HUBZone for the Holidays

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LETTER FROMTHE EDITOR

InFebruary2022,theCouncillaunchedtheTrailblazerMagazineto anaudiencehungryforgood-newsHUBZonestories.Thispastyear, wehavegonetocommunitiesallovertheUnitedStatestohighlight morethan100HUBZonetrailblazers.Theseindividualssharedtheir personalstories-boththeirtrialsandtriumphs.Ithasbeenmyhonor tosharejustasmallportionoftheirtrailblazingstories.Thesepeople representtheheartoftheHUBZoneProgram.Don’tforgetthe HUBZoneCouncilforyourend-of-yeardonationsforeffortslikethese!

TheDecembereditionofthemagazineisdedicatedto“Remembering thetrailblazersDuringtheHolidays.”Iwantedtorecapturesomeofthe themesthatmadetheTrailblazingMagazinesomemorable.Andso,we continuedthethemeoftheemailcampaignlaunchedearlierthis month“10DaysofHolidayTrailblazers.”ThiseditionrepresentsacompilationofTrailblazers Iselectedbasedonthesame10themesbelow: In2023,theTrailblazerMagazinewillmovetoaquarterlypublicationwithevenmorestories

MESSAGEFROMTHECOUNCIL

OnbehalfoftheBoardofDirectorsfortheHUBZoneContractor’sNationalCouncil (HUBZoneCouncil),Iwanttothankyouforallyoursupportin2022.Here’saspecial shoutouttothenewmemberswhojoinedourranksthispastyear:weincreasedour membershipby12%.

TheCouncilworkedonseveralinitiativesthispastyeartosupporttheBiden Administration’squesttoleveltheplayingfieldforsmallbusinesses.Ihavetakentheliberty tonameafewofthoseinitiatives:

•LaunchedaDigitalMagazine

•Awarded1stsubcontracttooptimizeHUBZoneparticipation

•HostedthelargestHUBZoneConferenceintheOrganization’shistory

•AssistedsixofourmembersinsecuringtheirHUBZone

•CertificationinrecordtimeaspartofSBA’sEarlyEngagementprogram

•AssistedtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyindevelopingastrategytoincrease

•HUBZoneparticipationundertheSuperFund

•TestifiedbeforetheMarylandPublicUtilityCommissiontoAdoptHUBZoneonthestate LevelandassistedwithdraftinglegislationtoleveragetheHUBZoneProgramonthe StateLevel

•HostedacquisitiontraininginconjunctionwithGSA’sCategoryManagementinitiative fortheirconstructionandindustrialproductsandservicesdivisioninadditiontothe NationalInstitutesofHealthandtheU.S.DepartmentofEducation

•Supported20+Education&Outreacheventsthroughouttheyear

•ParticipatedinfourHilltestimoniesandsupportednumerouslegislativeinitiativesthat ledtothefollowinglegislativeachievements:

◦SpearheadedthePRICEAct,whichwassignedintolaw.Itencouragesinteragency collaborationtoutilizesmallbusinesscontractors.TheCouncil’sadvocacyteam testifiedbeforetheSenateonthistopic.

◦TheHousepassedH.R.7694,theStrengtheningSubcontractingfor SmallBusinessesActof2022,whichexpandstheimportanceofsubcontractingplan performanceinagencyevaluationofofferorsandmakessubcontractingplan performanceamoreimportantfactorinwinningfuturework.

◦Secured$5MinfundingfortheHUBZoneProgramattheSmallBusiness AdministrationintheHouse’sFY2023Appropriationsbill.Thiswasanincreaseto $5Mfromthepreviousyear’s$3M.

◦TheSenateCommitteepassedtheCouncil-supportedAGILEProcurementActof 2022,whichwillincreaseopportunitiesforinnovativesmallbusinessesthatwantto contractwiththeFederalGovernment.

◦TheSenateCommitteepassedtheCouncil-supportedInteragencyCommitteeon Women’sBusinessEnterpriseActof2021,whichreauthorizestheInteragency CommitteeforWomen’sBusinessEnterprisetohelpcoordinatefederalresourcesto encouragetheformation,growth,andsuccessofwomen-ownedbusinesses.

◦Securedlanguageunderthe2023NationalDefenseAuthorizationActtohelp safeguardsmallbusinesses,includingSec.871–ChangestotheSBAScorecard: ExpandsreportingrequirementsfortheSBA.

Asyoucanseefromthislist,wehavehadavery busyyear–butourworkisfarfromover.Inthe comingyear,theCouncilintendstohittheground running,startingwiththeSmallBusiness IndustryAwardsGalaonFebruary15thinNew Orleans.TheCouncilisproudtopartnerwith National8(a)onthismomentousevent,andwe hopetoseeyouallthere.

TheCouncilisdeterminedtobeacatalystfor levelingtheplayingfieldforcurrentandemerging HUBZonebusinesses.Tothatend,weencourage eachmembertotakeadvantageoftheexciting networkingandeducationalopportunitiesthatwe haveplannedfor2023.Soplease,SavetheDate forourAnnualNationalHUBZoneConferenceon August22-23,anddon’tforgettoconsiderthe Councilforyourendofyeardonations.Wecould certainlyusethehelp.

Withallthatsaid,Iwanttothankyouagainforallyoursupportin2022.Welookforwardto seeingoutattheGalain2023,andagainattheAnnualNationalHUBZoneConference!

BEATING THEODDS

Ms.Burnettisournumberone HUBZoneTrailblazer.Asthe ExecutiveDirectoroftheCouncil, sheembodiespassion, fearlessness,anddrive.Her HUBZonejourneystartedmorethanadecade agoasacontractorfortheHUBZoneProgram whereshewitnessedfirsthandthevalueand impactoftheprogram.

KeepingIt100

Ms.Burnettmentionedapivotal conversationshehadwithaformercontracting officeratSBAaboutsomeoftheprogram regulations.Ms.Burnettwasstrugglingto understandsomeoftheregulationsbecausein hermindtheydidn’tmakesenseandshesays shewillneverforgetwhathesaid“Ididn'tsay itmadesense.Ijustsaidthatishowthe regulationisapplied.”Thosefewwordshave ledtoadecade-longjourneyforher–of keepingit100;thatis,advocatingfor regulationsthatarestraightforwardandmake sensetotheHUBZoneBusinessCommunity.

ThisTrailblazerisattheforefrontof holdingtheFederalGovernmentaccountable forthesocialeconomicprogramstheyhave enacted.Whetheradvocatingalongsideher partnersattheNationalVeteranSmall BusinessCoalition(NVSBC)orWomen ImpactingPublicPolicy(WIPP),Ms.Burnett keepsitreal–collaboratingwiththemto ensureeverysocio-economiccategoryhasa seatatthefederalprocurementtable.Shesays, “Itismorethanmeetingafederalgoalitis aboutfulfillingthemissionoftheseprograms.

BeatingtheOdds

ThisTrailblazerclearlyhasacoupleof dozencheerleaders(family,staff,Council members).Shegivesallthepraisetoher networkofamazingsupporters,includingher grandmother,afterwhomsheisnamed,orher youngerbrother,Chris.Ms.Burnettcan’t rememberatimewhenChriswasn’tpushing hertosucceed.Hebelievedhisbigsistercould doanythingsheputhermindtoandsoshe did!

Ms.Burnett’sfirstleginthejourneytobeat theoddswaswhenshewas13.Shewas diagnosedwith“PosturalOrthostatic TachycardiaSyndrome(POTS).”Thefirstsign thatsomethingwaswrongwaswhenthe

energeticteenagerwouldsleepallday.Ms. Burnett’sparentstrustedher;theyknew somethingwasreallywrong.Theydidn’tstop seekinganswersuntilthedoctorsfoundthem. WithPOTS,minortaskssuchasgettingoutof bedcanfeellikeamarathonbutovertheyears, shehasfoundwaystomanagebutnotwithout difficulty.

ForMs.Burnett,thismeantsometimes doingtheseeminglyimpossible–slowing downherscheduletoanormalpace,despite howurgentthedeadlinewas,ordoingthe unthinkable-acceptinghelpfromhervillage. In2022,whileattendingtheSocietyof AmericanMilitaryEngineers(SAME) conference,sheexperiencedahorribleepisode duetoamedicationdelay.Ms.Burnettsaid,“It wassoamazinghowourmembersdid everythingtheycouldtohelpme.Theywere sendingmessagestocheckonme.Ididn'tfeel likeIwasaburden,eventhoughIwasfeeling extremelyembarrassedatthetime.Idon’tlike needinghelp,Iliketobetheonewhogivesit.I sayallthetime,‘itisliketheyarefamily.’ WhenIneedthem,theyarealwaysthere.”

Ms.Burnettdoesn’tliketalkingabouther healthissuesbecauseitmakesherfeelweak. Shehasslowlycometotherealizationthat beingdifferentdoesnotmeanbeingdeficient. Thishumblingsituationhasallowedherto share,atanintimatelevel,herstruggleswhile advocatingforotherswhohavesimilarbattles. Hertransparencyoftengivespeoplethe comfortandhopetopushintotheirnew “normal”andlivetheirbestliveseachday.

Michelleandhersiblings.Startingfromtheright, Chris,Kira,Michelle,andMatt

FromAngerto Contentment

BeingdiagnosedwithPOTScancausealot offrustration,particularlytoachild,who,ata youngage,wasalreadyshowingsignsofbeing abuddingTrailblazer.Ms.Burnettsaid, “Unfortunately,ittookmealongtimetostop beingangryandfeelinglike‘whyme,thisisn't fair.’Itwasn’tuntilIwentonatripwithmy dad,mybrother,andmybrother'sfriendtothe DominicanRepublicthatIlearnedgratitude.I sawthislittleboywalkingupahillcarrying water.Hehadonelegandwasusingastickas acrutch.Ithitme.Ihadabsolutelynothingto complainabout.Thistripchangedmyentire viewonmylifeandforthefirsttime,I experiencedwhatitwastobecontent.I stoppedthinkingofmyselfandliterallywanted tohelpeveryone.Ihadblamedmy shortcomingsonmyinabilitytodothings,but thenIrealizeditjustmightbealittlebit harder,orImighthavetofigureoutadifferent wayofdoingit.Thatwasmypivotpoint.We're soblessedhereintheUS.I'msoblessedto havesomanyamazingfamilyandfriends.That iswhyInowhaveatattooonmyshoulderthat says:

“Thosethathavehurtyouinthepast cannotcontinuetohurtyouunlessyou holdontothepainthroughresentment. Yourpastisyourpast!Nothingwill changeit...Foryourownsake,learn fromit,andthenletitgo.”

Thattattooisamessagetoallentrepreneurs whohavestumbledandfailed.Itisonlya failureiftheychoosetoliveinthepain.Not lettinggoofthepainornotgrowingfromitis thetruefailure.Thechallengeforeachofusis

toembracethesetransformativelessons.These lessonsaremeanttoleadustoourultimate “NewNormal.”

ObstacleCourse: FiguringItOut

Ithasbeenoftensaidthatanobstacle coursedevelopsleadership,perseverance, teamwork,andrewiringone’slifestyle.Ms. Burnetthasdevelopedalloftheseskillsasshe hasnavigatedthevariousobstaclesinher journey.Earlyinhercareer,Ms.Burnettwas abletosupportSBA’sStrategicPlanon DisabilityInclusioninEntrepreneurship.She interviewedstakeholders,documentingtheir storiesandstruggles.Ms.Burnettidentified themanyobstacleswithintheFederal Governmentthathindermillionsofdisabled citizensfrompursuingtheirentrepreneurial

MichelleandsomeoftheHUBZoneCouncil'smembersandsupportersinvariousevents.

MakaylareppingHUBZoneonesie.

dreams.Herabilitytolistenandidentifythe obstacleshasledtohersuccess.

AsExecutiveDirectoroftheCounciland themomoftworambunctioustoddlers,she knowsfirst-handwhatitmeanstoleaptall buildingsinasinglebound.Shegavebirthto herlastchildjust2weeksbeforetheAnnual NationalHUBZoneconference.Ms.Burnett’s abilitytosuccessfullyfigureitoutisaresultof whatshehaslearnedwhilerunningherreallifeobstaclecourse,teamwork,perseverance, andleadership.

Championing HUBZoneEquity

Thistrailblazercutherteethon advocatingforHUBZonesinrural communities.Ms.Burnett’sroleinsupporting anadjustmentinthealgorithmsastheyrelated tonon-metropolitancountieswasagamechanger.WhenSBAmadetheevaluationshift, 152countiesthatwerelosingtheirHUBZone statusweresaved,andmorethan300new countieswereaddedtotheHUBZonemap. ThiseffortgaveMs.Burnettafirst-handlook athowadvocacycanreshapeacommunity.

In2023,shewouldlovetoseethe governmenttakecontractperformance locationintoconsiderationwhendeveloping theiracquisitionstrategy.IftheFederal Government’sintentionistoensureequityin theseHUBZonecommunities,preferences needtobegiventothebusinessesresidingin thecommunitieswherethecontractisbeing executed.Ms.Burnettsaid,“Iwantthemto lookattherootsofwhatthisprogramis

supposedtobeaboutandmakesurethattheir acquisitionstrategyoptimizestheprogram's impact.Ifacontractcouldbeperformedatthe contractor’sfacility,considerHUBZone, becausethiscreatesjobsinneighborhoodsthat needthemthemost.”

Michelleandhertwodaughters.Startingfromthe right,Mia,Michelle,andMakayla.

MichelleBurnettandHUBZonesupporters.

Dr.DietraTrent, ExecutiveDirector,WhiteHouse InitiativeonHBCUs,U.S.DepartmentofEducation

Dr.Trentwasstillinhighschoolwhen PresidentJimmyCartersignedthefirst ExecutiveOrderestablishingtheWhiteHouse InitiativeonHBCUs.BythetimeDr.Trenthad beenacceptedintoanHBCU(Hampton University),PresidentReagan’sExecutive Ordersetintomotionagovernment-wideeffort tostrengthenournation’sHBCUs.I’msureDr. Trent’sprayinggrandmother,ateacherinrural HalifaxVirginia,dreamedthather granddaughterwouldchangetheworld,butI wonderifshethoughtitwouldbeinher industry.TheBidenAdministrationcouldnot haveappointedamorepassionateTrailblazer toleadthetransformationoftheWhiteHouse InitiativeonHBCUs.Awomansteepedinher

community–thechurches,educators,and entrepreneurs.AhumbleTrailblazer,Dr.Trent willquicklystatethatsheisnotunique,but rather,ispartofalegacyofHBCUgraduates whocontinuetopassionatelypromotethese institutions.AsIlistentoherexpresshow blessedsheiswithwordslike,“Igettodowhat Iloveeachday;I’mspirituallyledtodothis work;Iwoulddoitforfreethat’showmuchI loveit;andI’mhereforapurpose,”Iwastruly moved.Mythoughtsdriftedtothatquoteby MordecaitoQueenEsther(orHadassah),“And whoknowsbutthatyouhavecometoyour royalpositionforsuchatimeasthis?”

PresidentBidenandhisadministrationhave madesurethatDr.Trenthasthefundingand influencetoacceleratetheadvancementof educationalequity,excellence,andeconomic opportunitiesforallHBCUs.Everyday,this Trailblazermakesclearherintentionstomake goodontheirpromisestotheHBCUsandthe nation.

BackyardTalent

Since85%ofallHBCUsresideina HUBZonearea,HUBZonebusinesseshavean abundanceoftalentintheirbackyards.Dr. Trentbelieveswithsomuchlow-hangingfruit fromHBCUsintheirbackyards,HUBZone businessesshouldbeintentionalabout gatheringthistalenttowinfederalcontracts. Theirabilitytodevelopstrongpartnershipswill liftallboats.SheencouragestheHBCUsand HUBZonebusinessestoleaninandfindthat commongroundneededtodevelopnew productsandservicesforeachofthemtosoar!

Aggressive:Biden Administration’s SupportofHBCUs

TheBidenAdministrationhasdelivered morethan$6Binthelast18monthstothe HBCUcommunity.ThePresident’sFY23 budgetincludes$450Mforresearchatthese universities,alongwithsignificantincreasesin

PellGrantsandcapacitybuildingfor HBCUs.Dr.Trentsaid,“forthefirsttimeinour nation’shistorythisInitiativehasmajor support.”Thatcommitmentisdemonstrated by:

•PresidentBiden’sandVicePresident Harris’scommitmenttoprovidingthe resourcesneededtoeliminatehistoricand systemicdisparities.

•ThebipartisanHBCUPARTNERSAct (HBCUPropellingAgencyRelationships TowardsaNewEraofResultsforStudents Act),whichcommitsfederalagencieswith relevantgrantsandprogramstodevelop plansonanannualbasistoexpandthe participationofHBCUsintheiragency activitiesandtracktheirprogresstowards engagement-relatedgoals.

•ExecutiveOrder14041WhiteHouse InitiativeonAdvancingEducationalEquity, Excellence,andEconomicOpportunity ThroughHistoricallyBlackCollegesand Universitiesday.

Elijah’sStory

Elijah’sstoryhelpedmeunderstandwhyDr. Trentkeepsturningovereveryrockandfiercely pushingtheenvelopetoimprovethenation’s educationalsystemforthedisenfranchised.I listencarefullytoherstoryaboutalittleAfrican AmericanboynameElijah.Dr.Trentmethim yearsagoatanelementaryschoolinthe CommonwealthofVirginia.Elijahlivedwith hiseightoldersistersandmotherinoneofthe fourpublichousingprojectsthatfedthe

overcrowdedpublic-schoolDr.Trentwas attendingthatday.

AsElijahtalkedabouthiswalktoschool, Dr.Trentheldbackhertears,thinkingabout thedrugparaphernaliaandthepossibleyellow tapefromamurderthatchildrenhadtopassto arriveatclassthatday.Insteadoflettingthe tearsflow,shefocusedonElijah’sbeamingface andaskedhimwhathewantedtobewhenhe grewup.Elijahtoldherproudly,“Iwanttobea fireman.”Dr.Trentencouragedhim,butinher heart,shefeltsad.Sheknewthestatistics betterthananyone:childrenlivinginthese situations–warzonesandinpoverty–arenot likelytodoanybetterthantheirparents.This wouldbeElijah’sstoryunlesssheintentionally challengedthestatusquo.

“ThisisthemostintentionalteamIhaveworkedwith.EverybodyinthisDepartment andWhiteHousewantstogetitrightfortheHBCUcommunity.Havinganequity agendathatwillmakeahugeimpactonthelivessomanypeople.I’mreallyproudto beaffiliatedwithsuchanintentionaladministration.Theyarelevelingtheplayingfield bringingequitytodaynottomorrow.”

PhotoSource:Dr.Trent

It'sTime:From“A Moment”to“A Movement”

Dr.Trentdecidedthatmomenttobepartof amovement.“Ithoughttomyselfyouknowmy jobfromnowonistosolvetheeducation problemforElijah.IfIcanfixitforElijah,I canfixitforeverybodyelse.”Shehad personallywitnessedtheimpactofHBCUson neighborhoodslikethisone.Theyprovidedthe connectionsandleadershipthatcouldchange hisstoryaswellasthestoriesofmillionsof others.ThatencounterwithElijahcontinuesto fuelthisTrailblazer’spassionforimmediate change.SheworksdailywiththeBiden Administrationandthethousandsof stakeholderswhounderstandthattheir educationalaccomplishmentsreallymatterto themillionsofElijahsoutthere.

ThisTrailblazerisexcitedaboutthefactthat HBCUsarefinallygettingtheattentionthey deserve.Fordecades,theyhavebeen graduatingthousandsofleadersannuallyin everyindustry,raisingtheGrossNational Income(GNI)fortheUS.Thenational statisticssheprovided,astheyrelatetoAfrican AmericanHBCUsgraduates,weresimply staggering:85%ofthefederaljudges,85%of PhDs,70%physicians,55%teachersand engineers–andthatwasjustfromher highlightreel.Theseinstitutionsarecriticalto thenation’seconomy.ThatiswhytheBiden AdministrationisinvestinginHBCUs–ensuringthatthegenerationstocomeare

resource-rich,intellectually,andeconomically. Dr.Trentsays,“HBCUsareowningtheir greatness,supplyingtheuniquetalentsand perspectivesneededtosolvenationaland globalproblems.Thisisnotamomentbuta movementasHBCUsembracetheirgreatness andshoutitfromtherooftops.HBCUsarehere tohelpeveryindustrywithembedded leadershipskills.”

EverydayHeroes

Dr.Trenthasmillionsofheroes,butthelist startswithhermotherandgrandmother.They weretheoneswhotaughtherthevalueof havingarelationshipwithGodalongwithher moralvalues,includingtreatingpeoplewith kindness.Theydidallofthisbybeingher livingexamples.Hergrandmotherwasthetype ofteacherwhotaught365daysayear.Ifshe wasn'tinthetraditionalclassroom,shewasat thesoftballfield,teachingatthechurch,or workingwithsomeorganizationthatneeded herpassionforempoweringyoungpeople.She madesuretotakehertrailblazing granddaughterwithher.Thentherearethe3 millionschoolteachersintheUnitedStates whogototheirclassroomseverydaydespite thehardships.Theyarecommittedtoteaching thenextgenerationofproblemsolvers.These teachersknowthatthefutureofthenationand theworldrestsintheirhands.Heroeswhoare intentional,enduringthelowpay,workload, crime,oreventheglobalpandemic–theyare theoneswhokeepshowinguptoempowerour youngpeople.

PhotoSource:Dr.Trent

PhotoSource:Dr.Trent

Thistrailblazerstartedhissmallbusiness adventureinLakelandwhenhewas18months old.LakelandisbetweenOrlandoandTampa, Florida,anareathatincludesmultiple HUBZoneCensusTracts.Mr.Mitha’s fatherhadjuststartedhisjourneyto becomeaserialentrepreneur,but likemostpeoplelaunchingstartups,hisfatherhadtoapproach childcarecreatively.Thatresulted inthefathertakinghissononhis dailyruns,handingoutflyers,often atrestareas,promotinghisfirst business,amotel.Mr.Mithaliterally hadafrontseatwatchinghisparents workmorethan100hoursaweekand barelysurviving.Eventually,theirhardwork paidoffandtheythrivedintheirsmallbusiness enterprises.Mr.Mithasawthededicationit takestobeanentrepreneur–tostartwith nothingandgoontobuildsomethinggreat. Hisparentswereabletoeventuallygivebackto thecommunitythatembracedthembycreating jobs,includingMr.Mitha’sfirstbusiness, whichwassellingcandyfromagumball machineinthemotellobby.Thosefewbucks hemadeeachweekfromthatvendingmachine meanttheworldtohim.Thingsweretough backthen,butthemoneyMr.Mithamade

sellinggumballsishisconstantreminderthat ournation’sindustrialbaseiswideandvast. Hepersonallyunderstandsthesacrificesthat smallbusinessownersmakeandiscommitted tofindingwaystoopenmoredoorsforthemat DoD.ForMr.Mitha,theHUBZoneprogramis thebestexampleofwhathappens

BuildingaStrong IndustrialBase

TheCOVID-19pandemicproved,once again,theresilienceofsomanysmall businesses.Forthelast2years,small businesses’agilityhasbeentested,fromsupply chainissuestonavigatingunfairplayingfields. Theirinnovativeprocesses,products,and serviceshavebeencriticaltobuildingastrong industrialbase.Mr.Mitha’steamisdetermined tofindwaystobemoreinclusiveinitsstrategic approachtovendoroutreach.Hisstaffis workingonframeworkstobettercommunicate stakeholders’priorities.DoDisworkingon avenuestobettercommunicatetheirshorttermandlong-termneedssocompaniescan takethatinformationandappropriatelytailor theirbusinessmodels.DoD’sreportonthe StateofCompetitionintheIndustrialBase makesitclearthattheentire Departmentiscommittedtoleveling theplayingfieldforsmall businessesbyidentifyingwaysfor DoDtoincreasecompetitiveness.

Mr.Mithaisonamissionto modernizetheNationalDefense IndustrialBasewithdynamicsmall businesscapabilities.Heislooking forforward-thinkingcompaniesthat canaligntheirproductsandservicesto theDoD’semergingneeds.Thismayseemlike atallordertotheHUBZonecommunity,but Mr.Mithahasahistoryofmakingthings happen.ThelasttimehewasatDoD,hehelped establishacceleratedpaymentstosmall businesscontractors–amovethatPresident ObamaimplementedacrosstheFederal GovernmentasQuickPay.HUBZone contractorsthen—andnow—havebenefited greatlyfromtheacceleratedpaymentschedule of15days.Tothisday,industrypartnersare singinghispraises.Thisonechangehas affectedthetrajectoryofthousandsofsmall

“I’mlookingforforward-thinkingcompanies,whichareabletoaligntheirproducts andservicestotheemergingneedsoftheDoD.” -FarooqMitha

FarooqMitha, DirectoroftheDepartmentof Defense(DoD)OfficeofSmallBusinessPrograms (OSBP)

RenaissanceMan

Hecuthisundergraduateteethontherigors ofapre-medcurriculum,onlytobedrawninto publicservice,governmentpolicy,andpolitics. Mr.Mithastayedthecourselongenoughtoget hisdegreeinInterdisciplinaryHealthSciences beforemovingontoLawSchool.This renaissancemanstudiedArabicbecauseofhis interestinthepoliticsoftheMiddleEastand NorthAfricaregion,andtheUnitedStates’role intheregion.HecompletedaFulbright FellowshipinJordan.Atonepoint,heeven consideredacareerinacademiaorathink tank.Butthatchangedashisinterestin business,politics,andpolicygrew.Afterthis, hestartedhisownlawpractice,andlater,his ownsmallbusiness.

Mr.MithabecameaMiddleEastexpert focusedontheLevantatatimewhenthe UnitedStateswasentangledintheIraqwar andPresidentBushwascallingnationssuchas Syriaapartofthe“axisofevil.”Thiscontext becameMr.Mitha’sclarioncallfor internationalpolicy,nationalsecurity,andthe needtobringbetterunderstandingacross differentculturesandcommunities.Hehad questions,andintheMithafashion,hesought answerstothehardquestions,like:whatare theregionalimplicationsoftheIraqwar?How willthisimpactrefugeesinJordanandSyria? Whataretheprospectsforeconomicreformin theregion?Mr.Mithahasbroughtthissame inquisitivenaturetotheOfficeofSmall BusinessPrograms.

ThisinquisitivenatureisinMr.Mitha’s DNA.Hisfatherhasbeenvolunteeringwiththe AgaKhanDevelopmentNetwork(AKDN), whichprovidesglobalhumanitarianassistance atthegrassrootsleveltoensureself sufficiency afteradisaster.Mr.Mithapersonallyknows whatitisliketoberaciallyorethnically profiled,buthealsoknowswhataprivilegeitis tobepartofanAdministrationthatseesthe valueofdiversityineveryarea.Mr.Mithahas beenempoweringminorityanddisadvantaged communitiesforalongtime,includingcofoundingEmgage,anorganizationdevotedto empoweringMuslimcommunitiesFarooqA. Mitha,Director,OfficeofSmallBusiness Programs,DepartmentofDefenseinAmerica tocreateequitable,knowledgeable,and motivatedcitizens.Heislivinghiswildest dream;heiscreatingalegacywherepolicies

andpracticesbuilttodaywillhopefullybe sustainedfromgenerationtogeneration.Small businessesarebeinggiventheirfairshake–embracedfortheirdiversity.Mr.Mithawants tonotonlybuildcapacitiesbuttohavealegacy ofchampioningsmallbusinessprogramsthat ensurebusinesssustainability.

OtherTransactional Authority(OTA)

Mr.Mithastartedexploringtheagilityof OTAstowardstheendoftheObama Administration.Heparticularlywantedto knowhowDoDcouldleveragetheseauthorities tobetterdevelopandincreaseinnovationand attractnewentrantsintheirdefenseindustry base.Herememberssittingdown,some6or7 yearsago,withtheDefenseAdvancedResearch ProjectsAgency(DARPA)folkstodiscusshow theyusedOTAs.Atthattime,theywere gatheringlessonslearnedforpotentially adoptingpartsoftheirOTAprocessand proceduresforotherorganizationswithinDoD.

Currently,Mr.Mitha’steamisexploring waystofurtherincreasenewentrants,as indicatedinDoD’sStateofCompetitionwithin theDefenseIndustrialBaseAcquisitionand SustainmentReportofFebruary2022.His teamisdevelopingastrategyandprocessto attractnewentrantstothedefensemarketplace byreducingbarrierstoentrytomaketheir

“Mr.Mithaisalwaysthinkingaboutwhat hecandotodaytoimpactthefuture.”

Photo:FarooqMitha

programsbetterandfasterwhilehelpingto infusenewcapabilitiesandtechnologiesinto thedefenseinnovationecosystem.

ThinkTankTricksUpHis

Sleeve

ThegoodnewsfortheHUBZone communityisthatMr.Mithastillhassomeof thoseThinkTankskillsuphissleeve.Heis alwaysthinkingaboutwhathecandotodayto impactthefuture.Howtospurnew technologies.HerememberswhenDARPA supportedModernaduringtheObama Administrationaboutdevelopingamessenger RNA(mRNA)vaccine.DoDfundedthat research,notknowingthatitwouldbean answertotheCOVIDpandemic.Whatmakesa trailblazerdifferentisthattheyarewillingto takeleapsintotheunknownforthesakeof whattheybelieveisagoodidea.

Mr.Mitha’steamisdevelopingframeworks toassistbusinessesinthespeedy commercializationoftheirDoDinnovations. TheSmallBusinessInnovativeResearch (SBIR)andSmallBusinessTechnology Transfer(STTR)programsarebeingreviewed todeterminehowtheycanbemore advantageoustothesmallbusiness community.Note:Allthisworkbytheprogram

officeontheSBIR/STTRprogramwon’tmake adifferenceifthere-authorizationdoesn’tpass thisyear[soremembertoleaninonyour Congressionalrepresentatives].Additionally, Mr.Mithaisstrengtheningthe Mentor ProtégéProgramandProcurement TechnicalAssistanceProgramasimportant businessdevelopmentprogramsatDoDto enhancethesupplychainandsupport innovativecompaniesthatneedhelpin bolsteringtheirreadinesstodobusinesswith DoD.

Photo:FarooqMitha

personandothersisnotalackofstrength,not alackofknowledge,butratheralackofwill.”

BasedinTennessee,whenitcomesto southernhospitality(service,assistance,and charity),HMEisthefirmfolkswanttowork withorfor.Theyhaveahistoryofwhatwecall “homespunservices”thatisservicesthatare ofextremequalityandworththemoney. Thesetrailblazerslivebytwomottos“can’tdo it—can’tstayhere”&“Hustlebeatstalent whentalentdoesn’thustle!”Thisphilosophyis fundamentaltotheirabilitytoprovide exceptionalsupport.

22 20

HenryandMonicaPerry, PresidentandCEO, HME,Inc. TRANSPORTATION &LOGISTICS

ThePerry’strailblazingstrengthhasbeen theirabilitytosuccessfullybalanceprofessional andpersonallives.Theyreceivedthe departmentofHomelandSecuritySmall BusinessAchievementAwardforoutstanding supporttotheCenterforDomestic Preparedness.ThisHUBZonecompanyhas consistentlymitigatedtheimpactofnatural disastersbysupportingmanyofFEMA’ssurge requirementsincludingfacilitymaintenance, custodialservices,firesafety,andcontaminated wastedisposal.

ForyearsthePerry’shavementored underservedcompanies(construction,logistics, transportation,maintenance,janitorial,and warehousing)sharingthevariouslessons learnedtoimprovebottom-lineslike outsourcingservicessuchasHR,payroll, accountinginordertofocusoncoreareasof competencieswhileremainingprice competitive.

Additionally,thePerry’spassionfor assistingunderservedcommunitieshasledto theirnewestventuredesigninganddeveloping affordableapartmentsforlow-incomesenior citizens.

PhotoSource:HenryandMonicaPerryawardphoto (HomelandSecurityinWashington,DC)

Ms.NatalieRosawilltellyouherbestdays aretheoneswhenshegetstoassistwhatshe callsherfamily“HUBZoneBusinesses&8(a)s” dobusinessatUSDOT.ThisMillennial trailblazerlivesbytheslogan“MakeIt Happen.”Ms.Rosahassaid,“ifyou'regonna cancelanythingithastobethatstatementit's neverbeendonesoIcan'tdoit.”Shelets businessownersknowyoucandoit,cancel thoseexcuses.

Ms.Rosahelpsthemfigureitout.Her messagetosmallbusinessownersisconsistent, youcanjumpoveryourhurdles.Youmayhave tostudyhard,askforhelp,andcancelallthe pitypartyinvitations,butyoucandoit!

Asafirst-generationCuban,Ms.Rosais astutelyawarethatshehasaresponsibilityto ensurethattheplayingfieldisbeingleveledfor smallbusinesses.Whenfacedwithphraseslike “thisishowithasalwaysbeendone,”she remindshercolleaguesthatthebusinessworld ischangingdaily,andthismightbeafantastic opportunitytotrysomethingdifferent.

Ms.Rosaisconstantlylisteningandasking thetoughquestions.Forinstance,“Doesour officehavethedataforthisacquisition strategy?Havewebeenabletomeasurethe impactofthisdecisiononthepeopleweare serving?Furthermore,doesthisalignwiththe BidenAdministration’sExecutiveOrderto “LevelthePlayingField?”Whatisrefreshingto heristheleadershipisaskingthesame questions.Theystandreadytoassessthe possibleconsequencesoftheiracquisition strategy.

SmallbusinessesareinMs.Rosa’sblood,by her18th birthdayshewascoordinatingbusiness matchmakingsessionsforhermother’s businessallovertheUnitedStates.Getting first-handexperienceonhowtobedecisive.On afinalnote,rememberjustbecauseithasnot beendonebefore,doesnotmeanitcannotbe donenow,thatisourinvitationto“MakeIt Happen”!

