If you were not there, you should have been. You missed an excellent opportunity to network. People came from everywhere: Annapolis; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Richmond; Towson; Silver Spring; Randallstown; Salisbury; Columbia; Hyattsville; Glenarden; Alberdeen; Newark, Delaware; and Arkansas.

Throughout the early evening and far beyond the scheduled exit time (6-10 pm) hundreds of business people mingled and met for the first time. Trade contractors met with prime contractors; developers scouted out new partners: realtors, attorneys, insurance brokers, money managers, public and municipal financiers, bankers (many bankers) were all looking for new opportunities. We had a dozen or more procurement officers from colleges, cities, counties, state, and public schools.

We were supported by our elected leaders: Talmadge Branch, Paula Johnson Branch, Helen Holton, and Ken Oliver. We·re not supposed to tell you this, but they enjoyed themselves in a very comfortable, safe environment.

Our sponsors, Harkins Builders, Wells Fargo, Struever Bros. Eccles and Rouse, Inc., and The Afro American newspapers, came and remained the entire evening. Without our sponsors, the evening would not had been as enjoyable. The representatives from each of the firms should be paid overtime because each had a receiving line of interested prospects throughout the entire evening as they stood to greet them.

Attendees have already informed us about opportunities received that night. Winky Camper hired an electrician that evening who was at his house the next day and completed the work. Another individual was in church on Sunday and ran into Paula Cullings, the Procurement Officer for the Baltimore City Schools, who raved about the elegance of the evening and the opportunity to meet so many business people.

A special thank you goes out to the Swiney Brothers who are the new managers of the Five Mile House. Their dedication to detail, delicious food and drink, and colorful ambiance created an atmosphere of elegance. You go, guys!

A special, special thanks to our hosts Alvin A. Jones and Associates and Orion Enterprises & Consulting Services, Inc. Return to home page

View Photos

Martin Luther King Parade 2005

On January 17, 2005, MWMCA celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by participating in the annual MLK parade in Baltimore. This year's theme, "Celebrating the Teachers," was so appropriate because Dr. King championed education as a bridge towards opportunity. Teachers, students, marching bands, fraternities, sororities, and others participated on a very, very cold afternoon. Several dozen African American cowboys and cowgirls were a part of the parade, riding their horses.

As I marched in the parade as chairman of the event, I noticed and heard many of the viewers comment their joy and pride about the beauty of the participants. In fact, I witnessed many of the viewers expressing loving comments to Mayor O'Malley for his continued commitment in celebrating Dr. King's birthday with the parade. The parade is the brain child of Mayor Martin O'Malley and he proudly marched with his wife Katie and their children.

I wish to thank Alvin Giland, Bob Sicard, John Grese, Melanie Woodfolk, and Bill Gilmore, all dedicated employees of Baltimore City, for planning and staging a first class event. In addition, the sponsors, such as Kennedy Krieger, Giant Food, and Forman Mills–to name a few, are to be commended. Return to home page
By Wayne R. Frazier, Sr.

View Photos

MWMCA assisted Coppin State University Foundation at the "The Tom Joyner Sky Show".

Minority businesses have been the beneficiaries of many great opportunities from SBA 8A to m/wbe goals set from state, county and local government programs. MWMCA believes in philanthropic giving and we realize that far to many of our firms are not in a financial position to give but for those who are we recommend that supporting our local charitable organizations and institutions of education is a wise heart felt decision. Also, in the past we have supported Boys Hope Girls Hope and Morgan State University. Return to home page

View Photos

Career Day

Operating Engineers Local 37 and the Building Trades Unions team up annually and invite thousands of high school students from around the central Maryland region to participate in Career Day. The day is compact with actual hands on experience in operations of heavy equipment, welding, masonry, plumbing and pipefitting, carpentry, and various other trades. To illustrate the significance of selecting a career in building trades many of our committed elected leaders came in to support these proven and lucrative opportunities being offered. One observed the special outreach to minority youth and the participation of Baltimore City minority youth in recruitment. Return to home page

View Photos