Join Capital One and the Office of Minority Business for the Capital One Diverse Supplier Mentoring Program’s “Special Restaurant Training Session.” The one-day virtual training is open to all restaurant owners and up-and-coming owners.

The session will be facilitated by Jason Alley, City of Richmond Policy Advisor for Restaurants and Small Business. The session will cover the following topics:

• General business requirements
• Importance of knowledge of the business you own, or plan to own
• Ongoing/continuous improvement plans
• Opening a food service business in the City of Richmond
• Determining the appropriate venture
• Business 101 for restaurants
• Overview of general trends in the industry

The training will take place on Monday, April 11, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The deadline for registration is Wednesday, April 6, 2022. To receive the meeting link, registration is required.

To register, you may click on the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a49a4ad23a3f85-restaurant1

If you have any questions, you may contact the Office of Minority Business Development at (804) 646-5947 or email us at gale.jones@rva.gov.

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The City of Richmond has selected MGT, a public sector firm that specializes in disparity and availability studies, to perform a disparity study of the city’s programs for minority business enterprises (MBE).

The purpose of the study is to determine whether a significant gap exists between the number of MBEs that are qualified to perform and the number of MBEs engaged by the city or its prime contractors.

Director of the Department of Procurement Services Betty J. Burrell stated, “We embrace the opportunity to work with Office of Minority Business Development and MGT on this important disparity study. Our business model includes continual process improvements; therefore, at the conclusion of the study or as potential challenges are identified during the study process, we welcome recommendations for improvements that could be made to our procurement policies and procedures that would help remove barriers to success for minority firms.”

The study will be based on five years of historical data and will include statistical analysis, empirical evidence, and an assessment of any anecdotal and qualitative evidence of discrimination within the city’s procurement process. MGT will perform the study, and, if a disparity is found to exist, offer analysis on whether the use of only race neutral based measures would be effective or if other remedies should be considered to correct the inequity.

Input from the local community and stakeholders is highly encouraged. The first community meeting is scheduled on April 7, 2022 and details can be found at richmondvadisparitystudy.com.

MGT will gather qualitative input from businesses during the course of the study. Questions regarding the study should be directed to Vernetta Mitchell, vmitchell@mgtconsulting.com or (813) 321-1400  ext. 2131.

About MGT

MGT is a national public sector management and technology services firm that delivers diverse services and solutions to a wide range of state, local and education clients across the U.S. and abroad. Leveraging a 48-year track record and reputation, our industry subject matter experts’ partner with thousands of public agencies to provide trusted solutions that improve government performance and help communities thrive. 

It is the largest solutions providers of disparity studies and has conducted more unchallenged studies than any other consultant firm in the country. The team has executed more than 230 studies across the country and will aim to provide the city of Richmond with a comprehensive, effective, and legally supportable disparity study.

Visit us at www.mgtconsulting.com or find us on social media.

United WE’s Appointments Project announces expansion to Richmond, Virginia

Office of Mayor Levar Stoney and the National League of Cities, in collaboration with Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR), announce their partnership to increase the number of women on local boards and commissions through United WE’s Appointments Project. Starting in 2014, the Appointments Project has resulted in more than 150 women being placed on boards and commissions.

“I’ve seen first-hand the need to address racial and gender disparities in civic leadership to ensure that we are drawing on the talents and diverse perspectives of our residents.” Myra Goodman Smith, LMR’s President and CEO, said. “Our partnership with the City of Richmond and United WE’s Appointments Project will strengthen the city by increasing the number of women and women of color who are at the decision-making table of their communities.”

United WE’s Appointments Project serves as a talent bank, advisor, and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead their communities and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. The award-winning approach guides women through applying for these positions and suggests applicants for appointment.

“Our research showed us that women don’t become civically engaged because they weren’t being asked. As a result, we created the Appointments Project so local boards and commissions could reflect the communities they serve,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President & CEO. “With the help of partners like Mayor Levar Stoney and Leadership Metro Richmond, we are addressing the gender disparities in local leadership and ability to make significant changes in our communities.” 

Based on a growing number of success stories, the pipeline of women leaders is growing rapidly across the country. The Appointments Project fills a critical need in creating a pathway to work with elected officials and better community representation that leads to better lives for all.  