NatalieRosa, SmallBusinessSpecialist,8(a)& HUBZoneProgramAdvocate,OSDBU,U.S. DepartmentofTransportation(USDOT)

PhotoSource:NatalieRosa

PhotoSource:MichelleBurnett

Thistrailblazingteamhasknowneachother formorethan30years.Theymaytellyou differently,buthavingspentsometimewith them,Ibelievethesecrettotheirsuccessis humoranddeeprespectfortheirteam.LMIisa defenseaerospacemanufacturingcompanywith astrongbeliefthatruralcommunitieshave valuableuntappedresources.Theseresourceslie intheskillsandtalentsoftheirpotential workforceandtheHUBZonecontractorswilling togivethemanopportunity.LMIiscreating theseopportunitiesinwell-paying,technologydrivenmanufacturingjobs.

LMIhasarightsizingapproachto technology.Inthelast30years,Mr.Massicotte hasexperiencedthebenefitsanddrawbacksof ITsolutionswithinthemanufacturingindustry. Heremindshiscustomers “wecaneitherutilize technologyorservetechnology,” andLMI choosestoutilizeit.Theybelievethatpartof theirvalueistheirabilitytoprovidethe

appropriatetechnologytoarequirement.LMI determinestheclient’spainpointswhileusing technologytodesigndifferentscenarios, allowingforcustomizedsolutions.

GrowingtheBusiness

HowtogrowLMI?Mr.Massicottesaid, “You'reaskingmetogrowacompany,Ican't growacompanyunlessIgrowacommunity,I can'tgrowacommunityunlessIgrowa person.” Theindividualperformersarea catalysttothatgrowth.LMIbuildstheir workforce,communityoutreach,andcorporate infrastructureinthefollowingways:

•Workforce:Apprenticeshipprogramsand ISO&AS9100training[96%HUBZone participation].

•Communityoutreach:MichiganWorks, WisconsinProcurementInstitute,Northwest MichiganPTAC,GreenForcesCoalition, AerospaceIndustryAssociationofMichigan, andHUBZoneCouncil.

•Corporateinfrastructure:Web-based systems,cybersecurity,andcertifications suchasCMMC.

•Recently,switchingfromanERPsystem toaweb-basedsystem,givingremote workersareal-timeviewofproductsand services.Theteammakesquickand accurateupdates.Anyproblemsare escalatedandtrackedefficiently.

•Embracedcybersecuritypracticesand earlyadoptersoftheCMMC (CybersecurityMaturityModel Certification)about3yearsago.LMIsaw thatsomeoftheirsystems mightbevulnerableto securitybreaches.They tookmeasurestomitigate anyrisk.Thisresultedin LMIbeingfaraheadof mostDoDsmallbusiness contractors.Securityis infusedintoalloftheir processes.

•Certificationslike ISO9001:2015&AS9100 [InternationalAerospace qualitymanagement standard,whichincludes requirementsforaviation, space,anddefense industries].

GovernorGretchenWhitmerwasinL’AnseonAug.18,2021,aspartofherU.Peconomictour.L-r,QuentinMesser,

MarkMassicotte, President, L’AnseManufacturing,Inc. (LMI)

GillesFouquart, Directorof BusinessDevelopment,L’Anse Manufacturing,Inc.(LMI)

ImpactofCOVID

PriortoCOVID,thesetrailblazershad investedintherigoroustrainingneededto becomeaerospace-certified.Uponcertification, LMIobtainedDoDcontractstoprovidecritical aerospacepartstothegovernment.Duringthe pandemic,DoDsentanofficiallettertothem identifyingtheirworkforceasessentialand legallymandatingstafftoremainonthejob. LMItookextrememeasurestoprotecttheircrew fromCOVID.WhenPaycheckProtection Program(PPP)fundingcameavailable,they wereabletodistributeextrafundstotheir workforce.Becausetheyhadinvestedintheir workforceandinfrastructure,LMIwasreadyfor thepandemic.

ApprenticeshipProgram –BlueCollar STEM

Recently,LMIwasfeaturedintheNational ApprenticeshipWeek.Thisisanannualweeklongcelebrationgearedtowardraising awarenessforapprenticeship-basedtraining programsthroughoutMichiganandthecountry asawhole [seevideo]. LMI’spresident,along withseveralconferenceparticipants,were featured.Thisapprenticeshipprogramtrains newpractitionersofatradethroughpaidonthe-jobtrainingandrelatedclassroom instruction.Thetrainingtakesplaceunderthe carefulsupervisionofLMI’sseasonedand knowledgeableprofessionals.Apprentices–afterreceivingthisimpactfultraining–earn industry-andnationally-recognizedcredentials grantedthroughtheU.S.DepartmentofLabor. LMIhasbeenabletobuildworkforcecapacity andsustainabilitythroughthisprogram.

OrdinaryPeopleDoing

ExtraordinaryThings

Everyday

LMI’sheroesarethosewhoputothersin frontofthemselves.Everyoneofthepeopleat LMIhaveatrailblazingstoryoftheirown.They areheroes.BothMr.FouquartandMr. Massicottehavetheprivilegeofleadingagroup ofcreativepeoplewhostrivetodotheright

thing.They'reactuallytheheroes,becausethey dothework;withoutthem,youdon'tneedthe leaders.Mr.Massicottesaid, “Ithinkifweall takethathumbleapproachthatwe'renotthe mostimportantthingintheroom,it's everybody,that'sallowedustodowhatwedo somuchbetter.Ourgrowthobjectivesaremet byourheroesineveryroom.I'mextremely proudofmystaff.Igettoseethemeveryday. I'mjustblessed.Igettoactuallyinteractwith allthesegreatordinarypeopledoing extraordinarythings,prettymucheveryday.”

Taking Responsible Risks

WhatdifferentiatesLMIfromthepackisthat theirtrailblazers“ownit.”Mr.Fouquartbelieves thatwhensomethinggoeswrong,theentire teamneedstoownit.Blameisneitheranoption norasolution.Itdoesn’tmatterifLMIwasa subcontractorandwasnotassignedthetask. Thereisnotimeforfinger-pointing;the customerneedsasolution.LMIwantstobeat thetablecontributingtothesolution.

LMIisnotafraidtoteareverythingupand startallovertogetitright.Thatattitudehas resultedinextremelyloyalcustomers.They knowthatLMIwillcomeupwithasolutionthat works,probablybecausetheyoftensay “Idon't alwaysneedtowin,butIreallydon'tliketo lose.”

AsaHUBZonetrailblazer,Ms.Brooks’ superpowerisbeingasmallbusiness evangelist.Sheisthepersonthatbringsthe goodnewsaboutHUBZones’capabilitiesto boththepublicandprivatesector.Hercurrent rolehasallowedhertobecomeakeyinfluencer inadvocatinganddisseminatinginformation aboutSAIC.Knownforherabilitytoconnect therightHUBZonescompanieswiththeright productsandservicespassionatelyproviding thewisdomneededtopromotetheirbrands.

Advocatingforsmallbusinessesforover20 years,Ms.Brooksisquicktolistenandassist businesseswherevershecan.Youmayhearher say“youdon’tknow,whatyoudon’tknow.” Remindingusofourspecialblindspotsthat maybekeepingusfromblazingourowntrail. Consideredbymanytobeahonestknowledge broker,mentor,andcoach;Ms.Brooks’ followersarecontinuouslyexpandingher networkofcontract-readysmallbusinesses.

Morethananinfluencer,shetrulyisasmall businessevangelistbelievingthatwhenlarge businessescreatepartnershipsleveragingthe innovation,creativity,andexpertiseofsmall businessesthenationistrulystrengthened.As atruthbroker,shediligentlyworkswith

HUBZonestoensurethattheyputtheirbest footforward.Thefootthatwillinfactgetthem ultimatelyacontract.Thisoftenmeansthatshe hastohavethehardconversations,theones werepitchesandmaterialsarethoroughly critiqued.Oneofherfavoritelinesis“youonly haveonechancetomakeafirstimpression,so makesureyourchanceworksforyou.”

Ms.Brookspurposedrivenapproach requiresthesmallbusinessecosystemtostop standingonthesidelinesandstartworkingin thefield.Asatrailblazer,shebelievesrevivalis here!Sheprovidesguidanceandleadershipin smallbusinessrelations,diversesupplier sourcing,geo-politicaladvocacy,andbusiness development.

RitaBrooks, Director,SmallBusinessPrograms CorporateatSAIC

RitaBrooksattheAnnualHUBZoneGolfOuting supportingtheCouncilbysellingmulligans. PhotoSource:HUBZoneCouncil

GloriaLarkin,thewinner,RitaBrooks,AnnaHakobyan,and DianeDempseyatthePitchCompetition,hostedbytheCouncil. PhotoSource:HUBZoneCouncil

, Director,SmallBusiness Programs,BAESystems,Inc.,Intelligenceand Security

DianeDempsey’strailblazingstrengthlies inherabilitytotakeapanoramicviewofthe businessindustryincludingstakeholders, vendors,suppliers,investors,andbuyers.By constantlyanalyzingindustrytrendsto understandorganizations’selectionand implementationpracticeshasenabledMs. Dempseytoguidesmallbusinessesandother smallbusinessliaisons.

WhentheCouncilfirststarted,shewasone ofthefirsttoseethattheHUBZoneprogram createdmeaningfuljobs.Ms.Dempseytook thismessagebacktootherPrimeContractors

andralliedthetroopstosupporttheCouncil’s annualnationalconference.Hervisionofan infrastructurewhereHUBZoneshaveaplaceat thePrimestableisstillgrowing.TheCouncil lastyearattheheightofCOVIDhadmore primecontractorsparticipatinginthematch makingsessionsthaneverbefore.Additionally, Ms.DempseyhasengagedtheCouncilfor internalHUBZoneconnectorevents.

Asaleaderwholeavesapathforothersto follow,wehaveheardhersay“business changeseveryday,shouldn’twe?”Thatisa clarioncallforHUBZonestocontinueto elevatetheirthinkinginareasofmarketsize, globalindustrytrends,share,innovation, demand,growthopportunities,industry revenue,andofcoursetheirfuture.For instance,Ms.Dempsey’sdiscussionsaround CybersecurityMaturityModelCertification (CMMC)andherunderstandingofregulations, politics,andindustryenableshertoguide industryconversationsaroundcybersecurity andthevulnerabilities.

Asatrailblazer,Ms.Dempseywillremind peopleofwhatweattheCouncilcallE3(Eto thethirdpower).ToEnchant–yourcustomers, toElevate–yourservicesandproducts,and finallytoEarn–yourcustomers’respectby providingfairprices,superiorquality,and timelyexecution.Thisisthecompetitive landscapewhichbuildsabetterworldfor others.

DianeDempsey

CrystalCanja, HBCUProgramManager, PartnershipDevelopmentOffice,Frederick NationalLaboratoryforCancerResearch(FNLCR), operatedbyLeidosBiomedicalResearch,Inc.,and sponsoredbytheNationalCancerInstitute

Thistrailblazerhastherareabilitytonot onlybefearlessbuttoempathizewithher portfolio.Whethersheisworkingtoopendoors forHUBZonebusinessesorcreatingunique partnershipswithHistoricallyBlackColleges andUniversities(HBCUs),itisobviousthatshe seekstounderstandandtrulycaresabout them.

ForMs.Canja,itisallaboutaction–somethingthatherfatherexemplifiedinhis journeytobecomeaUScitizen.AUSNavy recruitmentsignatthebusdepotinthe Philippineswasallherfatherneededtoseeto takeimmediateaction.Goingagainstthemore traditionalFilipinobelieftoleaveeverythingto fate,hisfearlessnessledtoa20-year stintintheNavyandalifethat instilledthatsamefearlessnessinhis children.Tothisday,Ms.Canja approachespartnershipdevelopment andHBCUadvocacywitha “whateverittakes”mentality!She knowstherewillbeobstaclesto cross,butMs.Canjaiswillingtotake thatchanceforthegreatergoodof hercommunity.Muchlikeher father,thisGuam-borntrailblazeris moreapprehensiveofmissed opportunitiesthanfailure.

WeaskedMs.Canjawhoher guidesandmentorswere.Shecredits

strong,risk-takingwomenwhoacceleratedher careertrajectory.TheformidableMs.Kathleen HinesandMs.MarieJatskomentoredMs. Canja,fromBAESystemstoDellServicesFederalGovernment,whereshehonedher negotiationskillsthroughmanagingDoD subcontracts.Afterabriefhiatusfromthe workforcetocareforfamily,Ms.Chireda GaitheratCSRA(nowGDIT)providedMs. Canjatheopportunitytoserveprimarilyasa SmallBusinessLiaisonOfficerandmentora then-recentHBCUgraduatefromMorganState University.Ms.WandeLeintuatthe MetropolitanWashingtonAirportsAuthority (MWAA)embracedMs.Canja’sextroversion andchanneleditintoleadingsmallbusiness outreachforprojectssuchasbuildingthenew TerminalAatReaganNationalAirport(DCA). Ms.BeverlyHayesattheFNLCRencouraged Ms.Canjatoexplorediversityandinclusion. Ms.TeannaJonesatDeloittesupportedMs. Canja’sinitiativetopartnerwithHBCUsin federalhealthcontractingopportunities.

Goodforthe Science

Ms.Canjaisnotascientistbyanymeans, butwhatsheis“empathic.”Sheisagreat listenerandtrulybelievesthatrepresentation anddiversityaregoodforscience.Shebelieves firmlythathealthequityhasalarge socioeconomiccomponentandthatall stakeholderscouldandshouldcontributetothe design,research,andimplementation–whetherthroughHUBZoneorHBCUcontracts forclinicaltrials,ormarketingcampaignsin historicallyunderrepresentedneighborhoods. AttheheightofCOVID-19,whenBlackand Browncommunitiesweredisproportionately affectedbythepandemic,itwasstrong communityrelationshipsthatbeganbreaking downthewallsofgovernmentdistrust.Good

PhotoSource:CrystalCanja

partnerships(includingHUBZonesand HBCUs)gotogetherwithgoodscience.

ForgingaDifferent Relationship

Ms.Canjabelievesthatgreatstridescanbe madeinhealthequitythroughHBCUs, HUBZones,andIndustrycollaboration. ThroughtheFNLCR,andwiththefullsupport ofDr.VladimirPopov(Director,Partnership DevelopmentOffice),thatconversationcan includeclinicaltrials,biomedicalresearch, academictrainingopportunities,andtechnical servicesuniquetotheFNLCR.Ms.Canjaison amissiontohelphercolleaguesandthenation understandthatweareallpartofthesame ecosystem;makingroomforeveryoneatthe tablemakesforbetterscience.Everyonehasa contribution–scientific,economic,orboth.

WhenMs.AnnetteOwens Scarboro(Small BusinessProgramManager/HBCU Coordinator,NIH)approachedMs.Canjato askhowHBCUsandHUBZonescouldwork togethertodrivevalueforNIH,thistrailblazer wasreadytorespond.Shesuggestedthat, underFAR52.219-9,HBCUscouldsubcontract toHUBZonestohelpNIHachievetheir statutoryHUBZonegoalsthroughsecondtier subcontracting.Thesetypesofrelationshipsbuiltcapacity,scalability,workforceinfusion, economicdevelopment,andshared interdisciplinarysubjectmatterexpertise.

Withabout80%ofHBCUsresidingin HUBZones,Ms.Canjathinkspairingthetwo makesgoodbusinesssense.Theseacademic institutionshaveaplethoraofSMEsinvarious disciplines,aswellasadiversegroupof students,whowouldjumpatthechancetogain real-worldworkexperience.Ms.Canjasuggests thatHUBZonesshouldfindanHBCUpartner thatalignswiththeircompany’sgoalsforboth businessandcommunity.Onceidentified, HUBZonesshouldbewillingtoputforththe time,patience,andresourcesneededtocreate astrongalliancetohighlightkey discriminators.Thegovernmentandlarge primesarealwayslookingforcohesiveteams thatgiveclientstheservicesandproductsthat willaddvalue.

GoBigOrGoHome

Notsurprisingly,thistrailblazerwouldput herhatintheringforsomeoftheFederal Government’sbiggestcontracting

opportunities.Earlythismonth,whenDefense HealthAgency(DHA)awarded$10Bmilitary medicalresearchIDIQcontracttoherprevious employer,youcouldactuallyhearMs.Canja smiling.Allherhardeffortshadresultedinan HBCUhavingacriticalsubcontractorroleon oneofthelargestIDIQvehiclestodate.How didshedoit?Byreadingeverysinglelineofthe RequestforProposal(RFP)anddiscovering thatHBCUswouldbeconsideredsmall businessesforthiscontract.Thatlanguagewas thegame-changersheneededtobringthe opportunitytoatrustedHBCUpartner.Over thecourseof3months,Ms.Canjawasin constantcommunicationwiththeHBCUand theirHUBZonepartnerwhoassistedinthe proposalprocess.Theprimewassoimpressed withtheHUBZonecompany’sresponsiveness thattheyawardedtheHUBZonewithafirsttier subcontractingspotonthesameteam.Whenit wastimetoproposeaHealthEquitystory,it almostliterallywroteitself.Thegoodnewsfor HBCUsandHUBZonesisthatwhenonedoesa greatjob,itincreasesopportunitiesforall.Ms. Canjahasaninnatebeliefthatwithalittle creativity,alotofgrit,andagoodsenseof humor,greatideascanbecomeanalmost immediatereality.Shedoesn’tcomefroma mindsetthatthereisafixedpie,butonethat believesineveryonechippingintobakea biggerpie.Herfinalwordswere,“Ibelieve whole-heartedlythatbridgingdisadvantaged, underrepresentedcommunitiesthrough HUBZonesandHBCUcollaborationsis100% therightthingtodo.So,Idon’tbelievethe naysayers.”Therightpartnershipsalwayspay off!

Photo:CrystalCanja

Dr.Cardbelievesitisaboutacompany’s differentiators,theiruniquecapabilities, differentexperiences,andconnectionsthat enablethemtosucceed.ThisTrailblazergets businessestofocusontheirstory–ormaybe weshouldsaytheir“song”–sothateachlive performancegetsastandingovation.

PowerHour

PowerHourwasavirtualchatlaunched atthebeginningofCOVIDbyDr.Card’s predecessor,Ms.LudmillaParnell,to connectGDITwiththesmallbusiness community.Dr.Cardwillquicklyadmitthat thisweeklysessionisherfavoritetimeofthe week,andsheissogratefulforMs.Parnell’s legacy.Theconversationsherteamhaswith thesmallbusinesscommunityhelptolevel thecontractingplayingfieldatGDIT.These sessionsarewheresuccessstoriesareshared andbusinessrelationshipsareforged.

ThePowerHourmay havestartedasaresult ofCOVIDbuthas becomevitaltosmall businessgrowthat GDIT.Sessionslike thesearecontinuingto fosterunderstandingof navigatingthefederal

workspacewhileenablingandnurturing long-lastingrelationships.Anyonewhois interestedintalkingtothesmallbusiness officeisinvitedtoattendthesemeetings. Businessesreturnweekly,knowingthat GDITisconstantlyaddingmorecontentto theircorepresentationandinvitingspecial guestslikeGDITprogrammanagers,federal OSDBUleaders,andsmallbusiness associations.

Whenasmallbusinessasks, “doyouhave anysubcontractingopportunities?” The answerisalways“yes,GDIThastonsof subcontractingopportunities.”Thisquestion alwaysleadstoadeeperdiscussion. Whatdo youprovide? Whoisyourfederalcustomer? Doyouhavecustomerintimacy? This Trailblazerhascreatedanecosystemin whichGDITandbusinessessharelessons learnedandbestpracticesforbusiness growth.Dr.Card’steamhasoftendispelled themyththatonesizefitsallwhile encouragingcompaniestocustomizetheir solutionsandservicestotheneedsofGDIT stakeholders.The“straighttalk”approach hasresultedintheorganicgrowthofPower Hourattendance.

GreatCapabilities Statements

WhenHUBZonecompaniesmeetwith Dr.Card’steam,theyneedtohavethebest “WhyUs?”storythatdescribestheir capabilities,customizedfortheGDITgroup theywishtosupport.Sheencouragesthem tofirstdotheirhomework,suchas researchingcurrentandexpiringGDIT contractsonpublicinformationwebsiteslike theFederalProcurementDataSystem

RobynCard, DirectorofSmallBusiness Relationships,GeneralDynamicsInformation Technology(GDIT) PhotoSource:HUBZoneCouncil

(FPDS)tofigureoutwhateachgroupssells andwhatgapstheyhave.Thetrajectoryofa HUBZone’sgrowthisacceleratedwhenthe capabilitiesstatementistargetedtothe customer.Whatspecificallycanthe HUBZonecompanyprovidetomeettheneed beingpresentedintheStatementofWork thatdifferentiatesthemfromtheir competitors?Whenacompanyprovidesa value-addedcapabilitiesstatementtoGDIT’s SmallBusinessteamthatistargetedtoa specificopportunityorcustomer,theright connectionandintroductioncanbemade withinthecompany.

Great Reputation

HavingagreatreputationwithinGDITis veryimportanttoherteam.Thisteamhas thereputationofonlymovingcompanies forwardwhentheycansupportthespecific missionofaGDITgroup.Dr.Card’steam getsthegreatestjoywhentheyhaveavalue propositionthatallowsthemtomakea referralandthesmallbusinessbecomesone oftheirsubcontractors.Justliketheresearch theHUBZonebusinessdoes,GDIT stakeholdersexpectthesmallbusinessteam topre-qualifycompaniesbeforecontacting theiractualprogrampersonnel.Theirgood reputationhasbeenbuiltonmakingthese greatconnections.

ItisaMarathon

businesscommunitytoremainhumble, patient,andtenaciousintheirapproachto theirtargetedcustomerbase.Theirjourney mayhavevalleys,hills,andmountaintops, butiftheycontinuetolearnwhilestayingon thetrailthey’llsurelywin.

Thesmallbusinessfederalindustrialbase hasrecentlygottensmaller.Itneedsmore companiesthatprovidegreatservicesand productstosupportfederalcontracts.Itis importantthatHUBZonesbuildtheir infrastructure,expertise,talent,and relationshipstomeetthesegrowingneeds. ThereisspaceformoreHUBZone companies–becausethereareawholelotof problemstobesolved.Justlikethe pandemicredefinedessentialworkersforthe world,theHUBZonebusinesscommunity doingthatforthenation.

ThisTrailblazer’sfinalwordswere, “Surroundyourselfwithgoodpeople. Don'tbeafraidtohirefolkswhoare smarterthanyou.Becauseifyou're leadingthem,that'sjustgoingtoliftthe teamhigheraswellasthecompany,the community,andthenation.”

Dr.Cardsaid, “It’saMarathon,nota Sprint.” ShewishestoremindtheHUBZone

PhotoSource:RobynCard

Asthechair,Mr.Smithisblazingatrailasa servantleadertotheFederalOSDBU stakeholders.Hehasthecriticaltaskof ensuringthatsmallbusinessdecisionsenacted attheexecutive,legislative,andjudiciallevels areembracedbytheOSDBUCouncil.Heworks withOSDBUleaderstoassurethatall reasonableandpracticableopportunitiesfor smallbusinessparticipationareidentifiedand realizedbyprovidingtheadvocacythepublic deserves.Fosteringanenvironmentwhere

everyoneisofservice,listeningandhelpingto steerinthesamedirection;wherebytranslating theregulationstoultimatelyservethecitizens ofthisnation.AsaHBCUgraduateanda seasonedengineerheoftenremindshis colleagues,“wecan’tsitaroundadmiringthe problemitistimetobeofserviceforothers.” Thatcommitmenthasbeenhonedoverhis30 yearsofcivilserviceofhelpingwarfighters comebacksafely.

Astheultimatetrailblazer,Mr.Smithhas takenthatsamemilitaryspirittothenation’s smallbusinesscommunity.Hesaid,“small businesses’mostimpressiveweaponsaretheir agility,innovation,andpricing.Theyneedto continuetosharpentheirpencils,pivotquickly andprovideexceptionalservice.”Additionally, rememberyouwillnevergetasecond opportunitytofail,youmustdeliver.The governmentwantsthegoodsandservicesatthe righttimeandattherightlevel.

FortheNavy, COVIDpandemic presentedproblems andopportunitiesfor HUBZonebusinesses. Asthedemandfor supportsurgedthe HUBZoneswhichwere abletoquicklyrampup tomeetthisincreased volumedidwell.Mr.Smithhopesthetakeaway fortheHUBZonecommunityisitisallabout delivery;so,worktogether toincreasepopulation, capacity,whilestillkeeping thecostdown.Our governmentisstrengthened whenHUBZonebusinesses providestrategicadvantages whichbenefitour warfighters.

JimmySmith, Director,ChairofOSDBUCouncil &OfficeofSmallBusinessPrograms,Department ofNavy

TheresaClark, Director,SmallBusiness Programs,AirForceDistrictofWashington

Arealtrailblazerknows,tostandtallyou needsomeone’sshoulderstosupportyou. TheresaClarkwillquicklytellyouherheroes areheroldersisters.Oneisahospicenurse, wholovesherjobdespitethepayand paperwork.Hersistercontinuestomakesure herpatientstransitionwiththedignityweall deserve.Theothersisterwasthefirstpersonto tellMs.Clarkthatshecoulddoanything.She wouldsay“setyourgoalsandthengooutand achievethem”.Theyarebothhardworking,

passionate,tenacious,andsmart.This isprobablywhyHUBZonebusinesses haveaspecialplaceinherportfolio. Shetellsthecontractingofficers(CO) allthetimetorememberHUBZone businessesimpactcommunities aroundthenation.

Theycreatejobsandhelpto revitalizeneighborhoods.Thatiswhy whenCOsneedsupportinconductingindustry research,shecountsontheExecutiveDirector, Ms.Burnetttoquicklyprovideadatadriven HUBZonesolutionstotheAirForce.Building HUBZoneCapacityisparamounttoMs.Clark. Herroleasasmallbusinessadvocatehas allowedhertocollaboratewithCOsand industrypartnerstofurtherincreasetheDoD industrialbase.Sheisconstantlyworkingto leveltheprocurementplayingfield,whetherit istochampionmarketresearchwithinDoDor ensuringthatsmallbusinessescreate comprehensivecapabilitystatements.Asthe ultimatetrailblazer,Ms.Clarkislaserfocused onuncoveringskilledsmallbusinessresources throughoutthenationbyadvocating acquisitionstrategiesthatleverageappropriate vendors.Additionally,shemakessurethatDoD obtainstherightvendorwiththeright capabilitiestomeetthemissionofour warfighters.Insummary,Ms.Clark’sfinal wordstotheHUBZonecommunity“isnotto quitandtherearelotsofresourcesoutthere, usethem[SmallBusiness(af.mil)].”

KetahShah, President,Intercontinental ConstructionContracting.Inc.(ICC)

Thistrailblazerisbestknownforbuildinga thrivingHUBZonebusinesswhileremaining theultimatepeacemaker.Whenwequestioned Mr.Shahonhowhewasabletoaccomplish thisfeat,hetoldusaboutoneofhisheroes, SardarVallabhbhaiPatel,whoisconsidered oneofthefoundingfathersoftheIndian Republic.Mr.Patelwasknownforsuccessfully integratingmorethan550princelystateswith theIndianunionwithgreatskillandmasterful diplomacy.Helaterindicatedthatifhisrole model,Mr.Patel,couldbeapeacemakerfacing suchunbelievablechallenges,thenmaybehe couldexhibitthatsamebehavioratICC.

EmpoweringHisEntire HUBZoneWorkforce&

Family

Mr.Shahstronglybelievesinthe missionoftheHUBZoneProgram. Therefore,hethinksofprogram participantslikefamily,always puttingthemfirst.Mr.Shahhasbuilt alivinglegacypayingbacksocietyfor whathiscompanyandfamilyhave received.Tothatend,ICChas implementedanunusualemployee benefitsprogram.Theirprogram includesgenerouseducational benefitsforboththeemployeeand theirentirefamily.ICChas establishedafamilytrustthat providesscholarshipstostudentsfor

highereducation–evengraduatedegrees. DuringtheCOVID-19pandemic,Mr.Shah’s workforcewasonceagaintreatedlikefamily. Salariesremainedthesamedespitecontractual workstoppages.Workerswhowereunableto workbecauseofCOVIDwerestillpaidtheirfull salary.Thistrailblazer’sworkforcewas shelteredfromtheeconomicfactorsthatmany individualswithinHUBZonecommunities experienced.Mr.Shahevenextendedsimilar gracetohissubcontractors.

RacingtotheContract FinishLine

Severalyearsago,Mr.Shahreceiveda contractwiththeU.S.ArmyfortheWestPoint MilitaryAcademy.Thiscontractwouldturnout tobeoneofhismostdifficultraces.WhenICC submittedthebidinAugustofthatyear,they wouldhavehad8monthstodeliverthekitchen renovationsandinstallnewequipment.The fundingwasdelayeduntilearlyNovember,but thedeliverydateofMarch31st remainedfixed. Ratherthantelltheclientthiswasimpossible (particularlybecausehisstaffhadplanned vacationsinDecemberandJanuary),histeam rosetotheoccasion.Mr.Shahknewthatthe typicalleadtimefortheequipmentthe customerrequestedwas16ormoreweeks.His teamonlyhad23weekstodeliver.He negotiatedatalosswithavendorwho committedtoa12-weekdeliveryperiod.His staffcanceledtheirvacationsandworked throughChristmasandNewYear’stoexecute thecontract.ThetaskwasfinishedonMarch 11th,muchtotheshockofthecustomer.The customeradmittedthattheyneverthoughtit couldbedone,buthadtopushforthe Academy’sgraduation.ICCreceivedan ExcellentCPARsratingandhashadcontracts

LeonardM.Holzworth, President/CEO, InternationalProgramGroup(IPG)Washington

Thistrailblazerisallaboutthesafetyand securityofourwarfighters.Mr.Holzworth’s HUBZonecompany(InternationalProgram Group(IPG))isknownformakingthe impossible,possible.Fromhavingfactory manufactureandshipmaterialsfor5,000 portableandmodularshelterPanelsinless thanaweektodesigningandimplementinga patentfortheSustainableRangeShelter(SRS) forlive-firetraining,histeamhasnevermissed adeadline.Iguessitdoesn’thurtthatMr. Holzworthcancommunicatehisappreciation forjobswelldoneinatleastfive(5)different languages.Hehasbeenrecognizedatthe highestlevelsofgovernmentmorerecently havingaflagflownovertheU.S.Capitolinhis honorforhistirelessPatriotismtotheUnited StatesofAmerica.Ifthatwasn’timpressive enough,thistrailblazerreceivedtheOrderof Merit-IssuedbySovereignMilitaryOrderof

theTempleofJerusalem.(KnightsTemplar) ForservicetoIraqiChristiansindanger.

Whenitcomestounderstandingtheethos ofanation,theycallonthistrailblazerto designandpopulateanentirecommunity.One oftheirprojectsincludedtheIPGPrivate MilitaryTrainingComplexinthewestcoast mountainscoveringover10,000-acresof desert.IPGwasabletodesignandstand-up 480buildingstorecreateanIraqicity.This effortallowedourtroopstoimmerse themselvesintheterrain,language, temperature,religions,customs,garments, food,shops,andpeople.

Mostimportantly,IPGhired100sofArab Americanstosupportthetrainingofour troops,includingIraqiRolePlayers.Manyof theseemployeeslivedinHUBZone communities.IPGbroughtIraqiexpertsfrom alloverthenationincludingtranslators,chefs, teachers,andguidestoprovideourtroopswith thetoolsandexpertiseneededtonavigatethe Iraqterrain.Thenthereweretheteamsfor logistics,defense,housing,sanitation, healthcare,vehicles,demolition,andmuch more.

Thissimulatedcityprovidedthesituational culturalawarenessourtroopsneededtokeep safeandsecure.Simplethingslikehowtoeat localfoodscouldmeanthedifferencebetween makingafriendoranenemy.WhatMr. Holzworthremembersmostaboutthis experienceishowthemenandwomenrallied toensurethatourservicemenunderstoodthe possiblepitfallsoftheirfutureIraq deployments.Heexpressedbothgratitudeand sadnessaboutIPGAdvisor,LtGenCharles Pitman,USMC(Ret).whichservedontheIPG BoardofAdvisors.LtGenPitmanretiredfrom theMarineCorpsafterthirty-eightyearsof serviceandrecentlypassedawayin2020.

LeandraCain, CEO,HurricaneAerospace Solutions(Hurricane)

ThisAerospaceSolutionsproviderhasmade theword“hurricane”somethingtosmileabout. Ms.CainisaTrailblazerwhowakesupeach morningdeterminedtomakeadifferencefor herstaff,community,andclients.She experiencesthedailybenefitsoftheright “Hurricane,”andhowithastransformedthe HUBZoneneighborhoodinwhichshelivesand works.Foryears,Hurricanehasbroughta thunderstormofdiversitytotheAviation Industry,withover50%womenmanagers. Hurricane’sstafflooksmoreliketheUnited Nations,witheveryrace,culture,andreligion workingtowardthesuccessofthecompany.

Ms.Cainremembersapivotalmomentin Hurricane’sgrowth:thedayshewenttothe KennedySpaceCenterandlearnedaboutthe HUBZoneprogram.Whenshereflectsonthe positiveimpactherHUBZonecompanyhashad locallyandglobally,shehasthismessageto otherCEOs. “Don’teverquit.Ithinkwhenyou understandwhatitis,andthatit’spersonal,

itspurposeisabiggerpurpose,thatdrivesthe business,nottheHUBZonecheckintheboxto winbusiness.NoteverypersonHurricane hiredhasbeenasuccessbuttheonesthatI havehiredandchangetheirliveswhetherthey arestillemployedwithustodayortheymoved ontootheropportunitiesthatissomething that’slife-changingforme,becauseIknowI’ve madeadifferenceandthecompanymadea difference.”

