Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 December 2001 — Page 4

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

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ered the message of opening doors for minority- and women-owned businesses. Mayor Bart Peterson said that action is needed to ensure that all have a chance to bid and be awarded contracts. “We need to open doors for new groups to enter. If we do not affirmatively try to allow more opportunities, the system will give the opportunities to the same network," he said receiving a hefty applause for his comments. “The city needs good services, if we are inadvertently excluding a big segment of our society, because we don’t know who’s out there, we are not getting the best resources. There has never been a more important time to have this conversation," he said. The mayor stressed that he wanted more minority and womenowned business to take part in the smaller projects. "F m not worried about the highprofile projects; we have done a good job with those,” he said referring to the construction of Conseco Fieldhouse where a number of minority and women-owned businesses were involved. “The smaller procurement projects that we have on an ongoing basis is where we need to increase participation. It’sourcommitment to make sure that everyone has a chance to work on projects with the city. We are doing more than talk,” he said. Lacy Johnson, president of the Indianapolis Airport Authority Board, also shared the mayor’s commitment. “Indianapolis International Airport spends millions every year. We want to make sure that we are working with minority businesses.” Rep. Julia Carson gave a spirited address in which she reminded business owners not to forget who paved the way for their ascent. She recounted the history of the highway that is surrounded by the Chattanooga Mountains. “If you’ate traveling to Atlanta by car, yoa may go through a beautifuFmountain range in Tennessee. Years ago chain gangs beat the rocks so that highway could be built. When it’s your time, don’t forget those who have fought and laid the bridge for you,” she said. Keynote speaker and attorney Johnnie Cochran built on Carson’s remarks. “Small business owners are the mavericks of our society. They take the risks, their passion and selfreliance is tantamount in turning our economic fate,” he said “You are the lifeblood of American business; it is right to honor you and make sure that you prosper by having opportunities.” “We all must be reminded that we got where we are today is because of the advocates that made real change. So when you get to the promised land, never forget from where you came,” he concluded. Afternoon workshops covered certification, resources for entre-

EVENT Continued from A1 preneurs, and bidding opportunities. From the representatives of certifying bodies present, Indiahd 1^gional Minority Supplier Council, Minority Development Office of the Indiana Department 6f Administration, the City of Indianapolis, the message was marketing and exceeding expectations. To be certified with the authenticating bodies, the basic qualifications are the entity must be 51 percent minority owned (or woman owned) and must be controlled by that minority group. Additional information such as financial documents and operational statements are also required.

IH 18

“You must understand thecapaP' bility of your company and maKfe"' sure your relationships are strong?** Gateia said. " '■ ol '' Vop Osili of A2S04 Are'hitecl^ encouraged the business crowd ffS^’ use their networks and certification to propel their business. “My first thought about certifi^ cation was that we should be abW 0 to get work because of our work 1 , 1 ’ not because we were of a minority^ group. I then realized that certift^ cation was not a crutch. It is a todf' that opens doors. Ourcompany has grown eight-fold, the doors thdtb opened because we were certifietf* helped in that growth.” “Certification is a passport ttK*

gave

certification process and what the business owner needs to do to em

joy its benefits.

“Certification is a designation that allows you to be distinguished from the other businesses. We can’t

’t know wffafwas waiting bd hind them. Now that our busines^l has a passport, ! dop’.t want to be ait) infrequent victor tp that land.” Osili also added underscored the message of good work. ; Your passport can be revoke^/

iiwm wciuu i i uui can uc icvuikcjy / make anything happen for you that and you deported from that land ojy you don’t start yourself. Once you prosperity if you don’t perform^

Make sure you do excellent worU and build on your relationships.’.^. Representatives from the India-j napolis Black Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Com- ( merce, HusB Coordinators. Small Business Administration and the Indiana Regional Minority Devet 1 / opment Council shared informa-. tion about their organizations and 1.

are certified you must carry your weight by marketing yourself,” she

said.

Eric Chapman of eSource has been certified for two years. His company revenues now total $6 million of which he attributes to doing work as a certified vendor. “The quality of our work and the MBE certification provided' greater opportunities. Some of the projects I started on were small, but as I continued to complete the

projects more doors opened for- ing reception where governmerflj’ larger opportunities. Those oppor- agencies and corporations shared.

other resources for businesses. The Diversity Business Ex'-I :hangeculminated with a network?

tunities came because of my work

and the certification.”

