UPDATE: Lexington Bluegrass Area Minority Business Expo to also focus on disparity study

UPDATE POSTED AUGUST 4, 2021 AT 11:11 A.M.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ/Press Release) – The Lexington Bluegrass Area Minority Business Virtual Expo will feature a variety of educational sessions and networking opportunities.

One anticipated session will focus on Lexington’s upcoming disparity study. The study examines whether disadvantaged, minority, and woman-owned businesses face barriers when competing for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government contracts and identify ways to make the agency’s bid opportunities more accessible to small and disadvantaged businesses.

Attendees will learn about the study as well as how to provide testimony and comments to help LFUCG know the perspective of the local business community.

“It’s the first disparity study for Lexington and I am looking forward to working with BBC Research & Consulting, the team chosen to lead the study, to make improvements to the minority business enterprise program in order to move it forward,” said Sherita Miller, Minority Business Enterprise Liaison.

“I am pleased BBC has partnered with two local minority businesses, EHI Consultants and Abundant Living for Community Engagement, to conduct in-depth interviews and focus groups, as these components are imperative to the overall study,” stated Miller.

Expo co-chair, Darlene Barber is excited about the content for this year’s Expo.

“This session is particularly relevant,” said Barber. “The information gathered through this disparity study will lead to long term positive change for the minority businesses in our community. That’s exciting. Even in the middle of a pandemic, we are able to bring attendees the best sessions possible in a safe virtual environment”

ORIGINAL STORY POSTED JULY 27, 2021 AT 12:59 P.M.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ/Press Release) – The upcoming 19th Annual Lexington Bluegrass Area Minority Business Expo Virtual Conference will give attendees the chance to hear from three African American startup founders from the Commonwealth.

The event will be held on Aug. 5 and 6. Registration is now open at www.Lexingtonmbe.com.

The morning session will be moderated by Taunya Phillips, Director, Office of Technology Commercialization at the University of Kentucky.  Featured innovators are Mo Sloan, founder of EZ-Chow, an online restaurant ordering system that increases digital customer engagement; Ricky Mason, founder of BrainSTEM, an Ed-Tech startup offering STEAM-based education for Pre-K students through adults; and Jocari Beattie, founder of JoBe Products, a consumer products company.

“Technology is an area where we need to continue to grow as entrepreneurs of color,” said Darlene Barber, Expo co-chair. “Having this session featuring successful tech startups shows other entrepreneurs what is possible.”

“This is a great way to kick off our virtual Expo. We hope that other business owners are inspired as they learn about the journeys of these incredible founders and their experiences,” said Tiffany Masden, Expo co-chair.

“African American startup founders receive only 1% of available venture capital, yet they continue to innovate. They possess unique cultural perspectives and skills that allow them to create solutions to problems (new and old) that impact the world,” according to Taunya Phillips. “It is very important that we find ways to nurture and support these entrepreneurs, as well as grow the number of African Americans who participate in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Scalable, technology-based startups are a way to lessen the wealth gap in communities of color and create economic opportunities. Our economic future is intertwined with the ability of these entrepreneurs to succeed.”