PrinciplesBehind HUBZone

Ms.CainisnotonlyaTrailblazer,buta passionateHUBZoneEvangelist.Whenshe learnedabouttheHUBZoneprogramthat faithfuldayattheCentershestartedboth searchingfortherightpropertyforher companyandsharingthegoodnewswithher fellowentrepreneurs–businessownerswho wantedtodisruptaneighborhoodforthegood ofthenation.CompanieslikeHurricaneare helpingbuildtheeconomicinfrastructureof theUSbycreatingsustainablejobsandskill setsthathelppeopleindistressedcommunities thrive.

Ms.Cain’sevangelisttalentshaveextended tofederalacquisitionstakeholders.Shehas hadtheopportunitytospeakone-on-onewith smallbusinessliaisonofficersaboutthe benefitsoftheprogram.Ms.Cainisoften shockedathowunawaretheyareofthe commitmentHUBZonecompanieshaveto theircommunitiesandtheeconomicimpacts thatjustonefederalcontractawardwillhave ontheworkforce.Shedispelsthenotionthat theHUBZoneProgramismerelyadiversity programbyeducatingdecisionmakersonthe valueandtheeconomicimpactofthe program.

PhotoSource:HurricaneAerospaceSolutions

TrailblazersinEvery HUBZoneCommunity

Itisrefreshingtoknowthatonepersoncan makeadifference.Ms.Cainisgratefulthather companyismadeupofdozensofthese individuals.Justlikeherstaffhaslearnedfrom her,sheisconstantlylearningfromthem.Her biggestlessonhasbeentonotplaceanylimits onwhatherstaffcanlearnoraccomplish.Ms. Cainhaswitnessedmarvelousgrowthwhenall employeesarepartoftheprocess,fromhigh schoolinternstocorporateexecutives,whether theyhavebeenintheaviationindustryfor decadesorjusthours.

Oneofhersuccessstoriesincludesa gentlemanwhostartedasamaintenance worker.Hewaseventuallypromotedto managingHurricane’swarehouse.Whatwas evenmoreimportantaboutthis“one”wasthat hetoldtheownerthathewascomputer illiterateandwasnotsmartenoughtoeverdo evenemail.Bythetimeheretired,hewastruly computerliterate.Thisgentlemanhadeven learnedhowtouseaviationsoftware,including MilSpecpackaging.

AsaDoDcontractor,thepandemicwasno timetopanic.Ms.Cainwasgratefulthat duringthepandemic,Hurricanedidn'thavethe heartburnorlaborpainsthatsomebig businessesandmediumbusinesseswere experiencing.Hurricanewaspreparedfora smoothtransition.Theyquicklyputinplace measuresthatwouldkeeptheirstaffworking. Inlessthan48hours,Hurricane’semployees hadthetoolstocontinueworkingfromhome, fromthehardwaretothecollaborativetools neededtosupportthemission.

Whenthedecisionwasmadeforeveryone tocomebackon-site,peoplewalkedintoa state-of-artfacility.Theirworkstationshad multiplecurvedmonitors,phones,andsocial distancingthatgaveeveryonethetoolstoexcel. Theywerereadytogo.Itwasliketheyhad neverleft.Today,Hurricanehasintegratedonsiteandremoteworkintoahigh-performance collaborativeenvironment.

PandemicDidn’tMean

Panic

Whentheglobalpandemicstarted,alotof companiesbegantopanic.Theywerecutting staffandresources.TheonlythingMs.Cain couldthinkaboutwashowshecouldavoid disruptingherstaff.Everyday,shewould thinkabouthersister’stenacityandtheir childhoodinthesmallblue-collarcommunity ofRochester,NewYork.Theyhadbothseen industriesfallandriseagainbasedonaspirit that“didn'tgiveup.”Duringthistime,our HUBZoneTrailblazermadeoneofitsmost costlydecisions:toincreaseemployeebenefits atatimewhenshecouldn’tbesurebusiness wouldbegrowing.Ms.Cainwantedtoensure thatnofamilyhadtofaceanyadditional hardships.

PhotoSource:HurricaneAerospaceSolutions

MorrisDavis, President,M.Davis&Company, Inc.(MDAC)

Mr.DavisleadsaPhiladelphiabasedHUBZonecompanythathasexcelledinhelping theirclientsinthefederal,state,andprivate sectorsprovidequantitativeandqualitative servicesthroughresearchandevaluationto someofthemostdisenfranchisedpeoplein America.Americanswhosecapacityhasbeen hinderedduetoincome,education, transportation,health,food,insurance,age, ability,housing,orlanguage.MDAC’s processesandsystemsgatheractionabledata

onsocialandeconomicdeterminants toassisttheirclientsinmitigating thesedisparities.

ForMDAC,trailblazingmeans gettinginthetrenches,notbeing afraidofinteractingwiththe respondentsinordertogather meaningfuldata.Forinstance,they developedamanagementinformation systemthatintegratedhealthriskassessments intothemanagementandoperationaldecisionmakingformultiplehealthplans.Overthe years,MDAC’swayofcriticalthinkinganddata gatheringhasignitedthecareersoftheir workforcetoconsidergreatereducationaland employmentopportunities.Thesefuture trailblazersweretrainedtogather,analyze,and createprocessestodetermineimpactson underrepresentedcommunities.

COVIDdidnotslowthemdown,instead theysupportedtheNewYorkCityEconomic DevelopmentCorporationintheirresearchand evaluationofthePandemicResponseInstitute LatinoandIndigenous/AfricanAmerican takeholdersFocusGroups.MDACsoughtinput fromcommunityleaderstoidentifycritical gaps/challengesinNYC’spublichealthsystem (bothbroadlyandwithrespecttoCOVID-19), strengthstobuildupon,andpotentialrolesthe PandemicResponseInstitutemightplayto supporttheneedsofcommunitiesand community-basedorganizationsacrossNYC.

Ms.ShirleyBaileyhasbeendubbedthe QueenofCapacityBuilding.Whenshejoined theCouncilmuchlikealltrailblazers,she pulledherchairuptothetableand immediatelystartedworking.Overthepasttwo decades,shehasbeenabletobuildcapacityat variouslevels.AsbothaHUBZonebusiness ownerandaveryactivememberofthe HUBZoneContractorsNationalCouncil,Ms. Bailey,hasbeeninstrumentalinadvocatingfor andpromotingtheHUBZoneProgramforover twentyyears.

Asoneofthemosttenacioustrailblazersthe Councilhaseverencountered,Ms.Bailey,is mostproudoftherelationshipssheasforged. WorkingcloselywiththeSmallBusiness Administration,bothasacontractortothe HUBZoneProgramOffice,andastheHUBZone CouncilBoardChair,Ms.Bailey,alongwith anotherTrailblazer,AnnSullivanofMadison

ServicesGroup,gainedbipartisan Congressionalsupportforimprovementstothe HUBZoneProgram.Itwasalongroad,butwith leadership,perseveranceanddedication, significantlegislativeandregulatory improvementstotheHUBZoneProgramwere incorporatedintothe2017NationalDefense AuthorizationAct.WithMs.Baileyatthehelm, theHUBZoneCouncilisdeterminedto maximizetheimpacttheHUBZoneProgram hasonournation’smosteconomically distressedcommunities.

Ms.Bailey’sfather,aproudMarine,always toldherthatbeingaleaderwasnotbasedon genderandthatallthingsarepossibleifyou haveastrongworkethic,determination,a willingnesstotakerisks,andmostimportantly servant-leadership.AsCEOofSummitFederal Services,LLC,aruralbased,HUBZone certified,ProfessionalandTechnical ManagementServicescompany,Ms.Bailey strivestoembodythesetraitseachandevery daytopositivelyimpactthelivesofher employeesandthecommunitiestheyliveand workin.

ShirleyBailey, CEO,SummitFederalServices, LLC(SFS)

(Fromthelefttotheright)SamLe(SBA),BrucePurdy (SBA),LoriGillen(SBA),MichelleBurnett(HCNC), AntonioDoss,andShirleyBailey(SFS)

ShirleyBailey,JimBailey(husband),ElainePepe (mother),andFrankPepe(father)

Thistrailblazerhasspentalifetime encouragingbusinessowners,community leaders,andindividualsto“betterthefuture.” Ms.Jouejatibelievesitisnotenoughto encouragethesegroups–youmustbewilling toassistthemindiscoveringthetruthandthe toolstoblazetheirjourney.

Catalyst

Owningandoperatingaproposal developmentcompanyforclosetotwodecades hastaughtMs.Jouejati,anAmerican-born Syrian,whatreallymatterswhenbuilding capacityandsustainabilityforthejourney.She willtellyouthatittakeseveryfacetof communication,thefirstofwhichisbeingfree. Thatis,ourabilitytolistenactivelywithour mind,body,andsoul.Whatistheperson saying?Whataretheynotsaying?Arethey passionate?Dotheyhaveastorytotell?Isit

believable?Dotheylineupwithyourcore values?Therightanswerstothesequestions ledhertosuccessfullyhelpHUBZonesand othersocioeconomicbusinesseswincontracts intheFederalandstateandlocalspace.Ms. Jouejaticoachesherclientstogoforward, succeed,andthrive,knowingthey'renotjust winningacontractforthemoneybut empoweringtheircommunitywithwell-paid jobs.Tothisend,thesecondfacetof communicationisdocumentation.Sheworks withcompaniestocreatewhatwecall“digital gold,”compliant,clear,andcompelling proposals.

Winning

Shewouldbethefirsttosay,towinyou mustbewillingtoworkhardtogoafteryour dreams,pushpastthenaysayers,andcreatea teamoftrustedpartners.Partnersthathavethe sameethos.Whenyoulose,turntoeachother forsupportandunderstanding.Failureisonly abadthingwhenyoudon'tlearnfromitand takeresponsibilityforyourpart.Leveragethe inputfromeverylossandeventuallythat “digitalgold”willcascade,producingan avalancheoftherightwinsforyourbusiness andyourcommunity.

Ms.Jouejatihaswitnessedfirst-handthe impactofcollaborativeworkenvironments. Leaderswhoencouragetheirstaffandare willingtoleanonthemandothersforanswers. Shehasseenthemmakethehard“nobid” decisionswhentheydon’thaveacompelling story;tobidwouldwastevaluabledollarsand time.Leaderswholiveinthebravespace.They arecourageousinsayingNOnow,andthis providesthemtheresourcestosayYESlaterin theirjourney.ThosearethetrailblazersMs. Jouejatiishonoredtosupport.Theseleaders neverfail;theyhavecreatedanecosystemthat investsinpeople:theonesprovidingservices andtheonesreceivingthem.

Activism

Ms.Jouejatiwilltellusallthatactivismis everybody'sjob.Whetheryou’rean internationalleaderorasmallbusinessowner withoneemployee–yourself.Itiseveryone’s jobtopromotethetruth;tointervenein technical,social,political,economic,or environmentalreform;tobetheonethat ignitespositivechangeinyourworkplace, community,andnation.

RafifJouejati, CEO,Co-founderandVisionary,P3 Solution

Sheisastrongsupporteroffederal procurementactivism,pushingforcontract vehiclesthatleveltheplayingfieldsothat communitiesofcolorareincludedandwellrepresented.Thatistosay,companiesthat provideinnovativetechnicalsolutionswhile championingdiversityandinclusion.They understandthatthesolutiontotheirnext problemmaybeinArab-Americans,Minority, Muslims,Atheists,orImmigrantswaitingtobe hiredandeagertoimparttheirknowledgeand experience.Morerecently,Ms.Jouejatihas takenhertrailblazingtointernationalissues andhumanrights.Communitiesneedthetools toempowerthemeconomically,politically, andsocially.AtthestartoftheSyrian Revolutionin2011,shebegancampaigningfor equality,justice,andfreedomforSyrians.Last year,shelaunchedtheMuseumofActivism withthefirst everSyriaexhibitinGermany. Thedisplayoforiginalartifactsfromthatwartorncountry,includingaSyrianperspectiveon theGeorgeFloydevents,encouragespeopleof allwalksoflifetotakeactioninthedefenseof humanrights.Ms.Jouejati’snextprojectis “WomenRising”[showcasingwomenwho haverisenabovetheirtraditionalupbringing andwhomustconstantlyhelpothersovercome theirculturalandethnicbiases].

PowertoUnlearn

WhenMs.Jouejatifirstintroducedthe word“unlearn”inmyinterviewwithher,Iwas puzzled.Sheexplainedthatourgrowthin businessisoftenbasedonwhatweperceiveas ourtruth.Thenwhathappensiswebaseour proposals,businessmodels,andteam interactionsonthattruth.Butthepowerto unlearnrequiresbusinessleadersandtheir stafftodigdeeper,doingtheduediligenceto weedoutmisinformationanddisinformation. Whatbiaseshaveledustomissthemark? Whatknowledgeaboutabid,aninfluencer,or evenacompetitorhasshapedyourjourney

Photofrom:https://www.museumofactivism.org/copy-ofsyria-6

improperly?Thepowerofunlearningallowsus tocrushstereotypes,andthatenablesour teamstosoar.

Startwiththerealtruthasyourfoundation, discoveritforyourself.Therightfoundation requiresconstanttraining.Allofusareina continuouslearningmode,solet’slearn togetherandteacheachotherour “unlearning's.”Stayopentothepossibilitythat therearenewwaysofdoingthings.Wecan unlearnnegativebehaviors;wecanunlearnthe knowledgethatotherswantustohaveand beginlearningourtruth.Leanintothis evolutionaryprocess.Don’tfightit;itis ongoing.Ms.Jouejatiwouldaskourreaders, oncetheyunderstandthis“powertounlearn,” toapplyittoeverything;createabetterfuture forthisgenerationandthenext.

Photofrom:https://www.museumofactivism.org/copy-of-syria-6

Trailblazer Extraordinaire

SpeakingwithLilyMillinerislikehavinga spiritualencounter.Hernarrativereflectsso muchofwhatweallneedtolearn,andshetells herstorywithemotionandtruth.Herjourney hasbeenfilledwithblessingsandlessons learnedthatshehascarriedthroughouther career.Asachild,Lilywasalwaysa perfectionist,an“A”studentwhowantedtobea doctor–untilshegottouniversity.Suddenly, highgradesbecamehardertocomeby,andshe hadtoconfrontwhatwouldbeamongthemost importantlessonsofherlife:acceptingthe challengeofbeinguncomfortable.Lilysays, “I learnedthatevenwhenyou’renotgettingA’s,if you’redoingyourbestandpursuingyour passion,youcan’tletthegradeaffectwhether ornotyoustayoncourse.Whenwe’re perfectionists,wetrytostayinacomfortable space.ButI’velearnedtheimportanceof‘being you,’evenifitmeansyou’reuncomfortable. Actually,it’sokaytobeuncomfortable.” Andas Lilynotes,gettinguncomfortablemayjustturn upthatexcellence,thatinnovation,orthatnext solutionthatcanbenefitoursociety.

AMentorandTeacher WhoSays,“BeYourBest Self”

Lilyenjoysworkingwithandteachingyoung people.She’sdonethatmostofherlife,andshe

particularlyenjoyscollaboratingwithHBCUsas youngtalentemergesandjoinstheworkforce. ThisTrailblazer’sadvicetoyoungstudentsand professionalsontheriseis, “Showupinyour greatness,andifit’snotevaluatedthewayother peopleevaluateit,that’sstillfine.Don’tlookat theworldandhowthey’reevaluatingyou,askif youarebeingyourbestself?Areyoushowingup inyourgreatness?Wakeupeachmorningand embracethat.”

Lilyembracespreciselythat.ThisTrailblazer guidesus;sheexplains,patientlyandlovingly (becausethat’swhosheis),thatonceyoureally startembracingyourtruth,youcanbein uncomfortableroomsandovercomestereotypes andpatternsofexpectedbehavior.Lilycautions thatinembracingourtruthandbeingourbest selves,wedon’tneedtolookacertainway,dress acertainway,orbeacertainway. “Youcanbe whoeveryouwanttobe,andyoucandoityour way.Takerisks,beyourselves,andrejoicein that.“

LifeisaSmorgasbord

“Doyougotothebanquetandonlytrythe franksandbeans?No!Surpriseyourself;try newthings.” ThisisoneofLily’smantrasasshe challengesyoungpeopletoexperiencethe wealthofdifferentoptionsthatmoreavailable todaythaneverbefore.Sheisexcitedaboutthe opportunitiesthatSTEMprogramsafford today’syouth,whethertheywanttogointo aerospace,chemistry,orbeabakeroranathlete. Lilypointsoutthatvirtuallyallprofessionshave elementsofmathandphysics.And “embracing differentthingsallowsyoutodecidewhatyou enjoydoing.” Thisadvicecomesfromreal-world experience:Lily’smothertookherfamilyto differentChurchesandotherplacesofworship sothefamilycouldembracedifferences, includingdiversityofthought.ThisTrailblazer makesthelinktoHBCUsandHUBZones–it’s allaboutcommunityinvolvementandhelping peopletobetheirbestselves.Shesays,“Lives arelikeministries:findpeopleyoucanhelpand walkwiththem.Takeamomenttowalkwith themandseethingsliketheydo.Takethat moment;itmakesallthedifference.”

SpeakingTruth

ThisTrailblazernotesthat“Gen-Z”is dynamic–today’syouthhaveanincredible diversityofintereststhatpointtotheiractivism. Whetherit’sBlackLivesMatter,StopAsian Hate,oranyhumanrightsmovement,ourupand-comingtrailblazerswill “cancelyouina

LilyMilliner, CEO,Build-IT-Up

secondifyou’renothonest.Areyoudoingwhat you’resaying?” Lilycommentsthattoday’s youngergenerationhasmovedawayfromthe oldsaying,“doasIsay,notasIdo.”Asa mentor,coach,andteacher,Lilynotesthat youngpeoplearerequestingAlignment–witha capitalA–andthatmeansbeingtruthfultoand withourselves.Itmeanspushingbackand provingthatactionsspeaklouderthanwords.It meansstayinginquisitiveandchallengingthose whowon’tanswerquestions.Andasthis Trailblazernotes, “thebestmentorsarethose whocansay,‘Idon’tknow–butIwillhelpyou findtheanswer.”

Lilyadmiresthistraitinyoungpeople,and encouragesthemtokeeppushingback because,assheputsit, “Wehavean opportunitytoshapesocietyifwealign ourselves.” AndthatappliestoHBCUs,thejob market,andHUBZones.

ItTakesaVillageof Champions

Lilyattributeshertrailblazingsuccessto“her village”–startingwithherfamily,whonever doubtedherabilities.Hermom,dad,andsisters encouragedhertoquestion–tobeinquisitive–andtobeherbestself.ThisTrailblazer’s “village”hasexpandedtoincludeother champions:dynamicwomenandmenwhohave comeintoherlifeandigniteher.Lily’svillageof championsiswillingtowalkalongsideherfor anythingandeverything.Inkeepingwiththe spiritofdiversity,Lilysays, “Myvillageof championsgoesacrossreligious,ethnic,and culturallines–andmychampionscheckme; theypushback.” Shepointsoutachallengein ourHBCUandHUBZonecommunities:our villageisn’tdiverseenough,andwecangoalong apathandnotevenknowwe’rewrong.She cautions, “Beinclusiveandallowyourvillageto pushback.Communicationisvalue–weneed tobeabletoshareperspectivesbecause

somethingmagnificenthappenswhen understandingtakesplaceandallowsustogo toanotherlevel.Ourlivesshouldbechallenged bythepeoplewhowalkwithus.”

Empowerment

ThisTrailblazer’songoingjourneyhasledto empowerment:theabilitytoovercomedoubt, thetendencytowalkalongsideyouthwhohave beentold,“No.”Sheadvisesusalltouseour powerstofindthegood,tostandupfor ourselveswithdignity.Shesays, “Ifyouaresent, itdoesn’tmatterifyoudon’tlookorsoundlike them;you’resupposedtobethere.Dowhatyou needtodoforyourneighborhoodwithout judgment.Tohaveasayinsomething,youhave tobuildsomething.Ifyouhaven’thelpedbuild therelationship,youhavenosayinit.”

Andthatadviceisperfecttofurtherempower HBCUsandHUBZones:morepeopleneedto jointheprogramsotheycanleanonthe governmenttomakesurewe’reconstantly pushingformorediversity,equity,and inclusion.ThisTrailblazerdeliversan empoweringmessage: “Wecanmakeprogressif wecometogether,trusteachother,doourpart, andbeaccountable.There’senoughfoodonthe table–whichmeansworkingtogetherto ensurethateveryonehasanopportunitytobe attheheadofthetable.”

AsthisTrailblazerhasseen,everyonecan getaseatatthetable.Sheadvisesustofind ourlane,bringourtalentstotheHUBZone Council,andvolunteertohelpothersand buildourcommunities.Wemustknockonas manypoliticians’doorsaspossibletomove ourcountrytoanotherlevel.Lilyendswith this:

“Thereisbrilliance–acresofdiamonds righthereinourbackyards.I’veworkedwith somanyshiningstarswhoseliveshave changedbecausetheyplantedseeds.It matterstoourcommunities;itmatterstoour Nation.”

PhotoSource:LilyMilliner

PhotoSource:LilyMilliner

LourdesMartin-Rosa, CEO,Government BusinessSolutions(GBS)

ThisTrailblazer’sfamilywereCuban refugeeswhoarrivedinthiscountrywithjust theclothesontheirbacks.Herparentshad faiththatwithhardworkandagoodeducation, theywouldgofar.Nomatterhowlittlethey had,theyalwaystookthetimetohelpothers. Theywould say,“dogoodandgoodwillcome untoyou.”ThatphilosophyhasbeenMrs. Martin-Rosa’sdrivingforceasshehasassisted smallbusinessesacrossthenation.Whether theirbalancesheetsareintheredorblack,she istheretoempowerandgiveacaringhandto theseentrepreneurs.

FamilyofAdvocates

Growingup,herfamilylivedinwhatwould havebeenlabeledaHUBZonetoday.Itwasone ofthepoorestsectionsofMiami.Mrs.MartinRosawilltellyouthatherfamilyquickly becameexpertsintakinglemonsandmaking lemonade.Fromeducationtoemployment disparity,theypushedon.Shesaid,“Iwas blessedthatIhadverygoodteachersand guidancefrommyparents.Mymotherworked fortheAmericanRedCrossduringthe Vietnameraandmyfatherworkedinashoe factory.Heledthepushtounionizethe workers.Theywerebothadvocates.Ithink that'swhereIgetmyadvocacysidefrom.”

OneofMrs.Martin-Rosa’sbiggest advocateshasbeenherfirefighterhusband.For morethan30years,hehasbeenheranchor. Whenshetookabusinessriskanditlooked

bleak,hewouldsay“isitafire?Issomeone abouttodrown?Issomeoneabouttodie?” Her responsewouldalwaysbe“NO.”Atthat moment,fearwouldbereplacedwithpeaceand thisTrailblazerwouldcontinueon.Her daughtershavefollowedinherfootsteps, workingfirstatGBSandlaterbecoming FederalGovernmentadvocates.

Problem-Solving

Problem-solvingisMrs.Martin-Rosa’s secretpower.Fromhelpingsmallbusinesses maximizetheiradvertisingdollarsattheMiami Heraldordesigningwomen-ownedsmall businesseventsforAmericanExpress,sheis alwayssolvingproblems.Mrs.Martin-Rosa workswithherclientsbyhelpingthemto definetheobstacle,thenevaluateandselect alternativesolutions.

Inthelate1990s,shehelpedasmalldisadvantagedminoritytravelbusinessenter thefederalsector.Atthetime,workingwiththe FederalGovernmentwasverynewtoMrs. Martin-Rosa.Sheapproachedthischallenge likealltheothersshehadfaced:withresearch andrelationship-building.Hercompany startedmeetingwiththeSBAofficesinMiami tohelpthetravelagencywinbusiness.By1995, theyhadgonefrom$0to$6Minfederaltravel revenue.

In2009,forAmericanExpress,Mrs. Martin-Rosacreatedaprograminwhichthe companypartneredwiththeUSSmallBusiness Administrationtoexposeentrepreneurstothe $100B+annualfederalbusinessopportunities. ThisallbeganwithameetinginNewYorkwith theirdirectors. Theywantedto knowwhythe government wassetting aside23%to small businesses.She said, “Iwas basically educatingthem onthe importanceof small

businessestothenationaleconomy.The impactonforeignmarkets,andofcourse,the government'sresponsibilitytoatleast minimizethehit.How23%offederal contractingdollarswerebeingmandatedby Congress.Ieducatedthem.Theyaskedmeto championwhatwaslatercalledtheVictoryIn Procurement(VIP)Program.Itwasbasically AmericanExpresslaunchingeventsfocusedon allbusinesses(notjusttheircardholders)to educatethemontheimportanceofgrowing theirbusinesswiththeFederalGovernment.”

PoliticalAction

SherecallstheinfluencethatPatriciaStout, theownerofAlamoTravelinSanAntonio,TX, hadonheradvocacy.Ms.Stoutwasanamazing Mexican-Americanentrepreneurwithaheavy Spanishaccentwhomadesurehervoicewas heard.ShehelpedMrs.Martin-Rosafindher voice.Ms.Stoutwouldsay, “Getinthere,talk tothem.They'reyourcongressional representatives.” Sheshowedherthatspeaking toyourcongressionalrepresentativescanmake adifference.Thatthey'rethereforus,toserve! Mrs.Martin-Rosawouldalwaysseeherin Washington,DC,fightingforwomen’srightsin equalityforpayandthewomen’sprocurement program.

Mrs.Martin-Rosahasbeenonthefrontline advocatingforwomen-ownedbusiness legislationinboththeHouseandtheSenate. ShetestifiedbeforeCongresswithMargot Dorfman,U.S.Women'sChamberof Commerce,andTraceyPinson,Directorofthe OfficeofSmallBusinessPrograms,United StatesArmy,topromotetheestablishmentofa procurementprogramforwomenbusiness owners.Theynavigatedthroughtheseaof stereotypicalquestionstofightforequalityfor womeningovernmentcontracting.

DuringtheObamaAdministration,this Trailblazer,Mrs.Martin-Rosa,wasaskedto helpformtheObamaSmallBusinessTask Force.Shewaspartofthegroupthateducated theminthedifferentSBAprograms.Thiseffort resultedinoneofhermosttreasuredawards presentedbyPresidentObama’scabinet. (ValerieJarrett,MichelleLee,andBibi Hidalgo).

MentorHallofFame

Mrs.Martin-Rosaissogratefulforallthe mentorswhohavetakenthetimetosharetheir goldennuggetswithher;CarlsonWagonlit Traveltaughtherhowtobeagood

subcontractorwhilecomplyingwiththevarious FederalGovernmentreportingrequirements. Somehavepassedaway,likeKevinBoshears (DHS)andTraceyPinson(Army),butthey haveleftalegacy.Thentherearetheoneswho continuetopourintoher,likePatriciaStout (AlamoTravel&HUBZoneCouncilMember), AntonioDoss(SBA),DonnaPebbles(SBA), RobertBoone(TSA),Melissa“Lisa”Jenkins (Treasury),PamelaWilson(Treasury),Shirley Bailey(HUBZoneCouncil),MichelleBurnett (HUBZoneCouncil),AnnSullivan(Madison ServicesGroup),andElizabethSullivan (MadisonServicesGroup).

Debriefing

ThisTrailblazerhaslearnedthatwhatyou don’tknowcanandwillhurtyourbottomline. SherecallshavingsubmittedaproposaltoDHS thinkingitwasgood,onlytofindoutinthe debriefingitwas“theworstproposalever.” ThosewereMrs.Martin-Rosa’swords,not DHS’s.TheyrecommendedthatGBSpersonnel takesomeclasseswiththeirlocalSmall BusinessDevelopmentCenters(SBDC)office. TheSBDCclassestaughtGBShowtowrite winningproposalsfortheFederalGovernment. Mrs.Martin-Rosapersonallytooknightcourses inproposalwriting,finance,andbusiness development.Adebriefingcanbeyourgolden tickettofuturesuccess,especiallyifyouarean 8(a)companythathasonlyreceivedsolesourcecontracts.GBShassincewrittenmore than100proposals.Theyhavewonover25% andcontinuetoincreasetheirwinrateby applyinglessonslearnedfromeachdebriefing.

Mrs.MaryWalksOverIcehasalwaysbeen personallyconnectedtoTrailblazers.As enrolledmembersoftheAssiniboine(Nakoda tribe),Maryhashadherfather,Mr.Chuck Archambault,asherfirstpersonalTrailblazer. HewasoneofthefewNativeAmericancivil engineersemployedbythegovernmentinthe 1970s.Earlyinhiscareer,Mr.Archambault tooktheultimateriskandbecamean entrepreneur.HisboldchoiceallowedMaryto experiencethejoysandchallengesofsmall businessownership.Recently,sheteamedwith anotherNakodaTrailblazer,hercurrentboss, CEOLeonardSmith.Muchlikeherfather,Mr. Smithisavisionary.

TrailblazingisintheBlood

ThisTrailblazeractuallytookamajor detourincollege.Shesaid, “Whenyougrowup spendingyourentirelifeworkinginyour father’ssmallbusiness,youthinkthatisthe lastthingyouwanttostudyincollege.Igot mydegreeinmicrobiology,something concrete.WhenIcamehome,IfoundoutI didn’tlikebeinginalaballbymyself.Iloved mycommunityandneededtobedoing somethingtohelpthem.Icouldn’trunfrom mydestiny.” Muchlikeherfather,this Trailblazerinteractswithhercommunityevery singleday.Itisevidentinherlaughterand smiles:“CommunityCapacityBuilding”isin herblood.

Mr.Archambaulttaughthistrailblazing daughterthatactionsspeaklouderthanwords.

Mrs.WalksOverIce remembersgoingto Washington,DCwithher fathertosupporttheBuy IndianAct. “Wewouldpound ondoors,tryingtoget regulationsputinplace. Therewerenoregulations backthenfortheBuyIndian Act.Thetwoagenciesserving Indianpeopleweren’tdoingit.” Thingsarea lotdifferentthesedaysbecauseofTrailblazers likeherfather.

NADChasmadeamajorimpactinthe Billingscommunity.JustbeforetheCOVID-19 pandemichit,theyreceivedtheIndianHealth ServiceContracttoopenanurbanIndian HealthCareClinictoservicemorethan10,000 NativeAmericansinBillings.Theclinichas thrived,goingfrom16tomorethan60 employeesinunder2years.NADCrecently purchasedalargebuildingintownwithMs. Mary’sassistance.Themulti-levelbuildingwill allowtheNativeAmericancommunitytohave somethingoftheirown.“Thankyouforgiving usaspace”arethewordsMrs.WalksOverIce keepshearinginthestreetsofBillings.When shehearsthosewords,shecanonlysmile, thinkingofhernow-87-year-olddad,whose sacrificeshemadehaveallowedhertoblazea trailatNADC.

NativeAmerican ProcurmentTechnical AssistanceCenters(PTAC)

ThereareonlysixNativeAmericanPTACs inthenation,andtheyprovidesubjectmatter expertsonthelawsandcertificationsspecificto NativeBusinesses,cultures,andcommunities. ThesePTACshelpNativeandnon-Nativefirms successfullyworktogetherinIndianCountry.

Afewyearsago,Mrs.WalksOverIceledan initiativetoincreasethenumberofNative OwnedBusinessesthatwereHUBZonecertified.SheworkedwithherfellowNative AmericanPTACsleaderstolaunchthis initiativenationwide.Theyprovidedtraining, workshops,andcoachingtoNativecontractors, increasingtheNativeOwnedHUBZone industrialbase.TheyalsoworkedwiththeSBA HUBZoneprogramtounraveltheredtapethat isspecifictobusinesseslocatedonreservations, suchassovereigntywaivers,bulkaddresses, andtribaljurisdictions.Allreservationsare consideredindefiniteHUBZones.Post-

MaryWalksOverIce, ChiefOperationsOfficer,Native AmericanDevelopmentCorporation(NADC)

pandemic environment hascreated anentire workforce thatworks remotelythat couldwork perfectlyfor reservation communities.

TheNADC PTAC intendsto relaunchtheinitiative tocertifycompaniesto becomeHUBZonecertified.

Businessonthe Reservation–Knowingthe Rules

NativeAmericanbusinessesthatresideon reservationsarepartofsovereignnationsthat arehighlyregulatedbytheUSgovernment. ThisTrailblazerworkstomakesurethat everyoneunderstandstheregulations.Onany givenday,Mrs.WalksOverIcemighthaveto explaintoafederalstakeholderwhyaNative Americancontractorcan’tusehisorherhouse forcollateral,buthasthebackingoftheir NativeAmericanCommunityDevelopment FinancialInstitutionsFund(CDFI)Assistance Program,orwhyacontractingofficerneedsthe Native-ownedbusinesstowaivesomerights andtheimplications.Ms.WalksOverIce’s officeservesasatrustedpartnertotheNative businesscommunityandexplainstheprosand consofcurrentclausesandregulations.

Mrs.WalksOverIcesaiditbest: “Weliketo shareourknowledge,weliketoshareour culture,likeeverything,thedemocraticsystem isbasedontheNativeAmericansystems. Entrepreneurismgoesbackbeforethefirst settlersarrivedinNorthAmerica.Native Americanscreatedallofthetraderoutes.They werethefirstexplorers;discoveryand innovationisawayoflifeinIndianCountry. AtNADC,wecontinuethelegacyofour ancestors.”

TheNADCteamprovidestheeducationthat enablestheNativecommunitytotakeback theirpowerinapositiveway.Inthis environment,communicationiscrucialtothe Nativecommunity’sawarenessandselfdetermination.

