Join us on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, as we host a free webinar featuring Mr. Donald (“Don”) R. Cravins, Jr., first Under Secretary of Commerce for the Minority Business Development Agency. This new federal agency, created in 2021 by President Biden, serves the nation’s 9.7 million minority business enterprises. Mr. Cravins was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on August 4, 2022.
The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, powered by the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA), is pleased to host this special virtual event, where Mr. Cravins will discuss opportunities for minority-owned businesses to grow by mobilizing public and private sector programs, policy and research. He will also discuss funding sources available through the federal government to bolster services that will help minority-owned businesses expand and prosper.
Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) are fast-growing and represented in every industry sector in the United States. MBEs directly contribute to the U.S. economy and create millions of jobs in the U.S. The BBA’s Business Advisory Services program works directly with MBEs and minority-owned small businesses in our area to help them grow and scale their business. This webinar is just one of many services we offer to support our small businesses.
Mr. Cravins brings a wealth of experience to this position, and he is passionate about minority business growth opportunities. In 2004, he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives and in 2006 elected to the Louisiana State Senate. While in the Legislature and following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Don served as a voice and champion for business owners, assisting with navigating the challenges related to recovery and rebuilding.
In January 2009, Don left the Legislature to serve as Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, where he played a vital role in the successful passage of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. In January 2013, he became the Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana. At that time, he was the only African American Chief of Staff in the United States Senate.
Since leaving the United States Senate in 2015 and prior to assuming his new position as Under Secretary, Don served in key executive positions for some of America’s largest non-profit and for-profit corporations, including the National Urban League where he served as its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Louisiana State University and a Juris Doctor from the Southern University Law.
The Birmingham Chamber is thrilled to have the Under Secretary be the featured speaker for our webinar on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at noon. The webinar is free but registration is required.