Everyday I come to work at the Indiana Minority Supplier Development Council (IMSDC) and I smile. First, because I love my job and second because I know that someone very dear to me helped to make a way for minority businesses in the state of Indiana. Who is that person? My mother, the late Indiana State Senator Carolyn Brown Mosby (D-Gary).
My mom served in the Indiana General Assembly for 12 years, representing Gary and Lake County, Indiana. Among her many accomplishments as a legislator was authoring Indiana Public Law 34-1983 that created the Governor’s Commission on Minority Business Development and the Indiana Department of Administration’s (IDOA) Minority Business Development program. This year marks 30 years since that legislation was passed.
I had the pleasure and privilege to work for the IDOA’s Minority Business Development program for four years. It made me proud to be able to carry on the legacy created by my mother’s legislation and help minority business enterprises in state contracting. I was mentored by the first Deputy Commissioner for Minority Business Development, Harry Alford and then went on to work for other Commissioners – Gary A. Gibson and Addison T. Simpson.
Who knew that 17 years later I would return to minority business development as President and CEO of the IMSDC! Much like my colleagues that represent the other 35 Councils across the country, my job is to focus on our four pillars: Certify, Develop, Connect and Advocate. We are committed to promoting and cultivating successful minority enterprises and serving as advocates for the economic well-being and growth of certified MBEs and providing a direct connection for corporations who are committed to purchasing products and services from certified MBEs.
I would be remiss if I didn’t also recognize the late Congressman Parren J. Mitchell (D-Maryland), founder of the Congressional Black Caucus and the person who first spearheaded programs and legislation at the federal level to aid minority owned businesses.