TakingOurPowerBack

TheIndianCountryhasthousandsof documentedexamplesoftheatrocitiesthat Nativefamiliesandtheirancestorssufferedat thehandsofthenon-nativegovernments. Thus,trustdoesnotcomeeasilywhen conductingbusinessonthereservation.Indian Countryoftenhesitateswhenitcomesto waivinganyofrightsorpartneringwithnonnatives.

Therearegenerationswhowerevictimsof theBoardingSchoolAct,andtheirmemories areverymuchalive.ThisincludesMrs.Walks OverIce’sfather,Mr.Archambault. GenerationsofNativeAmericansweretaught tobeashamedoftheirclansystem,ceremonies, language,andfood.Eventheirhairwas consideredanabomination.Theyweren’t encouragedtobeentrepreneurs,innovators,or disrupters.Butdespitetherelentless persecution,theirspiritpersevered.Mrs.Mary WalksOverIcesaid,“Wedidmanagetohold ontoourculture,whichisphenomenal.The moreIlearnaboutourpeople,themoreitis phenomenalthatweheldontoourtribes,our clansystems,ourlanguage,ourceremonies, andthat'sreallywhatgotusthrough.”

Oneofthethingsshelikesmostabout workingatNADCishowMr.Smithmakessure thateverythingtheydo,say,orwritecomes fromaplaceofpositivity,aplacethathonors andrespectstheNativepeopleandtheir journeys.Ms.Maryrecallsworkingwithgrant writerswhodidn’tknowthepeople.Theydidn’t knowthelanguageorculture,sotheir narrativeswerenegativeinsteadofpositive. Mr.Smith wouldnotallowthatkindof languageintheirproposals. Hewouldonly allowlanguagelike “thisistheprojectwe propose,andthisishowwe'regoingtodoit.If wedon’twinonthatmerit,thenwejustdon’t win.”

PhotoSource:MaryWalksonIce

PhotoSource:MaryWalksonIce

Thistwentysomethingtrailblazeristhe quantumprojectcoordinatorforaBaltimore basedHUBZonecompany(Delmock Technologies,Inc.).Theywereasubcontractor toMorganStateUniversityoneofthenation’s oldestHistoricallyBlackCollegesand Universities(HBCUs).Thiscontractaddressed waystomitigatehyper-disparitiesinQuantum LiteracyEducationandTrainingfor HistoricallyUnderrepresentedGroups[https:/ /youtu.be/FUDmB8MQufE].

AspartoftheNationalScience Foundation’sConvergenceAccelerator,Mr. EmersonhostedtheNationalQuantum LiteracyNetwork’sfirstroundtableforyouth thought-leadersfromHBCUsandMinority ServingInstitutionsonthefutureofquantum andtheworkforceimpact[Delmock_1.mp4 (vimeo.com)].Hispaneldelvedintothe influenceoftheMedia&Entertainment Industriesonquantumliteracyforboth millennialsandgeneration-Zersparticularly “Flash”fromtheDCComicsUniverse.They acknowledgetheaffecttheseindustrieshaveon thecreativityandopenmindednessofthe youngpeoplecurrentlyenteringtheworkforce.

Mr.Emersonisblazinganinclusive quantumtrailwhichcontinuestoencourage racial,economic,andgenerationaldiversity withintheindustry.Influencersarrivedfromas farastheCaribbeantoattendhisquantum roundtable.Thesehistorically underrepresentedtrailblazerscomereadyto explorethe workforce possibilitiesasit leadsthemto mitigatehealth, technology,security, andscience disparitiesintheir perspective communities.

EdEmerson, DelmockTechnologies

, President,MadisonServices Group

Whatdoesitmeantobeworkingwith anothertrailblazer?JustaskElizabethSullivan, PresidentofMadisonServicesGroup(MSGI), whostarteddownapathonlytofindher destinyintersectingwithhermother’s.Never hastheAfricanProverbbeensoreal–Ifwe standtallitisbecausewestandonthe shouldersofmanyancestors.

Lizzie,assheisfondlycalled,isasecondgenerationbusinessownerwhohastakenthe batontorunevenfurther.Thisyoungdisrupter hasleveragedthegreatcharacteristicsofthe millennialgenerationtomakeMSGIeven stronger.WhethersheischallengingthestatusquoorcreatingnewpoliciesforHUBZone businesses,theCouncilisgratefulsheis lobbyingforus.Lizziedeclaredshewouldnever workforhermomandinitiallychosethepath

ofeducationasapreschoolteacherthrough TeachforAmerica.TeachinginaChicago childcarecenterlocatedinaHUBZone,destiny wouldnotleaveheralone.Shewasconstantly pulledoutoftheclassroomtohelpthesmall businessownercomplywithfederal regulations.

Itwasclearmanyoftheissuesprevalentin herclassroomstemmedfromWashington. Thus,sherealizedsheneededtoreturnhome andjoinhermother’sfirm.Annhadbroken manyglassceilingsforwomenlobbyistssothat shecouldsoar.AsCOVIDtriedtodecimate HUBZonebusinesses,theyneededastaunch advocateinCongress.MSGIreceivedcallsfrom Congressforsolutionsthatcouldhelpsmall businessesduringatimeofcrisis.MSGI’s governmentcontractingspecialtyallowedthem tocontinuetohelpcontractorsthroughthis unprecedentedtime.

Lizzieevenwentbacktoschoolatnightto getamaster’sdegreetodeepenherknowledge. Sheiscertainlynotaloneinherwork.The womenonCapitolHill,fromstaffersto MembersofCongress,helpherleadthewayfor HUBZonebusinesses.Trailblazingledherback home!

ElizabethSullivan

ThisyoungtrailblazerisamasterofIT improvisation.Ms.Nguyenisknownfor comingupwithwaystoenhancetheCouncil’s mediafootprint.Whethersheisdesigning AirtablestomatchHUBZoneCompanieswith jobseekersorcreatingframeworksfordigital publications(likethe21DaysofHUBZones), Ms.Nguyenisquicklymakinghermarkonthe HUBZoneProgramwithsocialmedia campaignsthateducatethenationonits economicimpact.Sheusessocialmediato demystifytheprogram,oftenre-educating businesses,workers,andthegovernmenttoset therecordstraight.Ms.Nguyenbelievesthe HUBZoneprogramispowerful:shehasseenit changethelivesofworkersandthe communitiestheyworkin.

180DegreeTurn:Moving fromSurvivingtoThriving

Ms.Nguyen’sparentsmigratedfrom VietnamtoAmerica,andthejourneywas steepedinchallengesthattheyovercame.They launchedasmallbusinessin2003.Their dreamsfortheirdaughterincludedthepath shewasinitiallyon,whichwasPre-Medat FrostburgStateUniversity.Byherjunioryear, Ms.Nguyenhadrealizedthatjustbecauseyou candosomethingdoesn’tmeanyoushould. Shefeltstuck,andherpassionwasgone.She foundherselfatacrossroads:changeher major?Orbecomplacentandstickitout?True

toform,Ms.Nguyen chosetothrive, addingHuman Resourcestoher degreealongwithan internshipwiththe HUBZoneCouncil. Shebeganpursuing creativetechnology careers,which culturallywouldhave beenseenasahobbyandthereforetaboo.Ms. Nguyencan’tseeherselfdoingjustonething, soshedoveheadfirstintotheendless possibilitiesattheHUBZoneCouncil.Herpath haschangedsomuchinthelast5years,and sheadmitsitwouldbedifficultforherto envisionlifein2030.

In2022,withoutanyformaltraining,Ms. Nguyensinglehandedlytransformedthelook andfeelofthemonthly TrailblazerMagazine. Hermottois,“GoBigorGoHome,”abelief thatisreflectedineachissue.Ms.Nguyen’s technicalandcreativeexpertisehasoftenleft ourmembersspeechless.Questionslike,“how doesshecomeupwiththesenewlayoutseach month?“MichelleBurnett,ExecutiveDirector oftheCouncil,hassaidthatMs.Nguyenhasan “improvementmindset,”andisconstantly lookingatwaystocollaborateandbringmore stakeholderstothetable.Ms.Nguyen’s problem-solvingskillsanddedicationhave allowedtheCounciltobuildsustainable processesandsystemsdespitethechallengesof doingso.

AngelaNguyen, MarketingManager,HUBZone ContractorsNationalCouncil&BoardMember, HUBZoneCouncil,Inc.

BubblingUpEffort:

Individuals,Companies, Communities,andthe Nation

OneofMs.Nguyen’sinitialworkforce initiativeswastoincreaseemployment opportunitiesforstudentsresidingin HUBZoneareas.Shewantedto:

•IdentifywaysthatHUBZonebusinesses couldchangethetrajectoryofstudents withintheirparticularcommunitiesthrough meaningfuljobs.

•Matchstudents’talents,whethertheylived inruralorurbanHUBZonecommunities, withnationalworkforceneeds.

Ms.Nguyencreatedatalentmanagement systemthatHUBZoneCouncilmemberscould access.Thesystemincludedstudentprofiles, alongwithresumesandemploymentinterest. ThissystemprovidedCouncilmembersa nationalworkforcepipelineofprospective HUBZonestudents.Additionally,thestudents wereabletobeefuptheirresumeswithhandsonexperience,fromBusinessDevelopmentto QuantumLiteracy.Upongraduation,many studentswereabletolandwell-paying,fulltimepositionsusingtheexperiencestheyhad gainedattheHUBZonebusinesses.Ms. Nguyenremindsthebusinessesusingthis systemthat “onehirecanmakeadifferenceto thecompany,family,community,andthe nation”.

Ms.Nguyen’stalentmanagementsystem hasbecomethegiftthatkeepsgiving,as HUBZonebusinessesstruggledtodealwiththe impactsontheirworkforceoftheCOVID-19 pandemic.Theproducthasincreased businesses’abilitiestorecruitaskilled workforce,particularlyasremotework lessenedthestingofthehighgasprices.This systemcontinuestoofferourCouncilmembers andtheirprospectiveemployeesactionable workplacealternatives.

TheElephant:KickingIt OutoftheRoom

WhenIaskedMs.Nguyen,“whoareyour heroes?”Ishouldn’thavebeensurprisedwhen shereplied,“theyarepeoplewhogoagainstthe graintostand-upforwhatisright,peoplenot willingtogowiththeflow,butmakewaves.

Theoneswhodothataremyheroes”.Clearly, thisyoungtrailblazerisachampionforthe historicallydisadvantaged.Forher,silenceand ignorancearenotbliss.Shehaswatchedwith zealashergenerationhaschosentokicksome ofAmerica’sbiggestelephantsoutoftheroom. Elephantsthathadtogobecauseofmovements likeMeToo,BlackLivesMatter,andStopAsian HatetoensurethecredibilityoftheDeclaration ofIndependence: “…Weholdthesetruthstobe self-evident,thatallmenarecreatedequal, thattheyareendowedbytheirCreatorwith certainunalienableRights,thatamongthese areLife,Libertyandthepursuitof Happiness…”

ImpactofIT:Changingthe Workforce

Ms.Nguyen’sgenerationistechnologydependent.Weareallremindedthattheir dependencyhascaptureddatathatwouldhave beenlostdecadesago.Individualsmighthave beengaslighted,questioningtheirown recollectionofthefacts,butnow,thesefacts aregloballyavailableforalltosee.IT advancementshaveopeneddoorsinevery industry,providingnewskillsand opportunitiesforthetalentedHUBZone workforce.

TheimpactofITontheworkforcehasledto interdependency.Companiesarebeginningto realizethatwhatsomeemployeesmaylackin experience,theyquicklymakeupiningenuity, andingenuityishardertoteach.Thistalentis whatMs.Nguyenandmanyofherpeersbring totheworkforce.Shebelievesbusinessesthat havebeenabletoharnesstalentsfromall communitieshavecreatedsustainable ecosystemsthathavebeenabletothrive,even duringthepandemic.

ChrissyMarucci,SmallBusinessConsultant&Vice President,Pepburn,LLC,andAngelaNguyen,Marketing Manager,HUBZoneCouncil,atthe2020HUBZone IndustryAwardsGala

PhotoSource:HUBZoneContractorsNationalCouncil

TitoRamirezRivashasbeen quotedassaying,"It'sanother world,whattheseagivesus.It's aparadise."Thisvisionof “Paradise”droveMr.Wakefield tocontinuetobuildhis company,theDeadCalmSeas MarineServices(DCS),during theCOVIDpandemic.Inthepast3years,he hasleveragedhismilitaryexperiencetocreate oneoftheindustry’ssafestandmostreliable ecosystemsfordiversinthemarine constructionfield.At31yearsold,Mr. Wakefieldhasexperiencedmoregriefthan mostHUBZoneowners--havingfriends departingthisworldtooearly,eitherbysuicide ordeployments.Thus,heisonaquesttolive uptohispotentialbyrunningaHUBZone businessthatmatters.

Swimming:WhereYou Are

Ignoranceisnotbliss.Mr.Wakefield stumbleduponinformationaboutthe HUBZoneProgramataVeteran’sconference inFlorida.Tohisamazement,DCSwasina HUBZonewiththenecessary35% employment,butcompletelyunawareofthe advantagesaHUBZonecertificationcould offer.Hebelievesthatencounterand subsequentcertificationhaveopeneddoors forsubcontractingandprimingwiththe federalgovernment.Themessagehegives

businessesinhiscommunityis“toget HUBZonecertified,youdon’thavetobeableto divelikeDCS,youcanswimwiththebigfish rightwhereyouare.”

Phoenix:Risingfromthe Ashes

Muchlikethemythicalphoenix,whichrises fromtheashesofitsdeadpredecessor,DCSis thetruestoryofaHUBZonebusinessbeing birthedfromtheashes,bringinghopetothis Trailblazer.In2019,Mr.Wakefield’sgood friendbecameoneofthemanyfatalitiesthat occureachyearinthecommercialdiving industry.ThisTrailblazerpersonallygavehis friendCPRastheDMT(DivingMedical Technician)forcloseto2hours,doing everythingpossible,untilhisfriendwas pronounceddeadatthehospital.

Grievingthelossofhis friendaswellasanemployer whowouldrathernottake responsibilityforthetragedy, Mr.Wakefieldwasleftwith justashes.Atthispoint,he decidedthathewouldrise fromtheashesandlaunch DCS.Hewasluckyenoughto haveagroupofguysthat believedinhimandcamewith himonthisjourney.Mr.Wakefieldsaid,“I didn'thaveafamilytosupportandhadsome moneytoinitiallybankrollDCS.”IttookDCS almostafullyearbeforeitmadeanymoney, withresourcesdwindlingtonothing.Butthen theybegantorise,andbytheendofthefirst year,DCShadmadealmost$2M.

TimothyWakefield, CEO,DeadCalm SeasMarineServices

PhotoSource:DCS

YouHaveaChoice:Change theIndustry

AsMr.Wakefieldreflectedontheevents thatledtoDCS’screation,heensuresthathis diversneverhavetomakeachoicebetween employmentandbeingapossiblevictim.He believesthat,traditionally,theindustryhasnot beenconcernedaboutthesafetyandwell-being ofthedivers.ThisHUBZonecompanyisona missiontochangethatparadigmforever.DCS

paystheirdivers’travelexpenseswhilekeeping strictsafetyprotocolsinplace.Mr.Wakefield said, “mypersonalvendettaistochangethe waytheindustryoperates.Itakecareofthe guysfromthemomenttheystepouttheir door,tothemomenttheywalkbackin. They’recompletelytakencareof.Theydon't payforfood;theydon'thavetolookfora placetolive;theirtravelistakencareof;and theirpayalwayscomesontime.They’re family.”

DCStreatstheirclientsasfamily,too, helpingthemdobetter.Theylookpastthe quickmoney,preferringtodeveloplong-term, meaningfulrelationships.ThisTrailblazer reallylovesthework,andhisloyaldiversare helpinghimchangetheindustry.This paradigmisgainingmomentum:DCSisnow beatingoutmanyofthebigcompanies.The wordisspreading–fromtheCaribbeanto Guam.Thisyear,DCSplanstoopennewshops acrossthecountry.

Giants:StandingonTheir Shoulders

ThisTrailblazerconstantlyremindsusof thegiantswhoseshouldersheisstandingon, fromhismomanddad,whomodeledintegrity andwhatittakestoalwaysshowup;abrother whoshowedhimhowtoalwayshaveafighting spirit;tohissister,whofinishedamaster’s degreewhilebattlingarareformofcancerat theMayoClinic.Mr.Wakefield’sfamilytaught himhowtokeeppushingnomatterhow difficultthejourney.Thenthereishisbusiness mentorandoneofthe nicestpeopleever,Russell Matulich,theCEOofRTI Cables(Telcom’s&Data Centers),whohasspent countlesshourssharing hiswisdomwiththis youngdisrupterwhile creatingabusinessmodel thatprovidessmall businesseswithahighly competitivemarketspace tocompetewiththe hyperscalers.

Mr.Wakefieldcalls AnnSmithofMarine VenturesInternationalhis subseacablemom.She gaveDCStheirfirst contract,whichbecame

PhotoSource:DCS

thecatalystformorecontracts.Sheknewthe reputationtheindividualdivershadinthe industryandtrustedthatacompanymadeup ofsuchtalentcouldsuccessfullyperformif giventheopportunity.Mr.Wakefieldsaid,“I oweheralotbecauseshebelievedinus,our talents,andDCS’svisionfortheindustry.” Finally,thisTrailblazerwouldberemissifhe didnotincludehisoldMasterChiefandfriend, DennisPolly.ThisMasterChiefhasa personalitythatmotivatespeople,drivesthem, andmakesthemwanttocomealongforthe ride.Mr.Pollyfueledhispassionforcombat medicineandemergencymedicalcare.

MentalToughness:What YouSayMatters

Mr.Wakefieldfiguredoutthatitisnot enoughtobephysicallytough–youmustbe mentallytoughtohandlethenaysayersand challengesofrunninga business.Hisbootcamp experiencebarelytouched thesurfaceofthe toughnessrequiredtorun DCS.Whenhefirst started,hehadtofight everydaytoconvince himselfthatitwould succeed.Hewouldwake

upandgoforarun,repeatingpositive affirmationsuntilheactuallybelieved hisself-talk.Evenwhenpeoplewere sayingitwasnotgoingtowork,thathe wasjustwastinghismoney,hisselftalkmatteredmore.Tothisday,he goesthroughthisroutinetohelphim getthroughlife’shighsandlows.

RightPeople: Synchronized Swimming

TylerWiesen,JeremyHealey,Kyle Gibbs,andBrockMcCorklehave workedhardtomakeDCSsuccessful. Muchlikeasynchronizedswimming team,DCShasbeenabletomove faster,soarhigher,andgrowstronger becauseofthetalentandpassionthese youngmenbringtothetable.They haveneverwaveredintheir commitmentandprovidethe foundationthatcontinuestoexpand DCS’sfootprint.Asaservant-leader, thisTrailblazerisnotafraidtosaythatthe rightpeopleinthetrencheshavegrownhis businessandnothim.

MilitaryTransition

AssistancePrograms:How theHUBZoneProgramCan Help

Mr.Wakefielddidhaveonefinalsuggestion forthetroops.Thatis,nottokeepthe HUBZoneProgramasecret.Militarytransition programs haveagreatopportunitytoeducate theirexistingworkforceonthebenefitsofthe HUBZoneprogram,bothtotheindividualand tothenation.Veteransmakewonderful servant-leadersandbusinessowners.They havetheskillsandexperienceneededto engageallstakeholderswhiledelivering exceptionalproductsandserviceswithinscope.

PhotoSource:DCS

GeraldJones, DoctorofMedicine(MD)Program, Classof2025

ThisMorehouseSchoolofMedicine(MSM) TrailblazerjustfinishedanAmericanCancer Society(ACS)-fundedinternshipwiththe FrederickNationalLaboratoryforCancer Research(FNL),wherehecollaboratedwith someofthenation’sfinestscientistsoncancer experimentation.Asachild,GeraldJoneswas groomedforgreatnessbyhisgrandmother,a breastcancersurvivorwhosparkedhisinterest incancerresearch.Shewouldsay, “baby,you candoanythingthatyouputyourmindto, youaregoingtobeadoctoraslongasyou believethatyou'regoingtobeadoctor.” She wouldthenremindhimoftheBiblicalversein James2:26 “...faithwithoutworksisdead” andthenthiswomanofGodwouldsay“start working,” andhedid!

Mr.Joneswasalsoinfluencedbyhishigh schoolchemistryteacher,whohademigratedto theUnitedStatesafterfleeingfromNigeria withnothingmorethantheclothesonhisback. Helaterlaunchedasuccessfulbusiness,allthe whilemakingsuretoemphasizetothepublic andhisstudentsthathedidn’tdothisonhis own.Theteacherwouldsay, “there’snosuch thingasaself-mademan,thereisalwaysa villagebehindus.” Thosepearlsofwisdomare whatkeepsthisHUBZoneTrailblazer,Mr. Jones,grounded.

ThisTrailblazer,GeraldJones,wasthefirst medicalstudenttoparticipateintheFNL’s AcademicSummerTraineesProgram.Hewas abletoexploreanotherdimensionofhis medicaleducationbyworkingbehindthe scenes.Hesaid, “whatIenjoymostisthe abilitytogobeyondwhatIlearnedin textbooks.Toexploretheprocessofobtaining informationthateventuallyisputinto textbooks,thingslikeusingcomputerclusters, visualmoleculardynamics,structural predictions,simulations,biochemical structures,andcancercellmutations.” His internshipmovedhimfromthetheoreticalto theexperimentalsideofhiseducation.This exposurekindledhisinterestfurtherin autoimmunity,aswellasincancerresearch, andheishopingtofindagoodbalance betweenresearchandclinicalduties.

Leadership:Lessons& Experience

Mr.Joneslearnedtonotbeafraidtoaskfor help.Arequestforhelpisastrength,nota weakness.Hesaid,“there’samythabout physicians,thatbecauseoftheirpositionthey knoweverything.Thereisalwayssomething newtolearn.You’renevergoingtoknowitall.” Hewasgratefultohavehadasuperbmentorat FNLinDr.DavidBell.WhenMr.Jonesdidn’t understandsomething,Dr.Bellgraciously walkedhimthroughitwithoutjudgmentor shame.Mr.Joneslearnedthevalueoflearning fromhispeers,nomattertheirleveloftraining. Hesaid, “Youcanlearnnotonlyfromyour professororscientists,butyoucanlearnfrom othersinthetrainingpipeline.” Thesecond lessonwasthatscienceisacollaborative endeavor.Itiscriticalthattheteam communicateinordertofacilitatethediscovery process.Breakthroughsarestifledwhenfolks become“lonewolves”intheresearchprocess. Mr.Jonessaid, “Youcan’tdoeverythingby yourselftomovefromtheoreticaltopractical; othersmayhavethetoolsyouneedforwhat youhaveinmind.Weareallvitaltothe researchprocess.Keepeverybodyintheknow, askeveryonefortheirinsights.”

ItTakesaVillage: AdvocatesandInfluencers

Ittookavillagetodesignandimplementa programthatwouldallowtalentedstudents

likeMr.Jonestosoar.ItstartedwithACS providingthefundingandinfrastructurefor fourhistoricallyBlackmedicalschools, includingCharlesR.DrewUniversityof MedicineandScience,HowardUniversity, MeharryMedicalCollege,andMorehouse SchoolofMedicine.LedbyDr.EllieDaniels, ACSestablishedaDiversityinCancerResearch (DICR)program,workingwithACS stakeholderstohelpimproveandaccelerate diversity,equity,andinclusioninthecancer researchfield.Beforestartingtheprogram,Dr. Danielstalkedtoalltheuniversitiesto determinetheirinterestlevel.Sheknewbuy-in wascriticaltothesuccessoftheprogram.Their participationhelpedACSdesigncohortsthat reflectedboththestudents’andthefaculties’ workload.

MSMleveragedtheirparticipationinDICR tolaunchaninternshipprogramthroughthe PartnershipDevelopmentOffice(PDO)atFNL. Mr.JoneswasjoinedbythreeotherMSM students:twopursuingMasterofSciencein BiotechnologydegreesandonePh.D.candidate inBiologicalSciences.Thesuccessofthe programhasledtoFNLdissertationcommittee participationanddiscussionstocontinue projectsintotheschoolyear.Dr.Danielsis continuouslylookingformorepartnersforthe thousandsofHBCUstudentsdispersed throughoutournation.ChampionslikeFNL’s Dr.EthanDmitrovsky,Dr.VladimirPopov,and Ms.CrystalCanja,allofwhomworktirelessly toprovideMSM’sstudentswithexperiential learningactivities.

MSM

MSMhasbeenproducingtalentedmedicaland healthprofessionalsforalmosthalfacentury, withalmost800studentsgraduatingyearly (90%ofthemareAfrican American).Over50%of thestudentsareinMD programslikeMr.Jones; theothersaredispersed inpublichealth,health informatics,and biotechnology.MSM’s MasterofBiotechnology programhappenstobe ranked#1,outof155 similarprograms,inthe UnitedStates–aheadofHarvardandJohn Hopkins.Dr.Lillardhashelpedleadthis extremelycompetitiveACS/FNLinitiative, alongwithDr.BrianRivers,Directorofthe CancerHealthEquityInstituteatMSM.The

demandfor internships is

tremendous,buttheiravailabilityisverylow. Everyyear,Dr.Lillardhashundredsof studentseagertoparticipateinsimilar programs–andtheyareallreadytorollup theirsleevesandputtheirintellecttowork.Dr. LillardishopingthatmuchlikeFNLandACS, HUBZoneand8abiotechnologyandhealth informaticscompanieswillbetheirnextwave ofcollaborators.

ACS

Championingcancerresearchfordiverse students,Dr.Danielsis expandingthenational cancerresearch opportunitiesatHBCU medicalschools.She said, “Ourideawasto dedicatefundingtoput astakeintheground. Wedonotwantthisto beamoment–we wanttocreatea movement.” In2021, ACShadabigideato increasediversityin theworkforcewhilenavigatingthechallenges ofthePandemic.Witheverythinggoingonline andthediversitynumbersalreadybeing dismal,theyactedfast.ACSstartedseveral programs.OneoftheirlargestwasDICR, whichincludestalentedstudentslikeMr. Jones.Heispartoftheirbetatestgroupat MSM.

Dr.Elvan "Ellie" Daniels, SeniorVicePresident, ExtramuralDiscovery ResearchAmericanCancer Society,Inc.

Thissummerandfor thenext10years,ACS willbeworkingwith theiracademic partnersto substantiallyincrease thenumberof underrepresentedminoritycollegestudentson anannualbasisexposedtothecancerresearch field.By2024,DIRChopestohavelaunched morethan100newcancerresearchcareers. ACSisraisingfundstoenhancethestudent experiencetosupporttheirparticipation networkingwithotherstudents,writing manuscripts,andpresentingtheirresearchat scientificconferences.

JamesW.Lillard,Ph.D.,MBASenior AssociateDean, Research,Innovationand Commercialization,MSM

ThisTrailblazerbelievesoneofhismost sacreddutiestotheChamberistodothe rigorousresearchneededtoadvancethe HispanicBusinessCommunity,nowandinthe future.ThishasoftenrequiredMr.Salas-Oliva tobethedissentingopiniononaseemingly popularissue.Heoftenweighsproposed policiesandregulationsagainsttheeventual impacttheywillormayhaveonthemorethan fivegenerationsofHispanicentrepreneurs.Mr. Salas-Olivatakesthisresponsibilityseriously andhasoftengainedthesupportofhismultigenerationalcolleaguesinsomeofthemost criticalbusinessinitiatives.Asatrusted advisor,hesupportstheHispanicand HUBZoneBusinesscommunitywithzeal.

Mr.Salas-Oliva’s hyphenatedlastnameishis wayofhonoringhismother, whosefamilynameis“Oliva.” Asabusinesswoman,owning twobusinesses,onein marketingandtheother sellingpredictiveanalysisto corporationsinMexico,she hasfacedmanyobstacles.He creditshisabilitytoworkthe longgametothelessons learnedfromhismother.

SupplierReadiness Bootcamps

TheChamberhasdeterminedthatLatinos startbusinessesatthreetimesthenational rate,andLatinasstartbusinessesatsixtimes thenationalrate,yetthey'reoftennotmetwith thesameopportunitiesastheirAnglo counterpartsforcapitalization.WithHispanic businessesgrowingsofast,Mr.Salas-Oliva believesthatcapitalinvestmentsandsupplier readinessbootcampsarecriticaltothe economicfutureoftheUnitedStates.He expressedagrowingconcernthatthisdisparity intheHispanicbusinesscommunitymightlead totherelocationofvariouscompaniestoother countries.

Therefore,heworkswiththegovernment andcorporatepartnerstoidentifyanybusiness obstacleswithintheircommunity.USHCChas designedprogramstoincreasecapacityand sustainabilityforHispanicbusinesses.For example,theUSHCCholdssupplierreadiness bootcampstoteachbusinesseshowtoget readytoworkwithbigcorporationsbygetting intotheirsupplychains.Oftentheseattendees haveneverscaleduptheircompany,soldto federalclients;obtainedfreetraining resources,orestablishedpartnerships.

TheUSHCCworkstointegrateminorityownedbusinessesintotheindustrialbaseas primecontractorsandsubcontractorsforthe FederalGovernmentandprivatesector.When

SantiagoSalas-Olvia, AssociateManagerof Government&InternationalAffairs,UnitedStates HispanicChamberofCommerce(USHCC)

PhotoSource:SantiagoSalas-Oliva

thesesuppliersarenotreadytotakeonthese efforts,theChamber’sbootcampsprovidethe technicaltrainingneededinareaslikefinancial literacy,operationalplans,business development,andevenhowtoprepare customizedcapabilitiesstatements.The USHCC’shands-onsupportincludes matchmakingsessions,wheretheirstaffsit downwithmembersandcorporationsto personallydeterminehowtoplugbusinesses intotheappropriatesupplychains.

NotaZero-Sum Approach

Hisdadalwayswantedhimtobealawyer; hefeltthathissonwasagreatnegotiator.The problemwasthattheyoungSalas-Olivadidn’t likethefactthatsomeonealwayshadtolose. Mr.Salas-Olivasaid, “Iwantedmyworktonot beazero-sum.IwantedwhatIaccomplished tobenefitentirecommunities,notjustmy clientoroneparty.”Mr.Salas-Olivadoesn’t believethatforbusinessestowin,other businessesmustlose.Hebelievesthereare enoughproblemsintheworld,andweneed hardworkingbusinessestomakeittheir businessaboutsolvingthem.ThisTrailblazeris alwayssearchingforopportunitieswhere everyonewins.Heworksatcreatinga communitywherepeopleseeeachotheras peers–collaborators. “Whenthetiderises,all boatsareliftedup.Ourcommunitybenefits, notjustonebusinessbenefitsbutthewhole community,thefamilies,theworkforce,the schools,everyone.”

ExposureCanLeadto Empathy

Atjust25yearsold,thisTrailblazeris alreadyperfectlyfluentinthreelanguages.Ata veryyoungage,Mr.Salas-Olivaunderstood thatifhewantedtobeinapositiontohelpthe lessfortunate,hewouldhavetoexposehimself todifferentsocial,economic,andcultural situations.Afterhissecondyearofcollegein MexicoCity,hedecideditwastimefora challenge.Helefthome,movingfirsttoSan Francisco,CA,andlatertoWashington,D.C.It wasuncomfortableatfirst,butanecessary experiencethatgavehimstrength.Mr.SalasOlivasaid, “whatfrustratesmeistoseehow recklessweareandhowlittleempathywe haveforothers.Forme,thrivingin uncomfortablesituationsstrengthensmy humilityandempathyforothers.”

PhotoSource:SantiagoSalas-Oliva

Mr.Salas-Olivaisdeterminedtoextendhis internationalstudies.Hesaid, “Iplantogoto BeijingtolearnMandarinandearnaMaster’s degree.Althoughwehaveverydifferent cultures,Idobelievethatthereisvaluein learningaboutsomeofthemodelsand processestheyhaveimplementedintheir system.IwanttounderstandhowChina,since 1950s,hasliftedmorethan800millionpeople outofpoverty.Mostimportantly,arethere anylessonsthatcanbeappliedtoa democraticsociety?”

Immigration:Barriersto Growth

ThisTrailblazerwondersiftheU.S.willbe abletoretainandsustainitsleadershipinthe technologyindustryduetocurrentimmigration laws.Hesaid,“ErdalArikanisanexampleof whatthiscountrylostouton.Hewasa TurkishgraduateoftheCaliforniaInstituteof TechnologyandtheMassachusettsInstituteof Technologywhowasunabletogetan academicappointmentorfundingforhiswork

PhotoSource:SantiagoSalas-Oliva

intheU.S.,sohereturnedtohishome country.” In2016,Arikanwasacceptedasthe scientistwholaidthefoundationof5G standardsintheWorld.Asaforeigncitizen, Mr.ArikanwouldhavehadtofindaU.S. employerinterestedenoughinhisprojectand ideastogothroughthetumultuous sponsorshipprocessthatwouldhaveallowed himtostay.

ThinkingGlobally

Mr.Salas-Olivadidnoticeaninteresting trend:HUBZonesandHispanicbusinessesare thinkingglobally.Consumersarerewarding companiesthatcare–theonesthatuse sustainableproductsthatprovide environmental,social,andeconomicbenefits whileprotectingpublichealthandthe environment.Socialmediamadeitclearthat beinggoodforpeopleintheUnitedStatesat theexpenseofmarginalizingcommunities abroadwillnolongerbetolerated.Withthe worldgettingsmaller,wehavetorecognizethat makingaglobalimpactcanalsobeachievedby workinglocally.

PhotoSource:SantiagoSalas-Oliva

Wakjexiskawinga“WhiteWaterSpirit”is only20yearsoldandhasalreadymadeaname forherselfatthenationallevel.Icaughtup withheratthe79thAnnualConventionforthe NationalCongressofAmericanIndians(NCAI) whereshehadjustbeenelectedasco-Vice PresidentoftheNCAI’sYouthCommission. Thistrailblazerisafull-timestudentatLittle PriestTribalCollegewhichislocatedinher hometownofWinnebago,Nebraska.Asan AmbassadorfortheAllNativeGroup(ANG), Wakjexiskawingadoeswhatshelovesmost, conservingourearth'snaturalresourceswhile helpingotherstodothesame.