Jimmy Beard of J. Beard Management agreed. Beard has been in business for 30 years. He has been certified for five. He was instru-,

their bidding opportunities witH^'

business owners.

Melvin Graham, president of

Advantage Communication, gav^

the exchange a thumbs up. “Overall, I thought the everft 0

re-^

mental in the construction of. was excellent. It was a good nef 1 * 1 Conseco Fieldhouse. “I was told if working opportunity and a gootf 1 l wanted to be part of the team, learning opportunity. The inforcFitificarfbn woim Help. Vons^x). mation'Ml^drtifltatfon and was tfie m'ftstsiic|;^ssTljfproj'&froc sources was great for those just

WBES and'MB^W'fndlahajIb^' starting; it W

history. We all shared in the city’s' those how haVe beeh around bdil success.” ‘ cause the panels gave a lot of inforBeard also spoke of a food ser- mation on the do’s and don’ts oil)

on the Los Angeles International Airport Board, serving as chair for several terms. Indianapolis International Airport is about to embark on a $1 billion construction program and airport officials felt Cochran’s experience in airport and economic development issues would be helpful for Indianapolis-area minority businesspersons to hear. Cochran is bicoastal in his economic development work. He starts work this week as head of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, an organization responsible for economic development efforts in New York City, including the legendary neighborhood of Harlem. Also while in Indy, Cochran spoke at a fund-raiser for Congresswoman Julia Carson, praising the 10th District Representative as one “whose good works are known nationally.” “I’m proud to support this congresswoman who has the best interests of Indianapolis at heart.” Cochran told those in attendance at the breakfast fundraiser. In an exclusive interview with The Indianapolis Recorder and WDNI-TV/Channel 65’s “The

vice company he founded. By being certified the company went from $15,000 a month to doing $15,000 a day. He, as well as others, cautioned that there is no substitute for performance and delivery, the certification was an added bonus. Helping others enter business circles was another mantra of the day. Beard introduced Charlie Garcia, owner of GM Construction. Years ago, Garcia walked into Beard’s office to talk about the construction industry. “That young man walked into my office wanting to learn about business, now look at him today,” Beard said of the multimillion dollar business

owner.

Garcia and Dale Mason Cochran talked about focus and relation-

ships.

COCHRAN Continued from A1 Amos Brown Show,” Cochran said that “Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs was my last criminal case,” referring to the trial earlier this year where the rapper/mogul was acquitted of gun and assault charges. In his interviews, Cochran revealed that he was in New York on Sept. 11. “My New York office is just three blocks from Ground Zero,” said the famed attorney .But, though he experienced the horrors of that day, Cochran has no intentions of reversing his position regarding criminal cases. In recent weeks, Cochran’s role in the O.J. Simpson trial has been brought up on various talk show hosts and news media outlets as a justification for trying terrorists not in civilian courts, but in military tribunals. A recent cartoon by Indianapolis Star cartoonist Gary Varvel depicted Cochran as the attorney defending Osama bin Laden. Cochran was sent a copy of the cartoon, which many in the African-Ameri-can community considered racist. Cochran’s reaction to the controversy was direct — “Under no circumstances would I defend Osama bin Laden. I don’t want to be used to justify the

business.” He continued, “I was also en^ couraged by the participation Of the companies in the networking session. Hopefully many opportunities will evolve from the workshop.” Event organizer, James Duke, diversity manager for BAA Indianapolis, was equally pleased about the result of the day. “We surpassed the number that attended last year and still had people calling and inquiring about the event this morning,” he said. “There are many opportunities out here. We want business owners to know that they are part of the equation. We can help make the connection, but its up to them to build the relationship,” he said.

administration’s use of military tribunals.” Civil cases and working on economic development issues now takes up the time of this 63-year-old barrister. “We should be using our new found unity,” saiil Cochran, “to make sure that oqr African-American community shares in the economic prosperity of the country.” Explaining his role in helping Harlem’s economic revitalization, he said, “I was asked by (New York Congressman) Charlie Rangel to help.” Asked how he planned to make sure revitalization didn’t drive out longtime. Harlem businesses, Cochran tolif The Recorder, “I will be meeting with local Harlem businesspeopfer to make sure they’re included redevelopment,” Cochran said. Despite his work on civil cases and economic empowerment, Cochran couldn’t resist providing advice for Indianapolis residents’ who might need an attorney. “Mate sure that person has passion,H Cochran advised, “Make sure th^C they will work hard for you anjl your case.” Just like Johnnie Cochran wou Id. f!