An Information Session will be held virtually on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at 6:00 pm with United WE, city officials, and LMR. “We encourage and invite everyone to learn more and join us in unlocking women’s potential for civic leadership,” Mayor Stoney said. Click here to learn about the Information Session: https://united-we.org/appointments-project.

About Leadership Metro Richmond 

Leadership Metro Richmond or LMR is a community leadership development and engagement organization. Since 1980, LMR has connected diverse community leaders, broadened their knowledge and perspectives on regional issues, and provided tools to increase their abilities to create impact through leadership. The flagship program, Leadership Quest, has developed over 2000 community leaders, preparing them to serve first, then lead. LMR presents national thought leaders in the Lora M. Robins Speaker Series and workshops to advance nonprofit governance. LMR’s Board Connector events and Board Concierge Services connect leaders and residents to nonprofit board service opportunities. For more information, visit www.lmronline.org and Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

About United WE 

United Women’s Empowerment, or United WE (formerly the Women’s Foundation), is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. Since 1991, United WE has overcome systemic barriers to women’s economic development and civic leadership by investing in research, advocacy, and policy solutions. We have conducted 19 meaningful research studies, advocated for issues resulting in 37 policy actions, and supported more than 150 civic appointments. Our work positively impacts hundreds of thousands of women and families by commissioning transformative research, scaling our fast-growing Appointments Project, advocating for reforms that honor the legacies of women, and contributing to policy solutions that advance equal pay, paid family leave, affordable childcare and occupational licensing; and aid in fighting against sexual harassment. Unite with us. Visit www.united-we.org and connect with @UnitedWeEmpower on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Appointments Project

United WE’s fast-growing Appointments Project is a research-based, tested and systematic approach that has resulted in more than 150 women being appointed to civic boards and commissions. Through a landmark study, United WE identified the barriers causing women to be underrepresented on civic boards and commissions and established the Appointments Project in 2014. The Appointments Project empowers women and strengthens communities by increasing the gender diversity of civic boards and commissions to better reflect the communities they serve. In addition to increasing gender diversity, the project emphasizes increasing racial equity on civic boards and commissions among women, with women of color representing 34% of applicants. For more information, please visit www.united-we.org/appointments-project or follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram).

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The application deadline for the Triple A Business Assistance program has been extended to February 28, 2022. Businesses interested in participating must complete the program application by visiting https://bit.ly/3IEwKsy. Slots are limited for the program. Participants will be selected via a selection committee.

Businesses are no longer required to be registered with the Office of Minority Business Development to be eligible for the program.

Businesses can obtain more information about the Triple A Business Assistance Program and other Technical Assistance Programs on the OMBD’s website: www.rva.gov/mbd.

For more information or if you have any questions about OMBD’s programming, contact Lisette Johnson at (804) 646-5947.

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Nine local, minority-owned businesses have graduated from the Diverse Supplier Mentoring Program, a collaborative professional development program made possible by the City of Richmond Office of Minority Business Development and Capital One.

Led by Capital One, the program provides business owners with the tools, resources and counsel needed to succeed in today’s marketplace. As a part of Capital One’s Impact Initiative, the program aims to accelerate the success of small business owners to create more jobs, strengthen the local economy and move our society toward a more equitable future.

“At Capital One, we recognize the longstanding impact of Richmond’s Black-owned businesses on the social and economic vitality of the city,” said Jim Gorzalski, Chief Procurement Officer and Senior Vice President of Enterprise Services at Capital One. “As part of our greater supplier diversity work, we are honored to provide mentorship to accelerate the revenue and business growth of these entrepreneurs in the city where we live, work and serve.”

Mayor Levar Stoney delivered remarks to the graduating class and thanked them for the great contributions they make to the community.

About the Diverse Supplier Mentoring Program

Capital One’s diverse supplier mentoring program provides business owners with the tools, resources and counsel needed to succeed in today’s marketplace. The program pairs local entrepreneurs with Capital One associates to develop sustainable models that accelerate year over year growth, profitability and key operating metrics.  As part of Capital One’s Impact Initiative, the diverse supplier mentoring program aims to accelerate the success of small business owners to create more jobs, strengthen the local economy and move our society toward a more equitable future.

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