SocialEnvironmentalist

ThisHo-Chuckwomanbelievesthather destinywaswrittenatbirth.Bothhertribaland non-tribalnamesspeakoftheenvironment, “WhiteWaterSpirit”and“CharliEarth”.Asan AmbassadorforANGshehasbeenableto promotesustainablecommercialrecycling effortsonthereservation.Sheissoexcited aboutbeingabletoechoher“ancestors’ wisdom”.Ms.Earthsaid,“Iwanttobean advocatefortheenvironment,becausemylast nameisEarth,andeversinceIwaslittle,Ijust lovedmylastname.ItrulyfeltlikeIwasbeing calledupontobeavoicefortheenvironment andbeavoiceforMotherEarth,andour connection.”

Ms.Earth’sapproachtoobtainingbuy-inon thereservationbeginsbycarefullylisteningto herstakeholderstounderstandtheirconcerns. Thensheworksoncreatingsolutionsthatmeet theirmissionofpreservingtheenvironment. Shesaid,“Whenpushbackhappens,Ireallydo trytoreflectonmyactions,mywords,what mayhavegonewrong,becausesometimesIdo thinkthere'sjustamisunderstanding.Butthe endgoalisalwaysmakingthemfeelcloserto theenvironment–toMotherEarth.”

EntrepreneurialVision

Ourtrailblazer’sdreamistoonedayhavea recyclingandcompostresidentialpickup business;tohaverecyclingmachinerywhich actuallyspinstheplasticandmetalstocreate newmaterials.Shealsowantstohaveawater companywhichusesfullybiodegradable containersinsteadofthetraditionalplastic bottles.Thisyoungdisruptorstandsreadyto revolutionizetherecyclingindustry.

Wakjexiskawinga“WhiteWaterSpirit” CharliEarth), Ambassador,AllNativeGroup (ANG)adivisionofHo-Chunk,Inc.(HCI)

PhotoSource: Wakjexiskawinga

Wakjexiskawinga,her thoughtsaboutthegap betweentheeldersand hergeneration,thiswas herthoughtfulresponse:

Navigating Intergenerational Communications

Ms.Earthlearnedtheartofcommunication atayoungage.Sheconvincedherparentsthat shewasreadyforthemuch-neededrigorsofa culturallychallengingeducationoutsideofthe reservation.Theyagreedtohersolutionwhich wastodrive2-hoursadaytoattendFremont HighSchool.Shewastheonlynativeinthe highschool,herfellowstudentsactedlikeshe wasaunicorn.Whenafewoftheteachers clearlydidn’thaveacluehowtopromote culturalsensitivityintheclassroomitwasupto her–toliterallytaketheseunenlightened teacherstoschool.Onthoserareoccasions whentheywouldsaysomethingthatwas clearlyderogatory,Ms.Earthsaid, “Iwould havetogivethefactsinsteadofthefiction.”

Onthereservation,sheisabletoencourage youngpeopleandwomentohaveavoice.A voicethatisrespectfultothetribeelders,but yetreflectiveoftheirviews.HerpositionatHCI hasallowedhertopresentandofferayouthful perspectiveonsignificantissues.Ms.Earth said,“Ihadtogoandgiveapresentationtoa Board,and80%ofthemwereelders.There wassomereallypositivefeedback–theywere verysupportive.”

Iknowthatalotofpeoplearegoingto embracemyvisionandwhatI'mtryingto makehappeninourcommunity.Ijusthaveto keepstayingconfidentinthat.”WhenIasked

“Theyoungervoices arenotheardmuch,but Idobelievethatifwe starttheconversationof historicaltraumaand thetypesofissuesthat havestemmedfrom that,itwillopentheir minds,totheolder voices.Theycanfinally hearwhatweare thinkingbecausewe're theoneslivinginit.Weallsufferfromthis trauma.Ithinkthatifourvoicesasthe youngergeneration,stepuptosay,yes,wedo needthishealingasacommunity.Wedoneed tohealtogether!Wecan'tdothisalone,that wouldbereallypowerful.

Thefirststepincreatingaplatformisto acknowledgetheyoungerkidsdohavearight tosaythat,liketheydodeservetoputthatout there.Wedodeservetoacknowledgethat.I'm hopingthatthisplatformwouldallowmore listeners.Theconversationofhistorical traumaisaconversation,thatreallyneedsto be.Itisatoughtopic,becausewestartdigging intotheawfulthingsthathavehappenedfor thelastseven(7)generations.Itishardtotalk aboutandit'shardtogothrough.ButIthink thatitwouldbringusmorehealingifwewere tohavetheseconversations.Peoplecanstart understandingwherethehurtandtrauma comesfrom.Wecanstartgivingsolutionsand createhealingmechanisms.”

PhotoSource: Wakjexiskawinga

PhotoSource: Wakjexiskawinga

ThisTrailblazerhashadtwoMountEverest momentsinhiscareer.Thefirstwaswhenhe assistedinthechargetoestablishtheBuy IndianAct‘sfinalrulewithintheBureauof IndianAffairs(BIA).ThesecondwasinMarch, whentheIndianHealthServices(IHS)enacted theirfinalrulefortheBuyIndianAct.These ruleswilleventuallybringhundredsofmillions ofdollarstoNativeAmericancommunities, increasingboththeNative-ownedand HUBZone-ownedindustrialbase.

MountEverestorBust–BuyIndianAct

AfterchattingwithMr.Almaraz,Icameto believethatclimbingMountEverestmight havebeenamucheasierfeat.HisMount EverestmomentwastheBuyIndianAct.This lawpassedin1910butremainedburiedfor overacentury.Asayoungman,thisTrailblazer hadheardstoriesabouttheBuyIndianActand howitwouldallowBIAandIHStoaward federalcontractstoIndian-ownedbusinesses withoutusingthestandardcompetitive process.WhenhearrivedatBIAin2009,he madeaconsciousdecisiontostartclimbing thatmountain.Fouryearslater,onJuly18, 2013,BIAreachedthetopofthismountain withthesupportoflocal,tribal,andnational leaders.Finally,theBuyIndianActhadbecome morethanapromisedeferred.

OnJune7,2013, theAssistant SecretaryforIndian Affairs,KevinK. Washburn, announcedthatthe Departmentofthe Interiorhadafinal ruleforIndianAffairs toimplementtheBuy IndianActof1910(25U.S.C.47,asamended). Mr.Washburnsaid, “Thepublicationofthis finalruletoimplementtheBuyIndianActisa majoraccomplishmentfortheAdministration andawin-winforbothIndianAffairsandthe AmericanIndianandAlaskaNativebusiness community. Theregulationswillprovide certaintyforindividuallyownedbusinesses, tribalenterprises,andAlaskaNative corporationsinterestedinsellingtheir productstoIndianAffairs.Weexpectthiswill helpincreaseeconomicactivityintribal communitiesandprovidegreateremployment opportunitieswherethesebusinessesare located.”

Mr.Almarazsoonsethissightsondoingthe sameforIHS,astheyhadanevenlarger budget–morethan$1.5B.Hesaid,“Ihada greatsupportsystem,includingstaffand colleaguesfortheBuyIndianActfinalrule.I alsohadtremendoussupportfrommy leadership;theywererighttheremovingit forward.Itwasachallenge,butintheend, over6yearslater,thefinalrulewaspublished andmadeeffectiveonMarch14,2022.Ihave learnedtokeepclimbingandnottocount myselfout.Whentheoddsareagainstme,I rememberwheremystrengthandmysupport stemfrom.So,Imakeitapointtoalways acknowledgeandrecognizethestaff,the Tribes,thepeople,andthecolleagueswho haveassistedmealongtheway,andthis includesNative-Ownedbusinesses.”

ThisTrailblazerwillnowhavetheauthority tocircumventtraditionalfederalguidelinesand set-asideopportunitiesforNative-owned businesses,whichareoftenHUBZones.The roadlooksbrightforNative-ownedbusinesses workingwithIHS.Mr.Almarazcanalready anticipatetheavalancheofopportunitiesthat willbegeneratedbythisFinalRule,notto mentiontheresourcesthatwillbuildand improvelifeinIndianCountry.Healsolooks forwardtothebringingtothecommunitythe dollarsthatwillstrengthentheirecosystem includingeducation,innovation,health,and housing.

SantiagoAlmaraz, Director,OfficeofManagement Services,IndianHealthService,HHS

Exceedingthe3%HUBZone

Goal

WhenthisTrailblazerarrivedatIHS,their HUBZonenumberswerelessthan1percent. Hesaid,“Iwaspersonallyembarrassed;Iwas awarethatallIndianreservationswere automaticallyclassifiedasHUBZones.This socioeconomicgoalistieddirectlytothewellbeingofthepopulationIHSwasmandatedto supportandwewerenotmeetingourgoals.It washorrible.”

Mr.Almarazknewhehadagreatteam;he justneededtomakesuretheyhadthetoolsand encouragementtoexceedtheirgoal.He immediatelysoughtthesupportofJonathan Ferguson(IHSSmallBusinessSpecialist)and Mr.KenTruesdale(ActingDirector,Divisionof AcquisitionPolicy).Mr.Fergusonhadproven hiscommitmenttoadvanceequitywiththeBuy IndianActandhadgarneredrespectinIndian Country.Mr.Truesdale,withmorethan40 yearsofacquisitionexperience,demonstrated hisdedicationtotheIHSMissionandtheBuy IndianActinitiative.Together,Mr.Almaraz, Mr.Ferguson,andMr.Truesdale,alongwith manyothers,forgedanalliancepromoting HUBZonesetasideswithineveryNAICScode.

Thiseffortwhichbeganin2016,quicklypaid dividends.InFY20,theyreached3%andin FY22theyachieved3.93%forcontractstotaling morethan$60M.

HUBZoneForecasting Works

Mr.Almarazcreatedaprocesswherebyhis teamaddedvariousHUBZoneopportunitiesto IHS’sforecastinthefirstandsecondquarters ofeachfiscalyear.Theacquisitionstaffdidn’t waittilltheendoftheyear,somehowhoping thattheywouldmeettheirgoal–likesomany otheragenciesdo.Instead,theseprofessionals conductedearlymarketresearchtoensurethat therewouldbeenoughHUBZonesetasidesto potentiallyexceedtheannualtarget.Whenthe endofafiscalyearrolledaround,Mr.Almaraz wouldsurveyhisstafftodeterminewhatitems mightbeappropriateforthesubsequentfiscal year.Hesaid,“We'realreadygaugingour forecastforthenextfiscalyear,andforthose largedollarcontractswearetaggingthemfor certainsocio-economicgroups.”

ThisTrailblazerimplementedmandatory acquisitionpeerreviewstoensurethat contractingofficersandcontractspecialists performtheirduediligencebyincreasingthe socio-economicindustrialbase.Additionally, Mr.Almaraz’steamworkstobuildthe HUBZone&NativeAmericanindustrialbase byproviding,attherequestofsuccessfuland unsuccessfulofferors,ameaningfulpost-award debriefingthatelaboratesonanysignificant weaknessesordeficienciesintheofferor’s proposalandasummaryoftherationalefor award.Thepost-awarddebriefinstills confidenceinthecontractingprocessby affirmingthatproposalsweretreatedfairlyand providesofferorswithfeedbackthatmayassist withimprovementsinproposalssubmittedon futureIHScontractopportunities.

ImportanceofaSiteVisit

IHSisresponsibleforprovidinghealthcare toreservationsandvillagesthatareoften hundredsofmilesfromthenearesttown.Thus, thisTrailblazerwantedhisentireteamtoknow whytheirworkwascriticalandhowmuchit matterstotheIndianCountry.WhenMr. AlmarazfirstcametoIHS,hisentirestaffwas non-Native.Hesaid,“WhenIstartedto communicatetheimportanceoftheBuy IndianAct,Icouldseethattheywere enthusiastictounderstand.Inpartof

PhotoSource:SantiagoAlmaraz

conductingannualacquisitionmanagement assessmentsandreviews,Iinvitedmystaffto participateinthesesitereviewstogetabetter understanding.Thisenablesmystafftogetan up-closeandpersonalviewofthelocationsin whichIHSandTribalhealthcarefacilities resided.Thisofferedaviewofrealitywhere limitedavailabilityofhousing,schools,stores, transportation,andtechnology.They suddenlyunderstoodtheimportanceofthe BuyIndianActandthechallengesIndian Countryoftenfaces.”

Listen–WeHaveaVoice

AsamemberoftheSanCarlosApache Tribe,Mr.Almarazisveryproudofhis heritage.ButlikemanyNativeAmericans,his familybearsthescarsofvoicessilenced.His uncle,asababy,wasadoptedbyanon-Native familythatmovedcross-countryandaway fromhistribalroots.Thismoveoccurredwell beforetheenactmentoftheIndianChild WelfareAct(ICWA),whichpreventedthe arbitraryremovalofIndianchildrenfromtheir homesbypublicandprivateagencies.Laterin life,hisunclewasabletofinallyidentifyand locatehisfamily.Althoughmanyyearswere lost,thewholefamilyisgratefultobereunited.

Itisstorieslikethesethatignitethis Trailblazer.Mr.Almarazsaid, “Iexperienceand witnessthestrugglesthatoccurwhen indigenouspeopledon’thaveavoice.Inow hearmoreIndianCountryintergenerational voices.Voicesthatarefinallybeingheardand wearenotwhowehavebeencategorizedas. Itisnowtimetotakebackourstory.”

Mr.Almarazisusinghisvoiceeverydayto sayhowvaluableNative-ownedbusinessesare tothenation'seconomy.Theybring innovation,createmeaningfulemployment, fostersocialinclusion,andimproveproducts& services.Perhapsevenmoreimportantly, Native-ownedbusinessesnowhaveanequal opportunitytoenhancetheircommunitiesand takeboldstepstoreversetheharmthatwas donetoIndianCountry.

PhotoSource:SantiagoAlmaraz

Thecornerstoneofthistrailblazers’success isfamilyfirst.Whenhewantedtomovefrom employeetoemployer,itwashiswifewho encouragedhisjourney.Yearslater,whenMr. Eliaswantedtoshowhisappreciationforher supportwithexpensivegifts,shedeclined them.Instead,theytookthemoneyand developedaVeteran’strainingprogramintheir HUBZonecommunity.Thistrailblazer’s journeyhasbeenbuiltonhavingempathy,and teachinghischildrenthepowerofhumility, integrity,andmutualrespect.Thesesame valueshavespilledoverintoRELI’sworkplace, creatingacaringculture.Mr.Eliashasoften said,“moneydoesn'tdefineme,whatdefines meisthedifferenceIammakinginsomebody's life.AmIkeepingmyword?Istheworld better?”

RELIisaverysuccessfulHUBZone company,butMr.Eliaswilltellyouthe contractsdidn’thappenrightaway.He encouragesHUBZonebusinessestoplaythe longgame,muchlikehedid.First,buildthe client’strust,findouttheirpainpoints,and offerrealsolutions.Bepatient,stayengaged, celebratethesmallwins,anddon’tgiveup.

DoingWorkThatMatters

HaveyoueverhadMedicaretaxdeducted fromyourcheck?Ifyouranswerisyes,RELI hasprobablybeenworkinginthebackground toensurethatwaste,fraud,andabusedidnot occur.Mr.EliashasbeensupportingtheCenter

forMedicareandMedicaidServices(CMS)for yearstomakesurethatUScitizens65and olderreceiveappropriatebenefits,whichareof criticalimportancetothe5+millionsenior citizenslivinginpoverty.

Itisnotjustaboutthedata,system,orthe process.It’salsoRELI’sabilitytomakesure thattheprogramstheyaredevelopingare sustainableandbenefittheAmericanpublicin thisgenerationandthenext.Thehealthand scienceworkthatthistrailblazerdoestouches theentirenation.Histeamofproject managers,softwaredevelopers,anddata analystsreviewclaims,lookingforwaysto reducefraud,waste,andabusebyachieving datainteroperability.TheymaximizeCMS’s datavalue,helpingtosupportanecosystemof betterhealthequityforournation.

BuildingHUBZone Confidence

BuildingHUBZoneconfidencewill sometimesneedapushfromCapitolHill.That isexactlywhatCongressmanBennyThompson didwhenhechallengedtheDepartmentof HomelandSecurity,TransportationSecurity Administration’s(TSA)leadershiptofind innovativewaystomeettheirHUBZonegoals. ThatchallengeresultedinTSAcreatingand awardingaHUBZoneset-aside.Thistrailblazer hasshownhisgratitudebydeployingateam thatincludesHUBZonescommittedto providingstellarservicetoTSA.

Mr.Eliaswilltellyouaboutthechallenges ofnotonlybeinganewcomertotheagency,but replacingaFortune500company.Youmaynot initiallyhavealltheglitzoftheincumbent,but whatyoudohaveistheauthenticitythatcomes withyourHUBZoneteam’swillingnessto listen,perform,andinnovate.Thistrailblazer waswillingtotakeallthestepsneededto createahigh-performanceTSAteam(the forming,storming,norming,andperforming). Failurewasnotanoption–neitherwere shortcutsforthismission.AsRELIcompleted eachtasksuccessfully,truststartedbuilding. RELIbroughtinwhateverresourceswere needed.Theirteamunderstoodthatifthe projectwassuccessful,profitwouldemerge, anditeventuallydid.TheRELIteammadeit

Mohammad(Sam)Elias, CEO,RELIGroupInc.

throughthehiccups(thosestormingtimes), buildingconfidencewiththeirstakeholdersand provingthatsomethingnewcanbethereboot anagencyneverknewtheywouldlike.

ZeroTrust

Thistrailblazerwasanearlyadopterofthe ZeroTrustmodel,removingbarriersthat threatenedinformation sharingbetweenthe governmentandtheprivatesector.RELIhas beenhelpingtoimproveCybersecurityforthe DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices (CDC&theIndianHealthServices[his])by executingExecutiveOrder(EO)14028todrive adoptionofZeroTrustArchitectureasitrelates tosecuringhealthinformationandmitigating databreaches.Mr.Eliashasateamofsubject matterexperts(SMEs)whoensurecompliance whilesecuringandmonitoringthesystemsas theyrolloutthe5pillarsoftheZeroTrust framework.

RELI’sZeroTrusteventsfor2022include:

1.hostingaNationalSymposium,which willgatherthoughtleadersfromaround thenationtoweighinonZeroTrustbest practicesastheyrelatetoimplementing Biden’sEO14028.ThisOctober’sevent willincludetopicssuchas:SecureCloud Services,SoftwareSupplyChainSecurity Guidance,StakeholderEngagement (EstablishingaCyberSafetyReview Board),Modernization,andothers;

2.Paneldiscussionon“TheImpactof Zero-TrustonFederalGovernmentand WhyWeShouldCare?”attheHUBZone NationalConferenceinAugust.

MitigatingHealthand WorkforceDisparities

Dr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.believedin racialequity–peoplecouldmakeadifference inlevelingtheplayingfieldinthisnation. BecauseofDr.King’sexampleandthebenefits thistrailblazerreceivedduetothatstruggle, Mr.Eliashasmadeithismissionasapersonof colortocontinuethatdreamasitpertainsto healthandworkforcedisparities.Heisworking withSMEsfromHBCUslocatedinboth Maryland(MorganStateUniversity[MSU]) andGeorgia(MorehouseCollege).Their supportintheareasofhealthdataanalyticshas madeinroadsinHealthEquityintheregions. Mr.Eliashopestobeabletodeploythis regionalresearchonanationalscale. Additionally,Mr.Eliashasbeenableto increasediversityonhiscontractsbyhiringand trainingentry levelHUBZoneuniversity students(JacksonStateUniversity,Morehouse, &MSU).RELIprovidestheskillsand opportunitiestomovethemintomid-level technicalandmanagementpositions.This practicehasbeencriticaltoRELI’sgrowthand retention(theirturnoverrateislessthan8%)

BenefitsofSimilarly Situated

RELIhasbeencoachingHUBZonesfor yearsinareasofbusinessdevelopmentand compliance.So,itshouldnotbeasurprisethat thistrailblazerisabigfanof“SBA’sSimilarly Situated”guidelines.Theyhavebeenableto createformidableHUBZoneteamstogoafter contractsthattraditionallywenttolarge primes.RELI’sabilitytoexpanditsHUBZone footprintinagenciesthathavenotmettheir3% goalhasbeenaccomplishedbycreatingtrusted partnershipswithothersmallbusinesses.Mr. Elias’sphilosophyofbeingbettertogetherhas resultedinattractingboutiquebusinessesthat areformidableintheiruniqueskillset.Heoften startsbybringingtheminassubcontractorsto determinehowtheyfit.Afterthatsuccess,he workswiththemtodevelopworksharesthat arefairtotheteamasawhole.

Foroveradecade,shehasbeenblazinga trailforHUBZonecompanieswiththe DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices (HHS)attheCenterforDiseaseControland Prevention(CDC)byhostingHUBZoneAccess ForumsandCapabilityBriefingswithCORs, PrimesandCO.Ms.Miles’innovation approachesgeneratemillionsofdollarsto HUBZonecommunitieswhilegarneringher multipleprocurementandsupplierdiversity awardsincludingWho’sWhoinBlackAtlanta.

TheCOVIDpandemichaspresentednew challengesandopportunitiesforHUBZone companieswishingtosupportCDC.Ms.Miles workswithsmallbusinesscontractors throughoutthenationintheirpursuitofCDC

relatedcontractingopportunities.Shehasmet thishealthcrisiswiththesameresoluteness sheexhibitedduringher30-yearspanwiththe federalgovernment.

Ms.MilesisaHUBZoneprogramchampion fullyembracingthefactthatincreasing economicopportunitiescanhelpimprove healthfactorsinacommunity,whichaligns withCDC’soverallpublichealthmission.To thatend,sheisconsideredbymanya360degreesmallbusinessadvocatewell-knownfor consistentlypromotingcontractidentification, investigation,investment,innovation,interest, implementation,andissueresolution.

Ms.MilescourageouslyadvisesCDC internalstakeholdersonprocurement strategiespromotingthetransitionofsmall HUBZonecontractstolargerHUBZoneIDIQs whileaddressingproposedsolicitationsthat involvebundlingofcontractrequirements.

GwendolynMiles, HHSSmallBusiness SpecialistforCDC

RobPurcell, President,22Vets,LLC

Thecompany,22Vets,islocatedinthe historicStarlineFactory.Acenturyearlier, Starlinewasthehubforstimulating agriculturalinnovationwithhundredsof patentsforstreamliningfarmwork.Today,it servesasaplacethatcontinuestostimulatethe localeconomy–butthistime,forhealthy Veteransandtheirfamilies.AsHUBZone Company,22Vetsprovidesanopportunityto rebuildthisonce-agriculturalcommunityby providingjobsandsuicideprevention assistance.

ThankYouforYourService: MovingfromLipService

When22VETSsays “thankyouforyour service” toaVeteran,itismuchmorethanlip serviceforthem.Yearsago,thisTrailblazer’s non-profitwasstrugglingtoreceivedonations. Theystartedbrainstormingonwaystoraise money.Anideatostartafor-profitcompanyto solveanationalcrisiswasbirthed:22VETS,a HUBZoneTechnologyProductsandServices Business.ThesewereservicesMr.Purcellhad builtacareeraround,butthistimewiththe solepurposeofinvestingtheprofitsinsuicide preventionandintervention.22VETSbecame thebiggestfunderofthenonprofit(Veterans R&R).Mr.Purcellandhisteamlovedtheidea ofhavingVeteransearntheresourcesneeded insteadofwaitingforhandouts.

22VETS’missionhasattractedclientsand personnelfromboththefederalandprivate

sectors.It seemswhen Mr.Purcell sharesthe company’s capabilities, alongwiththevalue-addofsavingVeterans’ lives,theywin.Ithasbeendifficultforthe competitiontobeatthemwhentheyhaveno otherdifferentiators.Forinstance,withthe profits22VETSmadein1monthfromselling interactivewhiteboards,theVeteransR&R programwasabletofeedandhouse10horses forayearthroughitsleadVeteranprogram, OperationWildHorse(OWH),nottomention theVeteransithelped.

BigDifference:Creatinga Purpose-DrivenMission

WhetheritisVeteransorkids,thisTrailblazer isonamissiontomakeadifference.22VETS begansellingitsproductsandservicesin August2021andhassincegeneratedmore than$10Minnetsalesthathashelpedsomany VeteransandHUBZoneresidents.The difference?Someofitliesinattractinghighlevelpeopletotheirworkforceandindividuals whoarereadytojumpshipandjointhemin theirmission.Mr.Purcellbelievesthe pandemichasledtheseseniorexecutivesto rethinktheiremploymentoptions.He frequentlyhearscommentslike.“Theyarenot justsellingservicestotheirclientsbuthelping tosavethelifeofaVeteran.”Forhisworkforce andfederalclients,thisHUBZoneBusinessis morethanacheck-boxtoa3%goal;itisthe differencethecontractsmakeinthelivesof militaryfamilies.

CrisisPrevention:Solvinga Problem

22VETSsupportswhatMr.Purcellcallsthe unknownVeteranstakeholder.Thereisalong listofVeteranswhoshowuptotheirprograms becausethedoorisopen.TheVeteranswho comeuptotheirstaffandsay, “I'monthis planetrightheretodaybecauseofthe programsyouprovidedme.” ThatiswhyMr. Purcellsays, “ifwefail,wefailallofthemand thatisnotanoption.”

TheyconsiderthemselvesbeingmissiondrivenwithaVeteranfocus.Thisincludes programslikeR&ROutdoors,DOGTAG SupportNation,andOWH.OWHisagreat exampleofhowMr.Purcell’steamworkswith

theDepartmentofInterior’sBureauofLand ManagementtorescuewildMustangs.These horseshavebeeneitherchasedbyapex predatorsorroundeduptobe killed.TheMustangsarriveatthe farmtraumatized,muchlikemany oftheVeterans.Together,theygo throughatherapeuticprocessas partofaprogramthatprovidesa safecommunitytobuild significantMustang/Human bonds.Thisprogramhasallowed barrierstofall,communicationto enhance,trusttoform,andmost importantly,healingtobeginfor boththeVeteransandthewild Mustangs.Lastyear,RobertRedfordproduced adocumentarycalled “theMustangs,” which featuredthegreatworkthatOWHis accomplishingforourVeterans.

FromPaintoGain

TounderstandthisTrailblazerevenfurther, youneedonlyaskhimwhathisfavoritequote is.Mr.Purcellwillsay, "Everythingispossible -eventheimpossible" byMaryPoppins.In thatsamespirit,helaunched22VETSmany yearsagotostopthe22Veteransuicidesthat occurdaily.Heknewthiswouldbeanarduous task,butcomingfromafamilyofVeterans,it wassomethinghehadtodo.Mr.Purcellsaid, “AsaVeteran,Ithinkthestoryformeisthat the‘pain’ofbeingincombatversusnotbeing deployedisthesamepain,weallsignupto makeadifference.Thatpaincancause similaremotionalandpsychologicalproblems ifnotrecognizedandtreated.”

Mr.Purcell’sprogramshaveserved thousandsofmilitaryfamiliesandVeteransby creatingcompaniesthatmitigatethepainand sufferingourVeteransexperience,whetheror nottheyservedincombat.Throughthehelpof theirnonprofitvolunteersandprogram

managers,thisTrailblazerhasdeveloped powerfulprogramsthatmixoutdoor recreationalactivitiestogainsafespaces,to dialogueabouttheirpersonalchallenges. Theseareplaceswheretheconversationisn’t aboutempathy,butrather,oneofsimilar circumstances–Veteranswhohavegone throughthesamesituation,whetheritis relatedtopost-traumaticstressdisorder (PTSD)ortheothersideofthespectrum,the guilt,becausetheyneversawcombat.The traumatheyareleftwithisstillveryrealandso isthedevastation.

Mr.Purcellpersonallyunderstandsthepain onecanexperiencefromseeingfriends deployedandnotreturnwhilebeingleft stateside.Hecallsthisone ofhisgreatestregrets. Thatbothershimevery singleday,butthegood newsishehasthe capacitytoremind himselfthatheserved, andheisstillservinghis country.“I'mstillserving myfellowVeterans, increasingtheircapacity tolivelongandprosper, butmostimportantly,providing themwithwhattheycalla ‘PostService Purpose.’”

AsamilitarypoliceVeteran,hiscreedstates thathewill “Assist,ProtectandDefendmy fellowsoldiersandtheirFamilies” andfor him,thatcreedisforlife.Mr.Purcellbelieves thatishismission,thatishiscalling.Yes, therearetimesithasbeenoverwhelmingfor this Trailblazer,butwhenhehasdoubts,he looksinthemirrorandrememberswhoseson heis.Then,Mr.Purcellmarcheson!

PhotoSource:RobPurcell

PhotoSource:RobPurcell

PhotoSource:RobPurcell

Dr.MichaelO.Willis, SocialHealthEquity Activist

Itisimpossibletoputalabelonatrue trailblazer.JustaskDr.Williswhathistitleis. Hetoldmeheisasocialhealthequityactivist.I saidno,“whatisyourjobtitle?”Herepeated, “SOCIALHEALTHEQUITYACTIVIST.”He notedthatwhilejobtitlesareimportant,they oftenonlydescribewhatyoudoorthelevelyou haveattained.Theydonotdescribewhoyou areoryourcharacter.GrowingupinWest BaltimoreandanalumnusofMorganState University,thisTrailblazerhashada remarkableprofessionalcareerandis recognizedinternationallyforhisexpertisein healthcare,organizationaldevelopment,and informationtechnology.Hehasheldexecutive positionsinseveralofthemostprominent technologyandhealthcareorganizationsinthe world.HisgloballeadershiproleswithIBM earnedhimthereputationofastrategic thinker,problemsolver,andresults-oriented executive.AnExecutiveVicePresidentwiththe prestigiousFranklinCoveyCompany,Senior VicePresidentandChiefInformationOfficerof TheAmeriHealthMercyFamilyofCompanies, andcurrentlyGroupVicePresident&Business InformationOfficeratKaiserPermanenteare justblipsonhisresume.

WhoisthisTrailblazer?A MissionFocusedonHealth Equity

Dr.Willisdescribesasocialhealthequity activistasonewhocampaignstoaddress

historicalandcontemporaryinjustices,social determinantsofhealth,aswellaspopulation andcommunityhealthinequities.Hisworkis focusedonensuringthateveryonehasa healthymind,body,andspirit.Dr.Willis’ advocacyalsocentersonensuringthatnoone isdisadvantagedfromreachingtheirpotential becauseofsocialpositionorsocially determinedcircumstances.Hisviewofhealthis holistic,adefinitionthatincludeseconomic, environmental,educational,technological,and socialdevelopment.“Whenyouhavegood health,youhavehope;whenyouhavehope, youhaveeverything”isastatementthatDr. Willisoftenrecites,anditencapsulatesthe importanceofthiswork.

Hispathofenlightenmentandgivingback wasfurtheredstrengthenedwhenDr.Willis wasateenager.Dr.JohnE.MaupinJr.,former PresidentofMeharryMedicalCollegeandThe MorehouseSchoolofMedicine,becamehis lifelongmentorandfriend.Dr.Maupinwalked alongsidehim,constantlyprovidingthe guidanceand,mostimportantly,thesupportto helpthisTrailblazerexcelanduncoverpurpose andmeaninginhislife.Someofthemost importantlearningsandimpactfulworkforDr. Willishavecomefromhisassociationwith StedmanGraham,abest-sellingauthor, speaker,andbusinessmanwhoseworkcenters onIdentityLeadership.Dr.WillisandMr. Grahamhavepartneredoninitiativesformore than20yearsincommunities,K-12 educationalsystems,HBCUs,andcorporations todrivechange.

ThisTrailblazeriscommittedtoreplicating thisassistanceforHBCUsandHUBZone businesses.Heiscurrentlyworkingwithoneof hislongtimefriends,Mohammad'Sam'Elias (CEO,RELIGroup),onanHUBZoneinitiative topromoteCentersofHealthExcellenceat HBCUs.

Leadershipand

AccountabilityBeginsat Home

Dr.Willis’senseofgivingbackandworking withunderservedpopulationsisrootedinhis childhood.Hisparentshadatremendous impactonhischaracterandthepathhislife hastaken.Dr.Willis’mother,whorecently passedattheageof101,wasavesselofwisdom andfaith.Hismother’searlylifewas characterizedbytremendousdiscrimination andsegregation,poverty,theGreatDepression,

andaWorldWar.Herexperiencesgaveher uncannywisdom,herculeanstrength,anda heartfullofcompassionandlove–allofwhich shegavetoherson.Shefeltthatlovewasthe mostimportantwordinthedictionary.She taughthimthatloveofselfandloveforothers werethegreatmotivatorsforpositivechange andequalityintheworld.

