC can assist with outreach and service will be critical elements in meeting this objective.

The discussion will focus on the latest research available about Black-owned businesses and the impact of COVID-19 on Black business owners. The discussion will also focus on successful Black-owned businesses, what they have done to survive during COVID-19, and whether exporting has been part of their growth strategy. There will be representatives from both the service and product manufacturing sectors to give a fuller perspective on the type of businesses that can utilize DOC for support in international markets. A national organization will also participate to discuss how Commerce employees can utilize partnerships within the African American business community to reach target clients. Lessons from this session should be illustrative and helpful as DOC increases outreach with other minority- and women-owned businesses, where DOC has not consistently engaged in the past.

Moderator: Rhonda Sinkfield, Commercial Service Officer

Keynote Remarks: Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Media Group/Entertainment Studios

Panel Discussion:

Larry White, President, AA Calibration Services, LLC
Dr. Sharon Freeman, President, Gems of Wisdom Consulting, Inc., www.gemsofwisdomconsulting.com, and the Gemini Ethics Movement (GEM) Foundation
Michael Lawson, President/CEO - Los Angeles Urban League