Dr.Willis’father,abaggageclerkforthe B&Orailroad,gavehimthemindsettodream andthetoolstomakethosedreamsareality. Hisfatherwasaself-taughtconcert-level violinist,scratchgolfer,championtennis player,andmastercarpenter.Hewasamanof faithandanavidreaderwhotaughthisson thatyoucanlearnanything,doanything,and beanything.WhenDr.Williswas12yearsold, hehadthefollowingencounterwithhisfather thatwouldshapehislifeforever:

Dr.Willisflushedadixiecupdownthe toiletinhishouse.Whenthewaterbeganto flowoutofthetoiletontothefloor,hedecided todowhatmost12-year-oldboyswoulddo.He ranoutofthehouseasfastashecouldand stayedoutuntilthestreetlightscameon.That wasthesignalforneighborhoodchildrentogo home.Ashewalkedaroundthecorner,hesaw hisfathersittingontheirfrontsteps.Hisfather suggestedthattheygoaroundthecornerand getasnow-cone.Astheystoppedtositdown onalittlewallthatledbacktotheirhome,this wouldbetheplacewherehisfatherwould teachhimaninvaluablelesson.Hisfathersaid tohim:

“Thishasbeenatoughdayforyou.You madeamistake;youdidsomethingwrong. Youneedtobeaccountableforwhatyoudid.” Ourtrailblazerfeltashamed,butashelooked athisfather,hesawtearsstreamingdownhis face.Hisfatheratthatmomentadmittedthat

hisdaywasworse.Bracingtohearthebad newshelistenedintently.Hisfathersaid,“For somereasonImadeyoufeelthatyoucould notcometome,andIamsosorryforthat.He said,Son,I'myourfatherandnomatterwhat youdoinyourlife,nomatterwhatyoumight need,youcanalwayscometome”.Healso said,“ifIeverforgetwhatitisliketobeyou orseethingsfromyourperspective,remind [me].”

Dr.Willissaidhisfather’swordsgavehim somelifelongprinciples.Whiletheexperience wasbetweenafatherandson,hebeganto understand,overtheyears,thathisfatherwas demonstratingthetrueprinciplesof leadership.Hisfatherwasteachingabout accountability.HewasalsoteachingDr.Willis thatasafatherorleader,youneedto understandthefears,aspirations,andhearthe unspokenwordsofthoseunderyourcare.He wasshowinghimthatitisultimatelyabout others.Hisfatherpassedawaylessthan6 monthslater,onDecember31,whichwasDr. Willis’13thbirthday.Thefuneralpossession wasseveralblockslong,basedonwhohewas asapersonandnothistitleorposition.

WhatIsYourLife's Blueprint?

Dr.Williswillbethefirsttosay,“always expectsometypeoflifelessonsfromanHBCU professor.”HewasenrolledinanMBA programandthefinanceprofessorstartedwith MartinLutherKing,Jr.'sspeech,“Blueprintfor Life.”Thisspeechbecamehisframeworkfor thepartnershipshehasforgedwithHBCUs andtheHUBZoneBusinesscommunity. Whetherheisworkingwithyoungorold,Dr. Willisbelievesagoodplanmustinclude

ReginaldWillis,Dr.MichaelWillis’sfather.PhotoSource: Dr.Willis

MarvelWillis,Dr.MichaelWillis’mother.PhotoSource:Dr. Willis

dignity,self-worth,purpose,education,and goodmoralvalues.Hefirstverifiesthatthe individual’spersonalblueprintalignswith MLK’sspeech.

“Iwanttosuggestsomeofthethingsthat shouldbeginyourlife'sblueprint.Numberone inyourlife'sblueprintshouldbeadeepbelief inyourowndignity,yourworthandyour ownsomebodiness.Don'tallowanybodyto makeyoufeelthatyou'renobody.Alwaysfeel thatyoucount.Alwaysfeelthatyouhave worth,andalwaysfeelthatyourlifehas ultimatesignificance.Secondly,inyourlife's blueprintyoumusthaveasthebasicprinciple thedeterminationtoachieveexcellenceinyour variousfieldsofendeavor.You'regoingtobe decidingasthedays,astheyearsunfoldwhat youwilldoinlife—whatyourlife'sworkwill be.Setouttodoitwell.”

HUBZoneRelevance

HUBZoneandHBCUpartnershipsaremore relevantthaneverastheycultivatetheirability toharnesstheexpertiseandknowledgeofall participants.Thesepartnershipshavebeen criticallyimportantinchangingournation’s landscapeintheareasofresearch,social change,andeconomicandcommunity development.HBCUs'graduationratesin STEMprograms,medicalfields,engineering, andthesocialscienceshavebeensignificant factorsinimprovinghealthandoverallquality oflifethroughoutthecountry.Dr.Willisstated thatHBCUpartnershipscanprovideadditional benefitssuchas:

• Corporations,FederalContractors,and BusinessOwners—Accesstoapipelineof recentlyeducatedandtrainedindividuals readytoassisttheminachievingtheir respectivemissions.

• CommunityBenefit—85%oftheHBCUs areinHUBZonecommunitieswheresocial andeconomicdevelopmentisneededmost.

• EconomicDevelopment—Increasejobs, educational,andtrainingopportunities whileleveragingresourcesandexpertiseto promotegrowthandprosperity.

• AcceleratingBusinessOwnershipand Entrepreneurship —Abilitytopromote entrepreneurshipviacampusdegreesor certificateprograms.

• SubjectMatterExpertise —Ready resourcestoresearch,collect,deliver,and teachcomputerliteracy,financialfamily planning,jobsearches,andcareer development,etc.

UnlockingPotential

ThenationneedstheexpertiseofHUBZone businessesandHBCUstounlockthepotential thatresidesineverycommunitytoallowusto achievebiggerdreams.Thesepartnerships createahigh-performanceecosystembasedon inclusionratherthantheexclusionarymethods seeninthepast.AsaTrailblazer,Dr.Willisis optimisticaboutthefuture.Hestated, “we mustbemindfulthatachievinghealthequityis asizablegoalthatdemandsanunwavering commitment;andchangewilldemanda collaborationandacommunityof partnershipsatthenationalandlocallevel.”

Inclosing,thisTrailblazerismore convincedthaneverthathisparentshadit right.Maybetoimprovehealthequity,weneed morewisdom,accountability,leadership,and love.

Manybelievethehighestformof trailblazingisaJointVenture(JV).Thisis whentwoormoretrailblazersareabletotrust eachotherenoughtopooltheirresourcesfor thepurposeofgainingadditionalcontracts.A HUBZoneJVtakesonaspecialsignificance becausethattrustoftenbenefitsmultiple communities.ERPInternationaland ProSource360havesuccessfullyachievedthat leveloftrust,andithastakenontheformofa JVnamedERProsource360.BothMr.Skyles andMr.Elywilladmittheyhadtokissalotof frogsbeforetheyfoundtherightcompanyto settledownwith,butintheend,thejoythey havebeenabletobringtoHUBZone communitiesinWestVirginiahasbeenworth it.

Bothtrailblazerscomefrommilitary families.Theirmilitaryfathersinstilledinthem adeepsenseofcommitment,adaptability, tenacity,andintegrity.Afterservinginthe military,Mr.Skyles’fatherstartedhisown business.Watchinghisfatheroperatethe businessbecamethecatalystforMr.Skylesto establishProSource360.Hesaid, “Iwouldn'tbe whoIamtoday.Heabsolutelywasa trailblazer.Iwatchedhimleavehisjob,take theriskofstartinghiscompany.Iwatched himbuilditonsomefoundationalprinciplesof leadershipinservice.”

CreatingJobsWhereThey AreNeededMost

TheArmydiditright.ThisMorgantown contractoperatesinaHUBZone-centricarea, wheretheJVisabletohavebillableresources whoactuallyliveinthecommunity.These trailblazershavebeenabletocreateandsustain high-payingjobsinruralHUBZone communities,wherethey'reneededmost.The

JV’semployeesoftentravelhalftheworld, wheretheyrolluptheirsleevesandaccomplish thephysicallabortosupportourmedical troops.

AligningDualPurposes

Theimpactthesetrailblazersarehaving globally,becausetheychoosetoworktogether, willhaveadominoeffectonourgenerationand theonestocome.TheirJVsupportsthe medicalneedsofDoDandVA,activemilitary dependents,andVeteranswhilecreatingjobs andserviceswithinHUBZonecommunities.

Mr.Skylesisenergizedeverytimehehasa meetingwithhisMorgantownstaff.His employeesmakeitclearhowmuchthey appreciatethelogisticalworktheydoforthe ArmyMedicalServices.Hesaid, “thesefolks lovetheirjobsandaren’tafraidtotell everyone,manyofthemhavebeenonthe samecontractformorethan10years.My employeestalkabouthowthiscontracthas beenthebestthingthateverhappenedto them.Thisworkissopowerfulfromthe standpointwegettobringneededjobstorural HUBZonecommunitieswhileensuringthe readinessofourArmymedicalforceswiththe suppliesandmaterialsneededinmilitary installationsinplaceslikeGermany,Korea, Japan,Hawaii,Texas,NewYork,Utah,and California.”

PhotoSource:HUBZoneCouncil

BenSkylesandhisteamatWVUfootballgame.

BenSkyles, CEO& President,ProSource360

JohnEly, COO& President,Health Solutions, ERPInternational

OceanYouCan'tGoBack

BothMr.SkylesandMr.Ely’sapproachto turningbackisthesame:“theyaretoofarout intheoceantogoback.”Whentimesget extremelydifficult,theypresson,knowingthat failureisnotanoption.Theyhavetwofamilies tosupport:theirDoDclientsandHUBZone workforce.

Beforethesecompaniesjoinedforces,they oftenexperiencedwhatitisliketobeinthe oceanbyyourselfwithnolandinsight. ERProsource360remindsthemthattheremay bedaysthattheyareintheocean,buttheyare notalone.Eachtrailblazeristheretoensure thattheothergetstoshoresafely.That’sthe powerofamatureJV.

JointVenture:Listento

WhatTheySay,ButWatch WhatTheyDo

Actionsspeaklouderthanwords.Mr.Elywas verycautiousaboutbeingpartofanotherJV. Hehadbecomewearyfromhiscompany’s previousfailedattempts.Itseemedtohimthat hiscompanykeptgivingandalltheother companieskepttaking.Mr.Elywascomingto theendofhispatience,butMr.MelvinPetty, hiscompany’sCEO&ManagingPartner, thoughtProSource360wasworthit.Withthat push,Mr.Elystartedwatchingverycarefully howMr.Skyles’steaminteractedwithclients anditsworkforce.Hewasthenconvincedthat theyhadthesameethos.WhenMr.Elythinks backonthoseearlierfailedJVs,hehastoadmit thereweresigns.Whenaskedwhatadvicehe wouldgivehisyoungerself,Mr.Elysaid, “watchcarefullywhattheothercompanyis doing.Howtheytreattheirworkforce,their clients,andeventheircompetitors;makesure youarereadingtheentireroom.”

RuralAmericaToo:PutAll ofAmericatoWork

Mr.Skylesbelievesthattoomanypoliticians aremisinformedabouttheHUBZone program’smission.Thisworkforceprogram benefitsruralAmericanstoo.InWestVirginia, ERProsource360isbuildingworkforcecapacity andsustainabilityinruralareas.Thereare thousandsofruralHUBZoneareasinAmerica. Ourcountry’spoliticalleadersneedtojoin forcestoadvocateforjobcreationand sustainabilityineveryoneofthem.The ERProsource360employeesaren’tunique–therearemillionsofruralAmericanswho wouldappreciatework,too.

There’sEnoughFoodonthe Table

Thesetrailblazershopethatmorebusinesses willjoinforceswiththeirHUBZone counterpartstoempowerthesecommunities. ProSource360hasbeenabletoleveragetheir largerpartner,ERPInternational,tosubmit RequestsforInformation(RFIs)andSole Sourceresponsestowincontracts.Thisteam believestherearesomanyproblemsinthe worldthatneedtobesolved,fromlogisticsto diseases.Thereisroomatthetablefor HUBZonecompaniesthataretenaciousand wanttomakeadifference.Finally,weallknow thatcomplexproblemsneedateamofsolution providers.Ourtrailblazerswilltellyou-and haveproven-thatHUBZoneJVscanofferthe righttechnicaldepthtosolvethosecomplex problems.Let'smakeHUBZonesthevendorsof choice.

MelvinPetty(ontheleft)andBenSkyles(ontheright)

PhotoSource:BenSkyles

Ms.DavisisaTrailblazer,whetheratSandia orinchallengingpoliciesattheAlbuquerque BoardofEducation.Sheistrulyaforcetobe reckonedwith.Ms.Daviswillquicklytellyou thatherindependentspiritanddiplomacywere aresultofherparents’happymarriageand instruction.Formorethanthreedecades,they andotherfamilymembershavebeenthebest examplesofwhatitmeanstobesupportive, courageous,caring,andindependentpeople. Hergrandmotherwouldsay, “takecareof yourselffirst.Youcannotgivetootherpeople untilyouarefullywhole.Yourcuphastobe full.Whenyourcupisoverflowing,thenyou cangooutandgivetoothers.”Thosewords continuetoenergizeMs.Davistosupport HUBZoneBusinesses.

ThisTrailblazermentionedintheinterview howtheseskillsweretestedwhenshewas visitingafriendinDubaiandaconflictarose. Shefoundherselfstrandedinthisforeign countryduringRamadan.Thefirstthingthis Trailblazerdidwasassessherresourcesand executeaplantocontinueher10-daytrip.No, shedidn’tcallhomeforalifeline.Instead,she proceededtofindahotelthatcould accommodateherwhileshedideverythingshe hadplannedtodoasasingle,non-Muslim woman,whilerespectingtheRamadan observances.Herabilitytoremainresilientand flexiblewhilenavigatingthemostdifficult situationscontinuestomakeherapowerhouse inthesmallbusinesscommunity.

InFY22,almost80%ofSandia’scontracts wenttosmallbusinesses.Asacontracting officer,thisTrailblazerbelievesincreating collaborativepartnershipsbypromoting competition.Shehastheresponsibilityof executingcontractsthatensurethatSandia staffreceivethebestproductsandservices whilepracticingmeaningfulcorporatesocial responsibility.

Withover50%ofNewMexico’s communitiesbeingdesignatedasHUBZone, Ms.Davistakeseveryopportunitytoeducate Sandia’sengineersontheimpactHUBZone contractshaveontheircommunities.Sheis committedtohelpingthelaboratoryexceed their3%goalbyeducatingandhelpingher internalstakeholdersunderstandtheexpertise HUBZonecompaniescanofferSandia.Ms. Davismakessurethatherengineersrealize thatHUBZonecontractsimpactimpoverished communities.Theybringmeaningful employment,increasepropertyvalue,and attractotherbusinesses.

SandiaisOpenforBusiness

Ifyou’reaHUBZonecompanythatoffers productsorservicesthattheLaboratorybuys, Ms.DaviswantsyoutoknowthatSandiais openforbusiness. HUBZonecontracts arethenumber-one priorityatSandia. Theyworkdiligently tomeetthe3%goal byaggressivelyusingthe10%HUBZonePrice PreferenceAdjustmentoneveryaward. Sandia’sHUBZonebuyershaveastreamlined processthatdecreasespaperworkwhenthe appropriateparametersaremet.

Thereareplentyofopportunities,and despitewhatpeoplemaysay,Sandiaputs requirementsonthestreetforcompetitionall thetime.Ms.DaviswantsHUBZonebusinesses toknow,ifyou’restrugglingtogettheattention ofthebigboysatDoD,considergoingaftera contractwithSandia.AnexcellentCPARfrom Sandiagoesalongwaytoopeningdoorsinthe DoDarena.Furthermore,ifyoudon’twin,Ms. Davisisalwaysdelightedtogiveyousome informaltipsonhowtomakeyoursubmission betterthenexttime.Shebelievesthatfailureis justanotheropportunitytoreceivefeedbackfor afuturewin.

JennaMykalDavis, SubcontractManager, SandiaNationalLaboratories

InTheirFootsteps

Ms.Davishasalotofheroes,mostofthem women.Itstartedclosetohomewithher grandmother,whoearlyon,instilledpositive valuessimilartothoseofnationalinfluencers likeCongresswomanAlexandriaOcasio-Cortez (AOC),apoliticaldisruptorforyoungpeople, women,andherparty.Ms.Davissaid, “I admireanywomanouttherewho's independent.Whousestheirvoiceandpower forgood.Theonesthataren'tafraidtospeak theirminds.Theonesthathaveopinions,I admirethem.”

Ms.Davissharedastoryaboutafascinating womanshemetatabarbecuewhosestoryhas influencedhertothisday.

“Imetthisreallywonderful80-something year-oldItalianwoman.Shehadgotten marriedat18yearsoldtoaverytraditional Italianman.Hemadeitclearthatherrolein themarriagewastobeamothertohis childrenandtokeephouse.Shewasnot allowedtogetaneducationorajob.Thatwas somethingthatalwaysreallybotheredher. Shedecidedtostarttakingnightclasses withouthispermissionandwouldsneakout everynighttotakeherclasses.Shedidher homeworkwhilehewasatwork.Ittookhera longtimebuteventuallyshereceivedherPh.D. Thencametherecessionandherhusbandlost hisjobandcouldn’tfindanother.Thisiswhen shewenttoworkasaPh.D.scientistatLos AlamosLaboratories.Shetoldmehow preparingwhenthedoorsareclosedtakes unwaveringfaithintomorrow.”

Herstoryremindsusthatanythingis possibleifwestartandstayoncourse.

ThePowerofTwo

Whenasked,whoisyourhero,Ms.Davis responded,hertwinsister,Elena.Elena’s presenceshowsupinalltheworkthis Trailblazerhasaccomplished.Ms.Davishas alwaysbeenclosetohersister.Bythetimethey were6yearsold,itwasclearthatMs.Davishad assumedtheroleofprotector,ashersisterwas bornwithDown’sSyndrome.Herparentsmade thedecisiontoputtheminseparateschools becausetheycouldseethatMs.Daviswasn't livingherownlife.Whentheseparationfirst occurred,Ms.Daviswouldhavestomachaches atschoolbecauseshewassoworriedabout whatwashappeningwithhersister.She

wantedtobetheretogivehertheextrahelp sheneeded.

Hersisterhastaughtherhowtobean advocateforothers,whichsparkedherpassion inservingsmallbusinessesfromunderserved communities.

OvercomingtheStereotype

Ms.Davis’srootsareamixofSpanish, Mexican,Anglo,andNativeAmerican.When askedwherethelastnameDaviscamefrom, shewilltellyouaboutthechildhood discriminationherUS-bornparentsfacedin theircommunities.Howtheymadethehard decisiontogivetheirdaughterstheAnglo grandfather’sname,alongwithfirstnamesthat wouldbehardtostereotype,toescapethe hardshipstheyexperienced.

Ms.Davismakesituncomfortablefor prejudgingtotakeplaceinhercommunity. WhetheritistakingontheAlbuquerqueSchool Districtsonsegregatedyearbooksorcontract disparity,sheisleadingthecharge.Sheis makingsurehergenerationwillhavethe freedomtochooseanamewithoutjudgment.

HUBZoneBusinessesLook OutfortheEntire Community

Ms.Davisisanextraordinaryadvocatefor theHUBZoneprogram.Sheencouragesher colleaguestotalktothebusinessownersto learnabouttheimpacttheyarehavingontheir community.Sheremindshowawarding contractstoHUBZonebusinessesisreducing unemploymentratesandincreasingcapital investmentswithinoureconomicallydistressed communities.

SabrinaThompson, OfficeofAcquisition& GrantsManagementCMSContractingOfficer

SabrinaThompsoniscurrentlyusingher trailblazingtalentsastheContractingOfficer (CO)forCentersforMedicare&Medicaid Services(CMS).TheCouncilunderstandsthat severalyearsago,theHUBZonebusiness communityaskedAnitaAllentheSmall BusinessSpecialistatCMShowtheycould partnerwithhertoopenupmoreIT opportunitiesatCMS.Thispartneringledto HUBZonesrespondingtoCMS’sSources Soughtannouncementswithincreased frequencyandbetterquality.

TheresponsesrevealedthatHUBZone companieswerebuildingadearthofskillsin theareasofHealthAnalytics.Acasewasmade

toMs. Thompson andherteam thatthose small businesses particularly HUBZonescouldsuccessfullyaccomplishthese tasks.Thewordonthestreetwasthat“Ms. Thompsonandherteamseizedtheopportunity toleveltheplayingfieldforthesmall businessesatCMS.”Thus,theacquisition processforDataAnalyticsSupporting Healthcare(DASH)wasborn.

TheHUBZonecommunityconsidersher roleasaninfluencerkeytocraftingan innovativeacquisitionstrategywhichclearly supportedtheutilizationofsmallbusinesses. CMSconductedaphasedadvisoryevaluation formatwhichincludedrelevantexperience alongwithmultiplevideochallenges.

HUBZonesfeltthattheacquisitionprocess washandledinsuchawaythattheCMSclients wouldbeassuredofreceivingexceptional servicesfromallawardeeswhilestillproviding equitytoHUBZonevendors.

In2022,DASHa$500millionBPAtouse agiledeliveryservicestoimprovethequalityof careatCMSwasawardedto10businesses. Moreimportantly,Ms.Thompson’steam selectedsixHUBZones(AnalyticaEsimplicity, IndexAnalytic,NextPhaseSolutionsand Services,SparkSoftandRELIGroup)in accordancewiththesolicitationbasedonGSA’s schedulessocioeconomicstatusofHUBZone.

TrailblazingisaChoice

Itisthedecisiontotakethepaththat certainlywillbeuncomfortable.At12yearsold, PresidentFreemanHrabowskiIIIdecidedto marchintheBirminghamChildren’sCrusade withMartinLutherKing,Jr.,knowingthe possibleconsequences:jail,waterhoses, beatings,andattackdogs.Hewentanyway. Thiscourageousactresultedina5-dayjailstay thatwouldshapehisentiretrailblazing journey.Forthelastthreedecades,Dr. Hrabowskihasbeenamongthemostsuccessful universitypresidentsinthenation.Histeamis disruptingtheworld’sviewofHUBZonesand MinorityServingInstitutionswithsuccesses likewinningtheMid-AtlanticCollegiateCyber DefenseCompetition(2021Regional,2020 Regional,and2017NationalChamps);2021 defeatofYaleUniversitytowintheAmerican MockTrialAssociationNational Championship;receivingnation’shighestlevel ofresearchperformance(Research1)andin 2021Forbes’Magazinerankedthemamongthe nation’stop50publicuniversities.UMBCis showingthiscountrythatyoudon'thavetobe richtobetheverybest.Whatapowerful lesson!PresidentHrabowskisaid,“the Americanstory—that’swhatUMBCis,a formidablebrain-trust.”

Designation

Companiesweresuddenlyattractedto UMBCbecauseofitsHUBZonestatus.Thefact thatthesecompaniescouldgetadditional accesstofederalcontractsalongwithUMBC’s cybersecurity,govtech,andbiotechexpertise wasalluring.PresidentHrabowskiwasquickto giveanexampleofthissymbioticrelationship withDelaliDzirasa,CEOofFearless,agraduate ofUMBC,andaHUBZoneCouncilmember.He birthedhisbusinessintheResearchParkand subsequentlyexpandedhismissiontoinfluence thenextgenerationofentrepreneurs.Today, UMBCcontinuestoattractstudentslocally, nationally,andinternationally.Theirenrollees includefirst-timeoffendersandstudentsfrom morethan100countries.Thisdiverse,multiculturalstudentbodyiseagertolearnand morethanwillingtoinnovateasitdisruptsthe oldwayofdoingthings.

Inthe1990s,UMBChadtodispeltwo majorcommunityconcerns.Thefirstwasthat biotechmeantthatgermsandviruseswouldbe releasedintotheircommunities.Thesecond wasthatgrowthwouldleadtotraffic congestionintheirneighborhoods. Fortunately,UMBChadelectedofficials advocatingforthem,andthoseofficialsquickly dispelledthemyths.Today,thecommunityis thriving–andremainsgratefulforthe revitalizationandthethousandsofjobsUMBC hasbroughttothecommunity.Clearly,the CongressionalHUBZoneframeworkers envisionedsuchresults.

PresidentHrabowskistated,“we'reina HUBZonethatbuildsonthisnotionthatwe needtogiveaccesstopeoplewhomightnot havehadaccessbefore,allofthisfitsintothe visionofUMBCasaminorityserving institutionwithstudentsfromallover…who havebeenunderrepresentedinsuchareasas cybersecurityandbiotechnology.”

Entrepreneurship

In2006,UMBCreceivedagrantfromthe KauffmanFoundationtobuild entrepreneurshipprograms.Thisgrantquickly becameacatalystforteachingstudentshowto beentrepreneurs.PresidentHrabowskisaid thisignitedthefollowingshiftinhisfocus:

“Ittaughtmethattheuniversityshouldbe workingtohelpsomepeoplegetjobs,butit

Dr.FreemanHrabowskiIII, Presidentof UMBC

“Thereisthecreationofjobsanda culturethatallowspeopletofail,to risk,tolearn,andtosucceedthe nexttime.”

shouldalsobeworkingtohelpsomepeople createjobs,andthisiswhatIhadtolearnasa middle-classkidoutofBirminghamthatisnot justaboutgettingajobit'saboutcreating regionswhereyouarecreatingjobsandwe've beendoingthatnow…itmakessucha differenceandthat'sthelessonforthecountry.

We'vegottopreparemorepeopletobe entrepreneursandapartofthatworkand beinganentrepreneuristhatwehavetomake surethatweallowpeopletofail,Iknowthisas amathematicianworkingwithalotofscientists sometimesyoulearnmorefromthefailure thanfromtheeasysuccess…resilienceyouget knockeddownwealldoandyougetbackup andyoulearnfromthosemistakes...thishas ledtoourcreatinganumberofthese companiesintheResearchPark.Thisisa lessonthatyouonlylearnthroughexperience otherwiseallyouthinkaboutisfindingthe peoplewhocanquitefranklyfillthe jobs...Thereisthecreationofjobsandaculture thatallowspeopletofail,torisk,tolearn,and tosucceedthenexttime.That'sbeenthelesson I'velearnedoverthepast30years.”

NerdyCampus

Thenumberofminoritygraduatesinthe areasofScience,Technology,Engineering,and Math(STEM)fromUMBCisstaggering.At UMBC,dependingonyourage,nerdyiseither “cool”or“chill.”TheUrbanDictionaryagrees, callingitunbelievablyattractive–thenew sexy.TheMeyerhoffScholars’Programhas helpedprepareminoritystudentsforacademic careersintheSTEMdisciplines.President Hrabowski,faculty,andstudentshaveworked hardtoliveuptothatnarrative.UMBCisthe leadingproduceroftalentfortheNational SecurityAgency(NSA)–asamatteroffact, morethan1,200oftheirgraduatescurrently workthere.UMBCgraduateshailfrommajor organizations:afewnotablesincludeDrs. KizzmekiaCorbett,COVID-19vaccineleader; formerSurgeonGeneral,JeromeAdams;Ralph Semmel,DirectorofJohnsHopkinsApplied PhysicsLaboratory;andJamesClements, PresidentofClemsonUniversity.

UMBCstudentsareseriousabouttheir education–they’veprovenit.Whetheritis winninganationalcyberdefensecompetition orbeatingYaleatthemocktrials,these studentshaveproventhattheycanexcelin ethicsandphilosophy;theyalsoexcelin technology.SaidbestbyPresidentHrabowski, “weneedthecountrytofeelgoodabouthaving

somenerdinessbecausewhenwelookatthe competitionfromChinatoRussia,wehaveto havekidsthatwanttobereallygood,really highachievingandexcitedaboutthis work...WhatItellmystudentsallthetime,we arepreparingyoutochangetheworld!Every timeyouhelponepersonyou’rechangingthe world,everytimeyouhelponechildlearnto readortolovemathematicstheworld changes.”

Relationships,Partnerships &Commission.

AschairofPresidentObama’sAdvisory CommissiononEducationalExcellencefor AfricanAmericans,PresidentHrabowskisaid, “itcan’tjustbeonesectorthatwetalkabout; it'snotjusteducationorthepublicsectorit's howyouconnectprivateandpublicsectors togethertobuildapipelinetocreatethejobsto buildtheeconomy”.UMBChasforged relationshipswithstrategicpartnerswitha viewofhowtheuniversityeducatesAfricanAmericansandotherstobetheirbest.Those partnershipsarecriticalasgraduatesrefine theirskills,seekprofessionaljobs,andlaunch theircareers.

Itisveryimportantforthebusiness community,universities,andschoolstohave multi-levelpartnerships.OneofUMBC’smost enlightenedbusinesspartnersisNorthrop Grumman(NG).NGhiresabout100UMBC studentsannuallyintechnologyareas.NGalso mentorsyoungentrepreneursandhelpsthem buildcybersecuritycompanies–andhelps thembringincustomers.NGalsoworkswith UMBCattheelementary-andmiddle-school levelstobuildacontinuouspipelineformath andscience.NGsupportsUMBC’sCenterfor WomeninITtoattractwomenintotechnology areas.Finally,NGhasbeenastrategicpartner inbuildingtheeconomyintheircorridor. Maryland’sGovernorandlegislaturework togetherwithUMBCtopromoteitseducational mission,suchasMarylandInstitutefor Computingalongwiththefirstapprenticeshiplevelcybersecurityprograminthenation.

InJune2022,PresidentHrabowskiwillbe leavingUMBCtostartthenextchapterofhis journey.Wearegratefultohimandwishhim allthebest.Havingjustreviewedhisbook, “TheEmpoweredUniversity:Shared Leadership,CultureChange,andAcademic Success,”theCouncilcan’twaittoseewhat trailheblazesnext.

ItisaWonderfulLife.

ThefirsttimeImetthistrailblazer,Iknew therewassomethingspecialabouthim.Dr. McCraryseemedgenuinelyinterestedinwhat everyonehadtosay.Itdidn’tmatterwhether itwasabuildingsecurityguard,astudent,ora CEO,thistrailblazerwaslistening.Just recently,Ifoundouthowhestaysso energized.Hetoldmehelovesmovies, particularlytheoldones.Hisfavoritemovieis the1946versionof“ItisaWonderfulLife,”in whichJimmyStewartplaysGeorgeBailey. GeorgerunstheBaileyBrothersBuildingand Loan,whichprovidesmoneyfortheordinary persontomoveoutoftheslumstohome

ownership.Mr.Baileywasn'tmakingalotof money;hedidwhathedidtochangepeople’s lives.ThefamilyinBedfordFallswhodidn't haveachance,Georgegavetheman opportunity.Dr.McCrarycomparedthework theUniversityoftheDistrictofColumbia (UDC)hasbeendoingtotheBailey’sBrothers BuildingandLoan.

BlueCollarSTEM (Science,Technology, Engineering,andMath)

Dr.McCraryhasbeenablue-collarSTEM advocateforyears.Heisquicktocite statisticalevidenceofblue-collaroccupations thatrequireSTEMskills.Theseareworkers withhighschool,vocationaltraining,or2yeardegrees–peoplewhorepresentover10% oftheUSjobmarketandover50%ofthe STEMlaborforceaccordingtotheNational CenterforScienceandEngineeringStatistics. Dr.McCraryhasurgedtheNationalScience Board(NSB)andCongresstoinvestin

“Ifyouthinkaboutournation'sHBCUslikeUDC,wearethenation'scapitalonlypublicHBCU. Weofferopportunitiesthatmanyofourstudentswouldn'thaveinotherinstitutions.Iwasbornand raisedinDC,sowhenIwenttoHoward,alotofmycolleaguesstartedtheirundergraduate educationatUDCbecauseitwasaffordable,andtheyopenedthedoorsforthoseformanyofmy colleaguesandmanyoftheresidentsoftheDistrictofColumbia.IcansaythesameforHBCUsthat areacrossthecountry.Theyhaveopenedtheirdoors,caringfortheircommunities.Iseeus,likeI said,I'mGeorgeBailey,Idon'tdoitforthemoney,I'moutheretomakeadifference.Mypurpose istochangelives,touplift,toelevate,andempowerthenextgeneration,evenfolksinmy generation.I'vebeenblessedwithsomanygiftsthatitisuptometosharethosegiftswith everybody.WhatbetterplacetodoitthanataHBCU,andmoreimportantly,attheUniversityof theDistrictofColumbia,whichislocatedinaHUBZone.”

Dr.VictorMcCrarywithtwoNewSTEMDeansfor EngineeringandScience

Dr.VictorMcCrary, VicePresidentfor Research,UniversityofDistrictColumbia,&Vice Chair,NationalScienceBoard

programsthatfocusonthis segmentoftheSTEMworkforce. Forinstance,MacombCounty CommunityCollegeoutsideof Detroithasmorethan50,000 students.Thecollegehasa programteachingthenext generationoftransmissionand automobilemechanicsaspartofa curriculumthatincludeshowto usesophisticatedscientific equipmenttodiagnose automobileproblems.Theseare STEM-basedskillsthatdon't necessarilyrequireabachelor’s degree.

PhotoSource:Dr.VictorMcCrary

Asstatedpreviously,TheNationalCenter forScienceandEngineeringStatisticsandthe NSFaretakingasecondlookatthis workforce,whichnowrepresentsnearlyhalf oftheSTEMjobs(19millionskilledtechnical workers).TheSkilledTechnicalWorkforce (‘BlueCollarSTEM)representsacross-section ofAmericaintermsofdemographicparity, theseareoftenpeoplewithoutdegreesbut whohavecertificationsinthisareaand contributetooureconomy.They'rehelpingus keepouroverallscienceandengineering ecosystemvibrantandinnovative.

TheDepartmentsofEnergyandDefense havelaboratories,facilities,andbaseswhere theycanonlyhireU.S.citizens.TheUS Navy’sbaseinNorfolkisoneoftheworld’s largestbases,andtheblue-collarSTEM/ skilledtechnicalworkforceiscriticaltoits operations.Thebaseneedsweldersand electriciansforthenewgenerationof submarinesandothervessels.DoDisalready concernedthat,astheolderworkforceretires, theremaynotbeenoughworkerswiththese skillstofillthedemand.

FutureofITand Manufacturing

InpartnershipwithMorganState University’sDr.TimothyAkers,UDC’sDr. MarilynHamilton,DeanofUDC’sCommunity College,isleadingtheir2-yeardegree programinQuantumInformationSystems (QIS)tobelaunchedin2023.UDCis developingacurriculumtoupskillworkers whowillbeabletogointothequantumarea. Theywillbedealingwithextremelyfast computersthatusealgorithmstosolve

complexproblemsthatimpacteveryindustry. Codebreakingwillmostlikelybeatthetopof thelist,resultinginnewtypesofsecurity algorithmsandahostofproblemsforour workforcetosolve.Thus,thefutureoftheIT andManufacturingworkforcemaybeinthe handsofacademicleadersliketheonesat UDC–theindividualswhospendcountless hoursensuringthattheSTEMworkforceis readyforwhatevercomestheirway.

TheNationalAeronauticsandSpace AdministrationawardedUDC$3millionto establishaCenterforAdvanced ManufacturinginSpaceTechnology&Applied Researchwithafocusonresearch, investigatingadvancedmanufacturing techniquesandtheirapplicationinspace explorationtechnology.Theywillconduct nanotechnologyresearchinnano-scale electronicsfornext-generationcomputers, metaladditivemanufacturing,andnanomaterials-basedenergysystems.Theywillbe devisingnewtechniquesandprocessesthat willbeusedinmachineshopsacrossthe country.ThiseffortisbeingledbyDr.JiaJun XuinUDC’sSchoolofEngineeringand AppliedSciences.]

TheOfficeoftheNationalCoordinatorfor HealthInformationTechnologyoftheU.S. DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices awardedUDC$8.7milliontocreatea consortiumaimedatidentifyingand educatingindividualsfromunderrepresented backgroundsinpublichealth,informatics,and datascience.ThiseffortisbeingledbyDr. MashondaSmith,DeanofUDC’sWorkforce DevelopmentandLifelongLearningdivision.

VictorMcCrary,PhDVicePresidentforResearchOfficeofUniversityResearch UniversityoftheDistrictofColumbia

Yes,YouCan

Dr.McCraryhasalonglistofheroeswho haveimpactedhistrailblazingjourney.He startedwithhismilitaryfatherandverymuch hismother(his#1hero!!!),whowereunable toliveonthemilitarybasebecauseinterracial marriageswereillegalthen.Thenquickly movedtohissiblings,grandparents,aunts, unclesandcousins,whosweptfloors,served food,changedIVbags,andcleanedthetoilets. Thoseauntsandunclessaidofhim,“Hewas goingtobetheonetomakeadifference.” Theyweretheworkerswhofueledhis advocacyforblue-collarSTEM.

ThentherewasDr.DeanCollins,his formerbossattheHigh-Performance ComputingDivisionoftheNationalInstitute ofStandardsandTechnology,who encouragedDr.McCrary,achemist,topursue electronicbookstandardsasanareaoffocus. Thisledtohimrunningthefirstelectronic nationalbookconferenceofindustryleaders

andthefirststandardizedlanguagefor electronicbookswithhighschoolstudents creatingtheprototype.In2000,theSecretary oftheDepartmentofCommerce,Norman Mineta,awardedDr.McCrarythe Department’sGoldMedalawardasacorecipientfordevelopingelectronicbook standards.

Dr.McCraryhasspenthisentirelifewith family,friends,mentors,andallies,all remindinghim,“Yes–YouCan.”When PresidentObamaappointedhimtotheNSB,it wasoneofhisproudestmoments.(President ObamaisalsooneofDr.McCrary’sheroes, too!)Tobethrustintothelimelightasa nationalchangemakerbyoneoftheultimate transformationaltrailblazerswasDr. McCrary’sgreatesthonor.

Partnerships–Making ThemNow

Dr.McCraryurgesHUBZonebusinessesto embracethetalent withintheir neighborhoods.The PresidentofUDC, RonaldMason’s mantra,is,“talentis equallydistributed everywherebutaccess isnot”andHUBZone businesseshavean excellentopportunityto providethataccess. Innovationis everywhere,fromthe Appalachian Mountainstothe

Dorothy“Juanita” Williams PhotoSource:Dr.Victor

VictorRexMcCrary

PhotoSource:Dr.Victor McCrary

PhotoSource:Dr.VictorMcCrary

acceleratethedevelopmentofnew technologiesandproductsthatimprove Americans'wayoflife,growtheeconomy,and createnewjobs,andstrengthenandsustain U.S.competitiveness.TIPwillestablish regional"innovationengines"throughoutthe U.S.Theseinnovationengineswilladvance use-inspiredresearch,entrepreneurship,and workforcedevelopmenttonurtureand accelerateregionalindustries,usheringina transformationalrevolutionofbusinessand economicgrowthregionallyandnationally thatstrengthensbottom-up,middle-out growthinindustriesandcommunitiesacross America.”

JustlikeNSF,weasacountryneedtopull allourintellectualresourcesfromevery communitytofacewhatDr.McCraryviewsas aSputnik2momentinourcountry’shistory. Ourforeigncompetitorsareextremelyfierce, and,insomeareas,theU.S.hasfallen criticallybehindthem.Itistimetomakesure everyone(black,white,brown,yellow,red)is attheworkforcetable.Diversityisthis nation’sgreatestassetoverforeign competition,butfirst,wemustovercomethe factthatmanyofusaredifferent.Ifwecan livewiththat,NSF’snewestDirectoratewill thrive.

OneofDr.McCrary’sbeststoriesabout relationshipscomesfromthemedical industry;itwentlikethis.

ADoctorgavehismedicalstudentsatest

withanextracreditquestioninorderforthem togetapassinggrade.Thequestionwas ‘What’wasthenameofthewomanwho sweepsthelearninglaboratories?The studentscouldn’tunderstandwhythatwas important.Hesaid,‘it'simportantbecause you'regoingtobeservingalltypesofpatients. Iftheyarejustbodiestoyouwithoutnames, youreallycannotfulfillyouroathasa physician.’

Heremindsusoftheimportanceof transformativerelationships.Tothispoint, oneofhisfavoritebooksis“DigYourWell BeforeYou'reThirsty”byHarveyMackay.

FinalThoughts

JustlikeGeorgeBaileyin“Itisa WonderfulLife”wasabletobuildawhole housingdevelopmentfortheleastofthosein hiscommunitywithpassionandashoestring budget,HUBZoneshavethatsamegritin theirprofession.HUBZonebusinesseshave beenplacedincommunitiesthatarehungry, anditistimetounlockthattalentbeforeit atrophies.

AsDr.McCraryalwayssays, “Ifyou arenotatthetable,youareonthe menu!” Getinvolvednowwithyour localHBCUsandHUBZones!!

Dr.VictorMcCrary,fourthonefromtheleftin.NationalScienceBoard2016-2022

PhotoSource:Dr.VictorMcCrary

Thistrailblazerhasgonefromsurvivingto thriving,havingalmostdrownedthreetimes beforehewaseven16yearsold.Thelasttime wasinthe“BigFloodof77”inSouthernWest VirginiaandEasternKentucky.Hewas holdinghis1-year-oldnephewtightly,butthe riverwasabouttoconsumethem.Hisbrotherin-lawandbrotherreachedoutfirmlyand pulledthemtosafetyasthehillsidegavewayto fast-movingfloodwaters.Thiswasprobably thefirstforeshadowingoftheimpactDr.Akers wouldhaveontheHUBZoneprogram. HUBZoneBusinessesreachingouttohelp, oftenhavingtoholdtightlyontothatyoung personwhoneedstomakeitorthatolder personwhomayneedafewpeopletodrag themtoeconomicsafety.

TounderstandfullyDr.Akers’passionfor theunderserved,weneedtotakeyoufurther back.Thistrailblazerwasoneof8children whosecoal-miningfatherlostthefulluseofhis leftarminacoaltruckcrash.Dr.Akersgrewup intheheartofAppalachia,whichisnow designatedaruralHUBZone.Heremembers thatworkwasscarce,andhisfamilyhadto movemorethanadozentimeswhilethefather workedanyconstructionjobhecouldget.Dr. Akerslivedinabjectpoverty,upanddown “hollers”inruralAppalachia,wheremost peoplewerepoor,yetwouldshowhowmuch theycaredbyanonymouslyleavingboxesof foodontheirporch.Theyknewfullythathis

parentswouldneveracceptcharity.Dr.Akers believestherearealltypesofhunger-physical,spiritual,andintellectual--andheis onaquesttoensurethathistorically underrepresentedcommunitiesareatthetable, feastingonallthatournationhastooffer, includingQuantumLiteracy.

AcceleratingtheQuantum LiteracyWorkforce

WhenDr.AkersheardthattheHUBZone programwasaboutworkforcedevelopment,he wasanaturaladvocate.AtMorgan,hefound kindredspirits-businesseswherediversity, equity,andinclusionwerepartoftheirethos, notacheckboxonanapplicationform.These relationshipsprovidedthefoundationforDr. Akers’NationalQuantuminclusionmission, ensuringthattheunderservedwere significantlyrepresentedinallaspectsofthe industry.

Quantum Artificial Intelligence Nascent Taxonomies

Tothisend,Dr.Akerslaunchedthe “NationalQuantumLiteracyNetwork (NQLN)”,havingbeentoldbysenior administratorsandresearchersthatNSFwould neverfundhisresearchbecausehedidn’thave aPhDinQuantumPhysics.Refusingtolisten tothenaysayers,Dr.Akerspulledtogethera teamofHUBZones,MinorityBusiness Enterprises(MBEs),andotherHBCUstotackle thequantumliteracyissuewithfolkslikeDrs. DeniseBakenandKevinPeters.Theyhelped leadthechargethatresultedinMorgan receivinganNSFPhase-1awardofmorethan $911,000foraQuantumLiteracyprototype.

Whatthenaysayersdidn’tknowwasthat Dr.Akershadsurvivedmultipledrowningsfor agreaterpurpose.Dr.Akers’trailblazing journeyisnotaboutreceivingcredit,butabout thelegacyhecreatesforthenext generation. Themottohelivesbyis, “ifnotus,thenwho,

Dr.TimothyAkersandDr.KevinPeters

Dr.TimothyAkers, AssistantVicePresidentfor ResearchInnovationandAdvocacy,MorganState University,Member,NationalQuantumInitiative AdvisoryCommittee

Manufacturing--Quantum Leapfrogging

QuantumManufacturingisanascentindustry inwhichHUBZonebusinessescanstillbuild, assemble,fix,modify,andshipproducts. HUBZonebusinessesneedtothinkabout supplyingtheproductsofthefuture,which includetechnologiesandcomponentsfor quantumcomputers,quantumlasers,quantum sensors,andquantumnetworks,amongothers. ThisisexactlythedirectiontheNational HUBZoneCouncilandtheHUBZone manufacturerscanmoveinbecausethesenew industrieswillallowthemtoleapfrogforward intocutting-edgeSTEMandnon-STEM research.Dr.AkersbelievesthatifHUBZones don'tdoitnow,they'regoingtobeleftholding ontotheshirttailoflargermanufacturers.

DrivingtheEconomicEngine

Workforcedevelopmentisnotsomething thatis“loosey-goosey;”itisthecoredriverof ournation’seconomicengine.WhentheUnited Statesfailstoinvestinitsworkforce, particularlyinblue-collarSTEM,theeconomic index,communities,andfamiliessuffer.A QuantumLiterateworkforcedevelopment ensuresthattechnicians,journeymen,and othersaretrainedtomeetthedemandnowand inthefuture.

CreatingHigh-Performance InnovationTeams

Thisprocessbeginswithleavingnochild behind.Dr.Akersfailedboth5thand6th gradesandwastoldhewas“stupid”despitehis abilitytocreatethingswithhishands.Dr. Akers’highschoolwasavocationaltrade schoolinelectricalwiringandelectronics.He eventuallyenteredtheU.S.AirForce,wherehe specializedinnuclearweaponssecurityand waspushedtohighperformance.Duringhis service,heusedhistechnicalskillstoexcel,and aftergoingtoCommunityColleges,receivedBS andMSdegreesandattendedLawSchool.Dr. AkerseventuallyreceivedajointDoctoratein NaturalResourcesandUrbanStudies.He

believesnoneofthiswouldhaveoccurred withoutleaderswhowerechampions promotingtheinclusionneededtobuildstrong teams.

Dr.Akers’foundationininterdisciplinary themeshasbeenacatalystformanyofthe programsandprojectshehassupportedor undertaken(fromAIDSresearchtoaerospace proposalstohistheoryofepidemiological criminologyandnowquantumliteracy).The teamsthatexcelledweretheonesthatvalued theirdifferences,leveragingdivergentthought toaccelerateinnovation.Thiswasnotjust STEM,butnon-STEMaswell.TheNQLNisa High-PerformanceInnovationTeammadeup ofindustryleadersfromHUBZones,MBE, HBCUs,FederalLaboratories,Non-Profits,and largebusinesses,allsittingatthetableto support hyper-disparityinQuantumLiteracy.

Dr.AkersbelievesNSFhasfiguredout,with theirnewdirectorate(Technology,Innovation andPartnerships),thatsupportingcritical partnershipsamongindustryandacademiawill leadtowardmajorworkforcedevelopmentfor the2ndquantumrevolution.Heaskedmeto drawa5-pointedstar,eachpointrepresenting MinorityServingInstitutions,Major Universities,MBEs,MajorCompanies,and FederalAgenciesworkingcollaborativelywith QuantumLiteracyatthecenter.Nowcanyou imaginethebrightnessofthatstar,with millionsofhigh-performanceteamsworking aroundthenation?Thisisthemissionofthe NationalQuantumLiteracyNetwork.

Thistrailblazerusedhisinitialfailuresto blazeatrailforotherstofollow.PassITOnis locatedinaHUBZonecommunityintheheart ofBaltimoreCity.Ithasonebigvision: providingtechnologyeducationtoall.Dr. Sanderstrulybelievesthatrace,class,or socioeconomicstatus–orwhetherpeopleview youasacelebrityorabum–shouldnotimpact yourtechnologyliteracy,letaloneacareerin IT.

Dr.Sandersisthemiddlechildoffive,and wasexpectedtobethenextITWhizKid.His hardworkingsingle-parentmotherwas countingonit.Shehadstruggled,working threejobstomakesurethatherchildrencould succeed.Withherson’s3.6GPAand acceptancetocollege,thatvisionwasaboutto becomeareality.Butthatrealitychanged whenDr.Sanders’journeywasalmostderailed becauseofthedisparitiesintechnology educationinhispublichighschool.Heshowed upeagertolearnbutill-preparedforwhathe wouldbefacing.Dr.Sandersquicklyfell behind,unabletokeepupwiththerestofthe studentsorconnectwithhisprofessors.Each semesterbecamemoredifficultandDr. Sandersstartedtobelievehecouldn’tdoit–so hedroppedoutofcollege.

Thankgoodness,hismomdidnotgiveup. Shestartedworkingtobuildbackhis confidence.WhenheattendedTowson Universityin1998,theyonlyoffereda ComputerSciencedegreeanchoredin programming.Hismothersuggestedthatthere mightbeothertechnologyareasinwhichhe mightexcel.Eventually,sheconnectedhim

withaprogramthatintroducedhimtoa differenttypeofcomputertechnology.Itwas calledcomputernetworking.Dr.Sandershad alwaysbeenahands-onlearner:breakingstuff andputtingitbacktogetherwashispassion. Whentheyintroducedhimtocomputer networksandhardware,somethingclicked.A keywasturned,changingthewholetrajectory ofhislife.Hehadsuddenlyfoundhisniche. Herecallstellinghismother,“thisis somewhereIcouldfitinto,information technology.”Dr.Sandershasbeenstudying thosepathwayseversince,fromindependent studiesandcertificationsallthewaytohis DoctorateofScience(D.Sc.).

ExposureIsCritical

Dr.Sanders’firstcertificationlandedhima jobattheIRSasanITfederalcontractor.As hemetmoreandmoreblackandbrownpeople inthefield,hediscoveredthathisjourney wasn'tunique.Otherpeoplehadgone throughthesamestruggles.Didtheyhavea momlikehis?ThisiswhenthevisionforPass ITOncameintofocus.Whatifhecould

LamontNorwood(ontheleft),WillieSanders(middle-

Hedecidedtocreateanorganizationthat wouldexposepeopleindifferentwaysto informationtechnology.Heisnowaprofessor intheComputer&InformationSciences DepartmentatTowsonUniversityinTowson, Maryland–theveryschoolhehaddroppedout ofbecauseofhisITexposure.Alongtheway, heaskedhisKappaAlphaPsifraternitybrother LamontNorwoodtojoinhisBoardof Directors.Thatactexposedhimtothe HUBZoneCouncilandtheworkwearedoing aroundthecountry.

Dr.WillieSanders, Founder &ExecutiveDirector,PassIT On,and ClinicalAssistant Professor, Departmentof Computer&Information Sciences TowsonUniversity

LamontNorwood, Board Member,PassITOnCEOof StrategicGovernment Solutions

Mr.Norwood’sstorywasalittledifferent. HefinishedatTowsonUniversitybutendedup frustratedandtooktheonlyjobhecouldget, whichwasreadinggasandelectricmetersin theCityofBaltimore.Thistrailblazer’sjourney changedwithachancemeetingwithhisuncle inthemiddleoftheday.Thediscussionledto himsharinghisjobquest,andhisuncle immediatelyconnectedhimtoafederal employer.ThatexposureresultedinMr. NorwoodworkingfortheDefenseDepartment asaContractingSpecialist.

BarteringMakesa Difference

Dr.Sandershasfiguredoutaworkaroundto thefundingchallengesofPassITOn.He developedanarrangementwithanother association,theMarylandCenterforVeterans EducationandTraining(MCVET).Inexchange forfacilityspaceandequipment,PassITOn becameMCVET’sITServiceprovider.Dr. Sandersandhisteamprovidethenecessary servicestokeepMCVEToperational24/7. InsteadoftryingtotackletheITliteracy problemalone,PassITOnpartnerswithother organizationswhoareservingsimilar populations(homeless,disadvantagedyouth, underemployed,careerchangers),barteringto leveragetheirtalents.

FeedingaNon-Profit

AfederalretiredNationalProgramManager forDirectProcurementwiththeU.S. EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Mr. Norwoodhasonemajorregretfromthosedays: thathecouldnevergethisagencytoreachthe 3%HUBZonegoal,nomatterhowhardhe pushed.Heisstillpassionateaboutthe HUBZoneProgramandfoundagreatallyin Dr.Sanders.COVIDhitthefundingforPassIT Onhard.Theirdonorsdriedup,butnottheIT trainingdemand.TheFederalWorkforce InnovationandOpportunityActprovidesstateadministeredtrainingcontracts,which measuresuccessbyjobplacements.These trailblazersnoticedthatveryfewemployersare willingtohiretheirat-riskgraduates. Therefore,PassITOnwillbelaunchingPayIT Forwardasafor-profitHUBZoneBusinessin ordertohiretheseindividuals.ThisHUBZone companywillcreatetheITemployment opportunitiestheseuntappedresources deserve.

Importanceof Shadowing

PassITOnhasthreemainprograms:Youth TechnicalTraining,WorkforceDevelopment, andEmpowermentFellowship.These programsarebringingITliteracytotheDMV area,fromintegratingmusicmixand masteringsoftwareinPublicSchoolsto infusingtechnologyintotheParksand RecreationDepartments.Dr.Sanders,a classicallytrainedoperasinger,hasmadesure thatitismorethanSTEM:itisSTEAM (Science,Technology,Engineering,Art,and Math).PassITOnprovideshands-ontraining thatallowsstudentstoshadowthementors, teachers,andcoaches.

VinodAkunuri,arecentgraduateofthe32weekintensiveEmpowermentFellowship Program,isnowatrainerinPassITOn’s CommunityLiteracyProgram.Mr.Akunuri considersPassITOnalife-changing experience;heispartofabiggerfamily.Itis clearthatthisyoungdisrupterisaboutto influencethenextgenerationofsavants,having justgraduatedfromTowsonUniversitywitha majorinInformationTechnologyandaminor inAppliedAdultsDisabilitiesStudies.Hehas becomepartofthenextgenerationofPassIT Onadvocates.

Tofindoutmoreabouthowyoucansupport PassITOnclickhere [Donate|passitonmd].

TuskegeeUniversity’sfacultyandstudents havebeenmajorinfluencers.Whenpeoplehear thenameTuskegee,theythinkofatleastafew ofthefollowingmajoraccomplishments,but therearefarmore.

•Originatorandproducerofthefamous "TuskegeeAirmen,"inpartnershipwiththe U.S.ArmyAirCorps.

•TheoffspringoftwoAmericangiants, BookerT.WashingtonandGeorge WashingtonCarver.

•NumberoneproducerofAfricanAmericanaerospacescienceengineersin thenation.

•Theonlyhistoricallyblackcollegeor universityinthenationdesignatedasthe locationforNationalCenterforBioethicsin ResearchandHealthCare.

Onehundredforty-oneyearslater,nothing haschanged.JustaskVictorHolttheCEOof V-TechSolutions(V-Tech)howTuskegeeis changingtheHBCU/HUBZonebusinessmodel withhiscompany.WhenV-Techneededtohire 100employeesforaDepartmentofEducation callcenter,itwastheTuskegeestudentsthat answeredthecall,literally.Thissimplestart hasgrowntoabroadarrayofpartnershipswith TuskegeethatrangefrombothSTEMandNonSTEMinternshipstofull-timeemploymentVTechacertifiedHUBZonecompany.

GameChanger: StudentInternship Program(SIP)

Tuskegeeisknowntoprovide opportunitiespredominantlyfor theirstudentsgraduatinginthe STEMdisciplinesbutV-Techplans toexpandthisscope.Mr.Cooper believesthattherelationshipthat TuskegeeisforgingwithV-Tech willbeagamechangerforallits stakeholders.Studentsin Tuskegee’sCollegeofArtsandScience,Allied Health,andSocialWorkwillnowhavemore opportunitiestoengageinexperientiallearning activities.Mr.Coopersaid, “I’mveryexcited.I thinkthesetypesofopportunities,exposures andcollaborationswillcertainlychangethe trajectoryformanyofourstudents.Thisis fantastic.”

Whenthreesociallyconsciousorganizations (Tuskegee,V-Tech,andICFInternationalInc. (ICF))collaborate,itisnotsurprisingthatan innovativeStudentInternshipProgram(SIP) willemerge.SoonafterMr.CooperandMr. Holtstartedworkingtogether,theydiscovered theyhadaprimecontractorincommon.Itwas ICF.Thisprimecontractorwantedtodevelopa meaningfulrelationshipwithTuskegeewhich hasledtothisHUBZonecompanyworking withTuskegeetodesignandimplementSIP. Studentsarebeingrecruitedforongoing contracts,rightnowV-Techisawaitinga contractdecisionthatwouldprovide employmentopportunitiesforadozenlife scienceandsocialsciencestudents.Whatthey accomplishedwithSIPthissummerhas spawnednumerousinnovations.Studentsand facultyarelookingforwardtolaunchingthe secondcohortfornextyear.

LegacyandBeyond

Theworkthathisteamisaccomplishingis groundedinboththeHBCUandAirforce community.In1969aformerTuskegeeAirman Clarence“Lucky”LesterandthreeU.S. DepartmentofDefenseanalystsfoundedthe Inner-CityFund(nowknownasICF)tofinance minority-ownedbusinesseswhileV-TechCEO isalsoAirforceminorityveteran.Mr.Holt wantedtodomoretohighlightthis brotherhood.Theirnextteamprojectwillbe capturingthisrichlegacyonvideotobe releasedintheFall.Mr.Holtsaid, “I’mexcited

WalterCooper, DirectorCareer Education,Leadership DevelopmentCenter,Tuskegee University

VictorHolt, CEO,V-Tech Solutions

thatV-Techispartofthisrichhistory.Weare stillworkingonthestory:legacy,creating legacy,andbeyond.Wewantstudentsand alumnitobepartofthisvideo.Ourteamis capturepivotaleventsthroughouthistory.For instance,duringthecivilrightsmovementthe TuskegeeAirmenweretheonesthatwere flyingallofthenewsreelstoNewYork everydayby4pmsotheworldcouldseethe injusticesthatwasoccurringinAlabamaand inMississippi.”

DreamJob

Mr.Cooperisanon-traditionaleducator whosepathhasincludedbeingintheAirForce, workingasacorporateprojectmanager,and owningabusiness.Butnowhegetstolivehis dream.Everythinghehasbeenthroughand donehasleduptothismoment.Whereelse couldhewakeupeachmorningknowingthat theworkheisdoingisbuildingonaworldclasslegacy.Mr.Coopersaid, “I’mhonoredto beacastmemberinTuskegee’strailblazing story,bridgingthegapbetweenHUBZone companies,alumni,currentstudents,and staff.Helpingourstudentsfulfilltheirlife goalsandaspirationswhilemeetingtheneeds ofourindustrypartners.Tuskegeeprovides theworldwiththetypeoftalentthatistruly workforceready.”

Co-Create

AnyHUBZonecompanythatwishestowork withMr.Cooper’steamshouldbereadyforthe co-creationjourney.Theirgiftedstaffand studentsexpecteveryonetogetinthetrenches inordertosolveproblems.Wewantbothour studentsaswellascorporatepartnerstobe involvedintheevaluationandassessmentof engagementsuccess.That'showTuskegeeis abletocontinuetomakethenecessary

adjustmentstoprovidethetalentedstudents thattheworkforceneeds.

Tuskegeehasbuiltanecosystemthatbenefits alltheirstakeholders.Theirpartnershavebeen willingtoinvestinthenurturingand developmentofTuskegee’sstudents.Tuskegee buildslastingrelationshipswiththeirindustry partnerscreatingbreedinggroundsfor innovationandgrowthforallstakeholders.Mr. CooperhasasuperbpartnershipwithV-Tech, hebelievesitisprobablybecausetheyare groundedinsomeofthephrasesthatMr.Holt constantlyshares,whichis “GoWhereThereis NoPathandBlazeaTrail”; “FACE:Focus, Accountability,Commitment,andExecution”; andfinally,“Whentheysayno.Isaythat'sjust fortoday.Don'tworryaboutit.Theanswer WILLCHANGE”.

RuntoTuskegeeUniversity

IfyouareaHUBZonebusinessownerand havetherightethos,itistimetoruntoward TuskegeeUniversity!ThisHBCUhasaniconic legacy,theyhaveprovenhowtosoarinthe mostdifficulttimes.Tuskegeeissynonymous withexcellence.Itisinstilledinalloftheir students.Mr.Coopersaid,

“Whencompaniesarelookingfortalented innovativethought-provokingindividuals,I thinkofatrueTuskegeewomanora trueTuskegeegentleman.Theyare enterprising–theyareconfidentintheir uniqueness–theyarecomfortablein sharingtheirvoice”

PhotoSource:WalterCooper

PhotoSource:WalterCooper

EmailAddress:

WhypartnerwithmyHBCU?

Thenumberonereasonanyenterprisewould wanttopartnerwithBethune-Cookman University(B-CU)isbecauseofthetalentpool thatisnecessaryfor21stcenturyworkforce growth.Everyinstitutionandeverycompany needsskilledtalent,andouruniversityis committedtopreparingstudentsfortheneedsof themarket.Infact,centraltoBethuneCookman’smissionistodevelopstudentswith theskillsandcompetenciesthatarenecessary fortodayandtomorrow.Ifyouhaveaninterest inpartneringwithB-CUtohelpyoudevelopnot onlytheprofilesforthetalentthatyou’re tryingtohire,thenouruniversityisreadyto partnerandgrowwithyourcompany.

learningopportunities.

AvailabilitySupport: Fall,Spring2024, Summer

Program2: KnowledgeofWork(Know) program.Individualscanearncredentialswhile theyworkintheindustry.Theircurrentand pastexperiencehelpsBethune-Cookman’s studentsfinishtheirdegrees.Thisprogram providesupskillingopportunities.B-CUworksto developaco-curriculumwiththestudentswhich considerstheoccupationalskillstheyemployat work.Thisuniversitygivesstudentscreditfor theworktheyaredoingonthejobwithout havingtositinaclassroom,study,andthentake anexamination.Studentsareabletomove quicklytowardcredentialssuchasmicrocertification,macrobadging,ormovingtowards degrees(undergraduateandgraduate).

PopulationType: Undergraduate&Graduate Goals: Adultlearnersarethefastestgrowing categoryoflearnersinthiscountry.BethuneCookmantreatsitasalifestylenotaneventwith programswhichleverageeachstudents’talents. Thisuniversityisaboutcreatingapathto supportandincreaselifelonglearningforadults.

AvailabilitySupport: Fall,Spring2024, Summer

WhatdoesyouridealBusiness Partnershiplooklike?

Anidealbusinesspartnershipisonewherewe arecollaboratingonoutcomesforboththe institutionandthepartner.Allstakeholders haveclearmetricsforwhatsuccesslookslikefor bothparties.Weallagreetomutuallyinvestin thestudentstobringaboutthoseoutcomes.If youarelookingtomakeanimpactintheareas oflifelonglearningthisistheuniversity,you shouldconsiderpartneringwith.

Dr.LawrenceDrakeII, Bethune-CookmanUniversityInterimPresident,

drakel@cookman.edu

WhypartnerwithmyHBCU?

Wemakesureourstudentsarecompetitivefrom aneducationalandskillperspective.We considerourstudentstobethecreamofthe crop.Weofferourstudentsaworkprogram whichgivesthemvaluableexperiencewhile mitigatingtheusualfinancialeducationaldebt. ClintonCollegehasabusinessAdvisoryCouncil thatincludesleadersfromthecommunity leveragingtheirCharlottelocation,abanking andfinancialhub.

Whataretheprogramswhichcould benefitmostfromapartnership withaHUBZonecompany?

Program1: NursingProgram/Nursing RelatedServices

PopulationType: Undergraduate, Faculty

Goals: Increasegloballythenumberof highlyskilledminoritynurses.Thesenurses wouldtheirtechnicalandhand-onexpertiseto provideexemplarycaretotheirstakeholders.

ClintonCollegewantstopartnerwith organizationsthatcanprovidepaidinternships tomeettheseneeds.

AvailabilitySupport: FallandSpring

Program2: BusinessProgram (EntrepreneurialPrograms)

PopulationType: UndergraduateandFaculty Goals: ToleverageClintonCollege’sprograms inManagementandFinanceinordertoproduce entrepreneurialleaders.Leadersthatarecapable ofcreatingfundablebusinessplansand sustainablecompanies.

ClintonCollegewantstopartnerwith organizationsthatcanprovidepaidinternships workingalongC-suiteexecutivestomeetthese needs.

AvailabilitySupport: FallandSpring

WhatdoesyouridealBusiness Partnershiplooklike?

Idealpartnershipunderstandstheriskand rewardsofcoachingandsponsoringourgifted students.Companieswillingtocollaboratewith studentsandourscholarlyfacultytomake thingshappen.

TheseSponsorsarewillingtoaskquestionsand listenfortheanswers.Partnersarecommittedto employingavarietyofapproachestofoster Clinton’svisionsofdevelopinganecosystemof leaderscapableofthrivingwithinaglobal exchange.relationshipsthatwillbeneededto supporttheworkofthecollege.

Dr.IkeUgboaja, AssociateDeanofAcademic Services,BusinessChair,ClintonCollege EmailAddress: iugboaja@clintoncollege.edu

EmailAddress: MICHAEL_STUBBLEFIELD@subr.edu

WhypartnerwithmyHBCU?

SouthernUniversityresidesinaHUBZoneand encouragessmallbusinessestoobtainthis certification.Asasmallbusinessouruniversity canexpandyourreachbyaccessingfaculty subjectmatterexperts,students,andfacilities. Ourfacultyandstudentsarealwaysthinking abouthowtosolveproblems.

Wecanbetheextraarmtoyourcompanywhen itcomestorespondingtoopportunitieswhether federal,state,orprivate.Whenwegoafter contracts,weareabouttechnologytransferand innovation.Wearethesecretsourcetohelpyou wincontracts.

Weareallaboutexpandingourfootprintin land,air,andspace.OurHBCUGoesGlobal programemphasizessmallbusiness relationshipsincommunitiesabroad,including Africa.Bytargetingspecificindustries,weplan toleveragetheState’sSTEPprogramwhich providesfundingtosupportsmallbusiness tradetrips.

Additionally,wehavepartneredwithNASAand BoeingCorporationasoneoftheiresteemed Protégés.Wewouldliketoworkwiththe privatesectorincreatingasmallbusiness manufacturinginitiative.

Whataretheprogramswhichcould benefitmostfromapartnership withaHUBZonecompany?

Program1: Co-CreateyourownTeam:If thereare3or4companiesthatcometogether, Southern,includingourLouisianaSmall BusinessCenter,willworkwiththemtodevelop awinningsolution.

ThisincludesBusinessDevelopment,Capital Formation,Innovation,TechnologyTransfer andTechnologyAssistancesupport.

PopulationType: Undergraduate,Graduate, Faculty Goals: Developapipelineofbusinesspartners toworkwithus.

AvailabilitySupport: Fall,Spring,Summer Program2: FederalOpportunitiesProgram

PopulationType: Undergraduate,Graduate, Faculty

Goals: Expandthetypeofresearchandservice projectsourfacultyandstudentscanworkon.

AvailabilitySupport: Fall,Spring,Summer

WhatdoesyouridealBusiness Partnershiplooklike?

LouisianarecentlypassedanSBIRincentive programtoencourageinnovationwithinthe state.Southernstandsreadytoworkwithsmall businessestofullytakeadvantageofthesetypes ofstrategiesasitrelatestoourSTEM curriculumandaccesstolaboratoryfacilities andspace.

Dr.MichaelStubblefield, OfficeofResearch&StrategicInitiatives,ViceChancellor, SouthernUniversityandA&MCollege

HowardUniversityisinaHUBZonethat continuestoproducetrailblazersinevery industryincludingDr.CarlaWilliams.These visionarieshelppeopleseetheirideas,find waystocommunicatethemsootherscan understand.Sheencouragespeopletoliveina “bravespace.”Thespacewherenooneelsemay seeyourproductorservice.Dr.Williams believesthattrailblazersaredrivenby curiosity.Theartofdiscovery,findingoutnot onlywhatwedon'tknowbuthowtousethat knowledgetomakeadifference.Ultimately, we'realltryingtoleavesomethingbehindthat's goingtohelpsomeoneyouknowthatcomes

behindus.Asthe keynotespeakerfor WomeninScience, Dr.Williams discussedallyshipin scienceand strategiesfor advancement reminding registrantsto embracethejourney andtrusttheprocess.Sheappliesherclinical psychologybackgroundtoequipscientistsand communityhealthadvocateswiththeskillsto maximizetheimpactofcollaborativeresearch. Dr.Williamssays,“communicatingitina languagethatallyourstakeholdersunderstand isparamount.”

Ashealthsciencesresearchleader,shehas seenthecommunityengagementprocess playoutinvariouswaysfromproducts, services,andideasnotreadyforrelease,tothe worldnotreadytoreceivethem.Everyone receivesinformationdifferently,oneofthejobs ofacollaborativetrailblazeristheirabilitylook ataproductorservicefromdifferent perspectivesanddeterminewhichmetricsare valuableandthosewhichdon’talign.

Ifleaderscan'tgetpeopletoseetheirvision, thentheywon’tfindpeoplewillingtoinvestin itspotentialimpacts.Thiswasevidentduring COVIDasthecountryfocusedonissuesof healthdisparitiesandhealthequityaffecting AfricanAmericansandunderrepresentedor sociallymarginalizedcommunitiesincluding HUBZones.

Dr.CarlaWilliams, AssociateProfessorof Medicine&PublicHealth&InterimDirectorofthe HowardUniversityCancerCenter

MeenaKrishnan, PresidentandCEO, Inoventures,LLC

Ms.Krishanhascontinuedtobea trailblazerinthemidstofgreatsorrow,when otherswouldhavegivenup,shecontinuedon. Sheusedtheunspeakabletragedyoflosingher entirefamilyinacaraccidenttoeventually forgeahead.Itwasn’teasybutherpainwas transformedintopurpose.

Sheembracedthechallengeandbuilt InoventuresintothesuccessfulPublicHealth technologyfirmitistoday.Shefoundagreater purposewhenshestartedsupportingthe HUBZoneProgram.Themissionofcreating employmentopportunitiesforthe underutilizedwassomethingMs.Krishanwas passionateabout.Thisclearlyalignedwithher valuestatement,“Technologyiswellusedwhen itempowerspeople.”Shethoughttoherself, “whatbetterexamplethantobecomecertified asaHUBZoneCompany.”Overtheyears,this hasbecomeoneofthepiecesthatwouldbring healingfromherlost,leavingalegacyforher family.

Ms.Krishanhastakenontheuniqueroleof beinga“trailblazermidwife.”Sheisknownfor aidingandproducingotherwomentrailblazers. Shemotivateswomeninhercompanytodream bigandgoaftergoals.Atangiblerecordofthat isreflectedby60%ofherProjectTeamshaving womenleaders.

AspartofWomenInBoardgroup,Ms. Krishanhelpsotherwomentomakea differenceinCorporateBoards.Additionally,

sheadvocates forother professional womenby contributing toimportant policieson theBoardof Womenin PublicPolicy (WIPP)and Women Business Collaborative.

Herpassionhashelpedotherwomen leadersreachtheirfullestpotential.Often engagingprofessionalwomenbyspeakingin forumssuchastheWomeninTechnologyand NCMAPanelswhereherstoryisshared,so othersgoaftertheirdreamswithoutwaiting.

Shehasexpandedherreachtoassisting younggirlsbeingforcedintomarriagebefore theyevenreachpubertytobecometrailblazers.

MichelleBurnettandMeenaKrishan

Thistrailblazer’smomwastrulyavirtuous womanwhomadehisjourneyevensweeter. For35years,CharlesRobinson’smother workedatFordElectronicsasablue-collar STEMworker.Mr.Robinsoncreditsherwith layingthefoundationforhim,especiallyall those “BringYourKidstoWork” events.At4 yearsold,hewitnessedhismomoperating lithographymachines–theonesthatcreated thecomputerchips–andhewashooked.That experiencepropelledhimintotheSTEMfield.

CongressionalTestimony

Recently,morethan50yearslater,Mr. RobinsongavetestimonytotheHouse's SubcommitteeforCybersecurity, InfrastructureProtection,&Innovation.He testifiedonstepsbeingtakenintheQuantum arenathatwillbe “SecuringtheFuture: HarnessingthePotentialofEmerging TechnologiesWhileMitigatingSecurity Risks”.

SubcommitteeChairwomanYvetteClarke askedsomepointedquestionsofour Trailblazer,particularlythisone: “As quantum-resistantcryptographybecomes availableitisimportantthatboththe governmentandtechnologycompaniesbe preparedtoimplementitintotheirexisting systems.Mr.Robinsonwhatstepshaveyou seenthefederalgovernmentorandprivate sectortaketopreparethemselvesforthis transition [clickonthislinktohearhisanswer andmuchmore]”

SecuringtheFuture:Harnessingthe PotentialofEmergingTechnologieswhile MitigatingSecurityRisks(house.gov)

BeingtheOnlyOne

Mr.RobinsonisoftentheonlyAfrican Americanatthequantumtable.Hewilltellyou thatbeingtheonlyoneneverfeelsgood, especiallyknowingthattheU.S.desperately needsindustryrepresentativesreflectingthe nation’sdemographics.Heisworkingwith HBCUstoensurediversityinthequantum workforce.Mr.Robinsonremindsthestudents hementorstotakerisks.Quantumisstilla nascentareaandtherefore,fearistheenemyof yourprogresswithinit.

Education

AfewyearsbeforeattendingAbraham LincolnHighSchool,theBrownvs.Boardof Educationhadmandateddesegregationinthat Philadelphiadistrict.Mr.Robinsonwantedto playontheirwinningfootballteam,sohechose totakethehour-longtripeachmorningtobe ontimeforpractice.Hewasn’tsurehewould receiveafootballscholarship,sohedeveloped PlanB:jointheROTCathishighschoolfor3 years.Inthemeantime,hedeftlyjuggledsports andacademics,orsohethought.Hesucceeded enoughthatinthefinalquarter,the“HailMary passforanAorBgrade”allowedhimnotto havetorepeattheclass.Thisworkedreallywell untilhewas1pointfromapass/failgrade. Theteacherfailedhim,providingMr.Robinson withoneofthebestlessonsofhislife.The lessonwastodothebestyoucan,whichinhis

CharlesRobinsontestifiedbeforeHouseCybersecurity, CriticalInfrastructure,&InnovationsubcommitteeforIBM PhotoSource:LilyMilliner

CharlesRobinson, PublicSectorLeaderIBM QuantumTeam;IBM

caseresultedinan“A”thesecondtimearound. Buthehasalsolearnedthatalsoriskgetting a“C”gradeinsomethingmeaningfulisvery differentthangettingan“A’insomethingthat doesn'tmakeadifference.Taketherisk!

CreateACulture

Mr.Robinsonisliving“InTruthand Service”hisalmamater’smotto(Howard University).Acatalystforchange,evenasthe COVIDpandemiccontinued,Mr.Robinson maskedupandheadedtotheAnnualBEYA conferenceinWashington,DC,becausethe studentswhowereattendingneededhis inspiration.Hebelievesourwordshavethe powertoenergize,andhewantedtoplant seedsinthenextgenerationofSTEMworkers tohelpthemlearnthedifferencebetween artificialandrealconstraints.Remindingthe HBCUstudentsthatweareinthepost-civil rightsera,moreopportunitiesnowexist.Just staymotivatedanddon’tquit.Hesays, “I’mjust passingonwhatgrandpaCharlieand grandmaGladysgavetome,encouragement.”

Thistrailblazerispassionateaboutcreating acultureofscience,technology,engineering, andmathintheAfricanAmericancommunity. Hisdesireistomakethisareacool.Hehas joinednumerousgrassrootseffortssupporting programsalloverthenationtohelpteach youngpeopleCprogramming,artificial intelligence,gaming,networks,fuzzylogic, quantum,andalgorithmstoenforcethat culturethatSTEMcanbejustasmuchfunas basketball,football,ordance.Heaspiredto createthetechnologythatwouldtransformthe world.Whathehaslearnedalongthewayis thatyoumaynotbethepersonwhocreatesthe technologythatwillchangetheworld,but you caninspirethepersonwhowill.

TheChallenge

Mr.RobinsonappliedtoGraduateSchool atJohnsHopkinswitha2.9GPAand172 credits.HehadaninterviewwiththeDeanof theEngineeringProgram,Dr.DexterDaniels. Dr.Danielstoldhimhewouldhavetotake theGREbeforehewouldbeabletodetermine whetherornottoadmithim.Mr.Robinson wasinhisearly40sandhadanemployerwho waswillingtopayfortheeducation,but standardizedtestswerenothisstrength.At thatmoment,hissalesbackgroundkickedin andhesuggestedanalternative.Sohesaid,“if yougivemetheopportunitytotakeanytwo classesoverthesummerandyoucanpick whateverclassesyouwantandifIgettwo “As”willyouletmeintheprogram?”andDr. Danielsagreed.Mr.Robinsonendupgetting two“As”–oneinAdvancedMathematicsfor engineersandtheotherinDigitalSignal Processing.AfterhewasadmittedtoJohns Hopkins,theGRErequirementwaswaived forallstudents.Mr.Robinsonhadleveledthe playingfield.Withthatonesuccessfully deliveredsalespitch,hehadcreatedequityin theacceptancestructure.

HBCUledUniversity AffiliatedResearchCenter (UARC)

Forthelastsixyears,Mr.Robinsonhas beenworkingwithstakeholderstosocialize theideaoftheDefenseDepartmentcreatinga HBCUledUARC.HiscolleagueDr.Harris andseveralothershavebeenadvocatingfor thistypeofUARCforcloseto30years.This weektheAirForceandtheDefense Departmentannouncedaplantocreatea15th universityaffiliatedresearchcenter,orUARC. Thenewcenterwillbethefirsttobe associatedwithanhistoricallyBlackcollege oruniversityandwillalsobethefirstUARC associatedwiththeAirForce.

Thisisanexampleofahard-fought victory.Ifyougetrejected,pushthroughit. Mr.Robinsonhasbeenrejectedmorethan most,buthehassucceededmorethanmost. Whenyougetrejected,youbuildmore resiliencetotryagain.Mr.Robinsonreminds usall: “ifyouwanttodosomethingbadly enoughandfortherightreasons,don’tgive up;adoorwillopen,justlikeitdidwiththe HBCUledUARC.”

CharlesRobinsontestifiedbeforeHouseCybersecurity, CriticalInfrastructure,&Innovationsubcommitteefor

IBMPhotoSource:LilyMilliner

Dr.Schilbachspenthischildhoodinthe remoteareasofAlaskabeingraisedbyhis motherwhowasatravelingnurseprovidingthe onlyaccesstomedicalcareforseveralvillages acrosstheregion.Leftaloneforlongperiodsof time,thisprecociouschildquicklylearnedthat spendingtimewithbearsdidn’tmakefora goodpastime,butelectronicsandaviationdid. Histechnologyjourneybeganbynecessity, givenhowgeographicallyisolatedhewasfrom others,beingabletopressthelimitofhisham radiowasnotonly“fun”butarequirement,so hetooktheinitiativetolearneverythinghe couldtomasterit.Yousee,hamradioscanbe usedtocommunicateviaeverythingfrom Morsecodetovoice,butmoreimportantlyfor thiscuriousTrailblazertherealvaluewasits abilityfordigitaltransmission.

Justbeforehis16thbirthday,hefound variousradiofrequenciesandsignalsthat intriguedhim,leadingtoacomputer containingflightsimulation"games”.Excited byhisotherpassionasayoungpilot,hedug furtheronlylaterrealizinghehadcomeupona previouslyunknownbackdoortoanearbyUS militaryinstallation’sserver.Militaryofficials wastednotimeinfindingthesourceofthis intrusion.Whentheydiscoveredthattheyhad beenhackedbythisyouthfuloffender,they offeredhimtwooptions.Gotoprisonorjoin themilitarywherehecouldputthoseskillsto gooduse.

Attheageof17,whenotherkidswere planningtheirtransportationtoprom,Dr. Schilbachwaspreparingtogetonabustoan Armybootcamp.Thiseventisachilling remindertotheworldthatanepicfailurecan leadtofuturesuccess.Dr.Schilbachhasbeen drivenbythiseventtohelpothers,particularly thedisenfranchised,tolivetheirbestlives. WhenPenacity,hisServiceDisabledVeteranOwnedSmallBusinessacquiredAboutWeb (HUBZone)asawhollyownedsubsidiary,one ofthemajorattractionswasAboutWeb’s communityandworkforceaccolades.Inthelast fewyears,theyhavewontheCybersecurity DiversityTrailblazerAward(Cybersecurity AssociationofMaryland)alongwithCorporate CitizenoftheYearAward(NationalHUBZone Council).

Dr.TimothySchilbach, CEO,Penacity,LLC,& AboutWeb,LLC

PhotoSource:Dr.Schilbach

WorkforceDevelopment

Dr.Schilbach’scompanyhasprovidedfree ITtrainingforcloseto100HUBZone individuals.Penacity’sgoalhasbeentoofferIT trainingtoinnercityandminoritypeoplewho wouldnotnormallyhaveaccesstothis typeoftraining.Formany,thistraining haspiquedtheirinterestenoughto pursuewhite-orblue-collarSTEM careers.Dr.Schilbachadvocatesforthe StateofMarylandnationallyand internationally,encouragingprograms andlegislationtosupportITworkforce development.Hementionedthatthere islegislationcurrentlyintheMDState Legislaturethatcouldpotentiallyunlock abilliondollarstosupportMaryland’s efforts.Itwouldgiveorganizations, includingHUBZonecompanies,the resourcestoprocuretrainingfortheir in-houseworkforce.

ThisCEOiscommittedtohavinganeliteIT workforceandspendscloseto500Kayearto keepthemupskilled,fromcontinuing educationtointernationalcertifications.This Trailblazerjokesthathiscompanyisprobably 1%frombeinga.org.Dr.Schilbachspends mostofhisprofitsonworkforcedevelopment. Thecompanyhirespeoplewhoaredrivenby thework–individualswhoareinterestedin reallyhelpingpeople;theonesthatsharehis ethos.DrSchilbachsaid, “Ithinkwecaremoreandmoreaboutthe workandgettingawholebunchoflikemindedpeopletosolvecoolproblems together.That'sjustmyopinion.”

Hebelievesinthecollectivewisdomofhis staff.Tothatend,thecompanyhasvirtual happyhoursandaSlacksystem(open& privatechannels)tofacilitateopen communicationsbetweentheentireworkforce despitetheircontractsorlocations.

ITWorkforceCrisis

Dr.SchilbachmentionedthatU.S.Cyber Commandplansondoublingitscyber workforcebeforetheendofthedecade.Heis puzzledonhowthiswillbeaccomplished withoutsomemajorchangesintheworkforce traininganddevelopment.Rightnow, Bloombergisreportingthatmorethan600K

unfilledcybersecuritypositionsexist.Dr. SchilbachcurrentlyworkswithboththeState ofMarylandandDoDtotrytoleverageseveral existingprograms.Hebelievesprogramslike thefollowingneedtobescaledupimmediately tomeetthecurrentITandCyberworkforce crisis.

•CertifiedApprenticeshipProgram(MD): extensiveprogramthatprovidesfunding fortraining,coaching,andplacementof internswithintheindustry

•SkillBridgeProgram(DoD):Forservice membersabouttotransitionoutofthe military,DoDwillpaytheirsalaryand benefitswhiletheyparticipatein SkillBridge.Thisopportunitymaylastupto thefinal180daysofservicewhiletheywork foroneofDoD’sindustrypartnersatno cost.

Whileservingontheboardofdirectors,Dr. SchilbachisworkingwiththeCyber AssociationofMaryland(CAMI)tocreatea centralSkillBridgeclearinghousesothatall businessesmaygainaccesstothese tremendousresourcesinsteadofcompeting withoneanother.Thisgivesallbusinessesof allsizesaccesswheretheywouldnotnormally havebeenaffordedtheopportunityinthepast duetosizeoreconomicdisadvantages.

JudgingaBookbyitsCover

ThisTrailblazerbelievesthereisahidden, untappedITworkforce.Thechallengeisthat historically,theindustryhasjudgedthebook byitscover.Decisionmakersarespending timeonthewrongindicators,likethe education,economic,racial,culture,social,or geographicstatusofthepotentialresource.To

PhotoSource:Dr.Schilbach

beclear,Dr.Schilbachisconvincedthatmany oftheblue-andwhite-collarSTEMpositions donotneeddegreesortheotherhistoric indicators.Whattheyneedistenacious individualswhoarewillingtodothehardwork ofapplyingthemselves.Hehasseenpeople witheconomicandeducationaldisadvantages excelmoreinthesefieldsthanpeoplewhoare extremelyprivileged.HUBZonebusinesses, morethananygroup,realizethatyoucan't measureproductivityandintelligenceby historicalindicators.Yourhighestproducerin yourorganizationmaycomefromtheworstzip code.Theyjustneedustoproactivelylevelthe playingfieldforthem.

CybersecurityMaturity ModelCertification (CMMC)Burden

AsamemberoftheNationalGuardandthe CISOforvariousfederalandprivatecontracts, Dr.Schilbachisoneofthestrongestnational advocatesforprotectingournationfrom domesticandinternationalcybersecurity threats.ThisiswhyPenacitybegantheCMMC processsoearly,becomingthe18thcompany toreceiveitsCMMCL2certificationfrom DIBCACand3PAOfromtheCMMC AccreditationBoard.Thefinalcostforthis endeavorwasover200Kandincludedoutside auditorsandinfrastructure.Thisinvestment wasbelowaveragesincePenacity’scoreservice alreadyincludedmostoftheinfrastructure indicatedunderCMMC.Dr.Schilbachpredicts thatthefinancialburdenforCMMCandthe

flow-down requirementswill dramaticallyshrink theHUBZoneDoD industrialbase.Heis workingwith advocacygroupsto identifywaysto mitigatethislossbut cautionsany companyplanning ondoingbusiness withDoDto understandallthe ramificationsplus theflow-downsto yoursubcontractors andvendors(anyone inthedirect businesssupplychain.i.e.,accounting, logistics,andevenyourrecruiters).

PhotoSource:Dr.Schilbach

PhotoSource:Dr.Schilbach

TrailblazinghastakenMr.Koopalethes fromAntarcticatotheKwajaleinAtollinthe SouthPacific,inventingseveralcriticalpatents alongtheway.Since1998,hiscompanyhas beenprovidingexpertisetothefederal governmentforthedevelopment,installation, maintenance,andadministrationofundersea cablesystems.99%ofallinternettrafficis carriedbysubmarinefiberopticcablesystems onthebottomoftheoceanandareresponsible formostoftherapidcommunicationsforthe Internet,banking,cellphones,andresearch.

Heexplainedthatsatellitestransportavery smallpercentageofourtelecommunication trafficbecauseofthetimerequiredforthe informationtotravelfromearthtothesatellite andback-72,000kmroundtrip.Evenmoving atthespeedoflight,satellitecommunication takesmuchlongerthantransportingthatsame informationoversubmarinecableswhichare muchshorter.Fiberopticcableshave revolutionizedtelecommunicationsby deliveringvastamountsofinformationatnear real-timespeed.

Morethan450cablesystemsexistunder ouroceansconnectingmorethan1.3million kilometersofcablesinserviceglobally.Many havebeendesigned,constructed,protected, andmaintainedbycompanieslikeGBS.These systemscomprisecriticalinfrastructureforthe communitiesandnationstheyserve.

TheNationalScienceFoundationengaged GBSthroughaHUBZonecontractto accomplishtrailblazingworkdesigningacable systemconnectingUSresearchstationsin AntarcticatoNewZealandandAustralia.This “SMART”(ScienceMonitoringAndReliable Telecommunications)cablesystemwillhave embeddedsensorstotransmitinformation abouttheunderseaenvironment,including temperature,pressure,andseismicmovement. Thisprojectwillprovidescientistswithenough bandwidthtouploadTerabytesofdataalmost instantaneouslyandhaveserviceslikevideo conferencingallowingthemtoengageand collaboratewithothersaroundtheworld.

MiningDiamonds

GBSisusedtogoingdeep-seadiving,so diggingonlandhasnotbeenachallenge.They areproudoftheworktheyhavedoneonbehalf oftheHUBZoneProgram.Mr.Koopalethesis excitedabouttheopportunitytominefor diamondseachandeveryday.Theterrainmay lookroughtotheoutsider,butunderneath thosecommunities,therearevaluablegemsif companieskeepdigging.Justlikeanygreat gemologist,theGBSteamkeepsmining-uncoveringthetalentwithintheircommunity. Theyseediamondsthatmightbeoverlooked; theyareonamissiontohelpdiverse communitiessparkle.

FamilyFirst

Thistrailblazerconsidershimselfhonored tobepartofagroupthatputsfamilyfirst.Ashe reflectedonthepreviousTrailblazerissues,Mr. Koopalethessaidhesawacommontheme: “FamilyFirst.”Hedefinedthefamilyecosystem ascomprisingboththebiologicalandbusiness families.Thatthisfamilyecosystemhas

NicholasKoopalethes, CEO,GlobalBroadband Solutions(GBS)

allowedhisbusinesstothriveduringtough times.Hetoldcountlessstoriesofhis employeestakingtheleadwhenhehadtodo somethingliketakehisdaughtertoaplay,oras heart-wrenchingascaringforhiswifewhowas terminallyill.AllofMr.Koopalethes’family wastheretosupporthim,withlineslike,“What wouldNickdo?”

AshetalkedfurtherabouthisHUBZone family,heexplained,“Iamyourbrother,and youaremysister.”Mr.Koopalethessayshe wascreatedtomakeadifferenceinthe community.HisfaithinJesusChristashis LordandSaviorhasallowedhimtobuilda businesswiththatethosfirmlyatthecenter. Hedoesn’tdoitperfectly,buthekeepstrying; that’swhyheconsidersallemployeesheroes. TheysupportGBSinboththegoodandhard times.

WhenGBShasaclientkick-offmeeting,it invariablystartswitheveryoneintroducing themselves.Thistrailblazerwaitsuntilallhis staffhasbeenintroduced,thenhesays “Iwant youtoknow,asaCEO,Iworkforthese people,becauseifthey’resuccessfulyouwillbe successful.Myjobistohelpthemtobe successful.”

BestCharacter

YourBestCharacterisnotexhibitedwhen thingsaregreat;itcomesoutduringadversity. Thistrailblazer’scharacterhasbeentestedas anindividualandasacompany.Helooksback atsomeoftheeasiertests-like,forexample, whenanemployeemadeamistakethatcostthe companythousandsofdollars.Thesetests requiredcounselingandarecalibrationtonot stifletheemployeebuttoensurethatitdidn’t happenagain.Thelossofrevenuestung,but paledincomparisontothetimethecompany wasowedalmostahalf-milliondollars.

TheGovernmentdelayedpaymentfor almost2yearsbecauseitwascompletingan internalauditofitscontractingpractices. Duringthistime,Mr.Koopalethesandhis partner’scharacterweretrulytestedonhowto meetpayrollandpaysuppliers.Theycould havedecreasedsalaries,ornotpaidvendorsin atimelyfashion.Butinstead,theypaid everyone.Theywentintotheirpersonalsavings –notbecausetheyhadto,butbecausethe companywouldfacesignificantcashflow challenges.Theydiditbecausetheyunderstood thatthebestcharacterisgreaterthangood character(legalthing).

AttendeesattheBradYowell,SeniorVicePresidentand ChiefTechnologyOfficer,Co-OwnerNickKoopathales, CEO,BruceMorris,VicePresidentandCo-Owner

Itwasahardship,butMr.Koopalethesand hispartnerbothagreedthatbestcharacterwas farmoreimportantthangoodcharacter.They trustedGBSwouldbegivenwhatwasdue,and eventuallythatoccurred.HebelievesGBScame outasabettercompany.Theiremployeesand suppliersnowhadproof,thatwhattheowners hadbeenpreaching,theywerewillingtoput intoaction.Asatrailblazer,Mr.Koopalethes tooktheroadlesstraveled,andthathasmade allthedifferenceintheirbrand.

TideRises

Mr.Koopaletheswantedtoremindthe federalgovernmentthattheHUBZone acronymmeanshistoricallyunderutilized businesszones.Thesearebusinessesthatraise thetidefornotonlytheircommunitybutthe entirenation.Yourdecisionhelpsnotonlythe companieswhoareintheHUBZone,butthe peoplewholiveintheHUBZone.Thataction willimpacttheserviceindustrythatsupports theHUBZone.Thenationwillbeabletodip intotheresourcepoolofverycreativeminds andhelptoimprovetheeconomy,innovation, andhealth.Therefore,thistrailblazerhasthree finalwordsofwisdomforourreaders:Council, Create,andCollaborate!

• Council: JointheHUBZoneCouncilby givingyourtimeandresourcestoadvocate formoreHUBZonecontractstolevelthe playingfield.Ourvoicesarestronger together.

• Create: Createwell-payingjobsin historicallyunderutilizedneighborhoods. Findwaystoidentify,train,build,and sustaintheHUBZoneworkforce.

• Collaborate: WorkwithotherHUBZone Businessesthathaveyoursameethos. Freelysharebestpractices.Whenother HUBZonesexcel,thedooropenswidefor moreHUBZonecompanies.

GlenAdams, CEO,CogentSolutions

Thistrailblazerisconstantlyonthemove “drivingtechnologyintothefuture.”Whenwe caughtupwithMr.Adams,hewantedustotell hisfellowHUBZoneBusinessownersthatthere willbevalleysbutpushthroughthemtothe mountaintops.Findyourowntrailand persevere.So,itwasnotsurprisingthatjust beforeCOVIDhit,CogentSolutionsreceived theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency HUBZoneBusinessoftheYearAwardfor outstandingaccomplishmentsbyacontractor, calledthe“AdministratorsAward.”

Anearlyadopter,Mr.Adamsquicklysaw themeritsoftheHUBZoneprogramand

became certifiedin 2003.This CEOhas leveragedhis degreesin Management

InformationSystemsandDivinitytopromote socialandtechnologyjustice.Additionally,asa retiredmilitaryWarrantOfficerandSDVOSB, hehashosteddozensofadvocacyeventsto assistlocalunderservedveteransintheirquest toreceivetheveteranbenefitstheyareentitled to.

WhenitcomestoincreasingtheHUBZone technologyworkforcewithintheCogentranks, Mr.Adamswilltellyou,“Failureisnotan Option.”Whetheritisacollegestudentwho needsfinancialsupportwhileworkingtheir waythroughcollegeoramiddle-agedsingleparentwiththreejobs,Cogenthassteppedin, providingthetraining,employment,and mentoringneededforthemtosoar.Cogentwas indeedananswertotheirprayers.

Mr.Adamsbelievesthatbeingatrailblazer ismakingsurethatthepathbehindhimisnot scorchingtheearthbutinsteadfertilizingthe groundfornewHUBzonebusinessesthat followbehindhim.Hepickedupthetorchfrom JohnJ.Wright,thesonofslaves.Anearly socialjusticeadvocate“resolvingthathemust firstpreparetohelpfosterthismovement”; startingthefirsthighschoolforblackstudents inSpotsylvaniaCounty,Virginiain1913.Today Cogentiskeepingthemovementalivefostering technologyinthiscommunity.

Thistrailblazerisallaboutprotectingour warfightersontheground.Shelovesknowing thattheworkhercompanydoesmakesa differenceeachandeverydaybyprotectingthe datathatgoesoverthenetworks.Furthermore, theicingonthecakeistheamazinggratitude shereceivesfromherHUBZoneemployees whensheshowsupinplaceslikeFortRucker, Alabama.Ms.Morrisconsidersitaspecial privilegetomakesuchadifferenceinandout ofthemilitary.Sheisalsogratefulforthe supportMSMhasreceivedfromfolkslikeMs. DianeDempsey(Director,SmallBusiness Programs,Intelligence&Security,BAE Systems,Inc.)andMs.MichelleBurnett (ExecutiveDirector,HUBZoneCouncil).

Lessons-LearnedAlongthe Way

•Besatisfiedwithslow,consistentgrowth, knowingthatyourintegrityandethicshave notbeencompromised–makepeacewith it.

•Takethetimetosetupyourinfrastructure; getthetoolsyouneednow.Lookfortools thatofferscalability,thatareeasytouse,

andthattrulysavetime.Don’twastemoney onsubpartools.

•Ifyouhavetheopportunitytotakepartin GoldmanSachs10,000SmallBusinesses program,sayYES!Thencreatetimeinyour scheduletobecompletelyengagedinallthe knowledgetheywillshare.

•Beslowtohireandfasttofireifthe employeeisnotaddingtherightvalueto yourcompany.

•ItisokaytolivebyUSPresidentTheodore Roosevelt’squote,“towalksoftlyandcarry abigstick,”especiallyifyouareawoman. Remember,theformerPresidentofthe UnitedStatesdidit,soyou’reingreat company.

•Findyourtribe.Beinganentrepreneurdoes notneedtobeasolojourney.Keep searchinguntilyoufindtheassociationor groupthatappreciatesyourquirkinessand watchhowyouwillsoar.

•Getadebriefingforeverything,whetheryou winorlose.Findoutwhereyoumissedthe mark.Ifsomeonehadabettersolution, don’twasteanytimegettingmad–justget better.Sometimesourmostvaluable lessonscomewithaloss.

•Findingbalancekeepsyouenergized.Take thetimetoenjoytheotheraspectsoflife. Addsomethingdifferent–whatelseareyou passionateabout?Thistrailblazerhasadded animalrescuetoherjoylist,fromsaving dogstorescuingwildmustangs.

ManishaMorris, President,MSMTechnology,LLC

HUBZoneAuthenticity

Ms.Morrislikestoremindhercolleagues thatthisprogramisforcompaniesthat genuinelywanttohelphistorically underrepresentedcommunities.Itisnota programtotakeadvantageofthe disadvantaged,butonecommittedto providingmeaningfulopportunitiestotheir communities.HUBZonecompaniesareona missiontomakethisnationabetterplaceby

buildingaworkforcethatleavesnoonebehind.

Thistrailblazerfeelsthatifacompanygets certifiedasaHUBZoneitsleadershiphasa responsibilitytoassistthesepeople.Doingthe rightthingmeansthatleadersmustdesignand implementaninfrastructurethatsupportsthe hiring,retaining,andpromotionofaHUBZone workforcebybuildingin-houseskillsets.Ms. Morrisbelievestherearesomanysmartpeople intheseHUBZonecommunitiesandmanyof themwanttobecometerrificfederal governmentcontractorsifgiventhe opportunity.

Ms.Moon’strailbeganinanorphanagein ElSalvadorandmovedquicklytoaloving homeintheUnitedStates.Shewasadoptedby anactivistfamily–twoWashington,DC attorneyswhowerelobbyistsontheHill.Ms. Moon’sadoptedmotherwasalsoatrailblazer: shewasfluentinfivelanguages,andshetoo hadbeenadoptedfromaforeigncountry, Greece.Herfamilyencouragedacademic excellencewhichledtothistrailblazeroften beingtheonlyLatinaSeniorITSubjectMatter Expertinintheroom.InJuneof2015,Ms. MoontooktheplungeinformingEIDOS Technologies.Overthecompany’sexistence, EIDOSTechnologieshasprovidedDatabase andCyberSecuritysupportservicesforvarious federalagenciessuchastheIRS,Departmentof Navy,HUD,andtheArmytonameafew.

PacingYourself

OneofthemostvaluablelessonsMs.Moon haslearnedinbuildingherDatabase Managementbusinessistopaceherself. Gettingthe8(a)certificationissomethingthat alotofsmallbusinessespushtodo.The9years inthelifeofan8(a)seemslikealotoftime,but itcangoveryquickly.Sheurgescompaniesto spendthetimebeforebecomingcertifiedto targetspecificcustomers.Itiscriticaltobuild therightfederalclientbase.Thiswillrequire youtodoextensiveresearchtounderstand yourtarget’sentireecosystem–from stakeholderstoacquisitionplanningand budgets,andeverythingelseinbetween.

ChallengesofAssimilation

Ms.Moon’smotherandfathernavigatedas besttheycouldinacommunitythatwasnot particularlyknownforbeinginclusive.Ms. Moon’sparentshadseenhowminoritieswere treatedintheirneighborhoodandvowedtonot lettheirdaughterexperiencethattrauma.They bothdideverythingtheycouldtoraiseastrong andpowerfuldaughter.Earlyon,Ms.Moon’s parentsenrolledherinrigorousEnglish classes.Theyweredeterminedtoeliminateany Spanishinfluenceinherspeechthatwould hinderherfromthrivinginhernew community.Ms.Moon’sparentssoughtto protecthertheonlywaytheyknewhow,which wastoallowtheworldtoassumeshewas Greek.

AsaLatinaTrailblazerraisedbyAnglo parents,Ms.Moon’sstoryisfulloflove, markedwiththechallengesthatyouencounter whenyouleaveyourheritagebehind.Asa child,shehadafront-rowseattowhatsome callassimilation,beginningwithhermother discouragingherfromspeakinginhernative tongue(Spanish).Asafair-skinnedHispanic herneighborsassumedheradoptiveparents wereherbiologicalones.However,otherEl Salvadoriansrecognizedherheritageand wouldimmediatelystartspeakingwithherin Spanish.

Shelearned,asachild,thatbeingbilingual carriedacertainstigma.Whenshecameto America,herparentshiredthebestEnglish tutors.Within6monthsofherarrival,shewas fluentinEnglishandhadlostmostofher Spanishaccent.Throughoutherchildhood,her motherwouldalwayscorrecther pronunciationsofwords,herparentswouldsay “Don'tyouknow;don'tsaythat;dressthis wayorthatcoloristoomuch.”Tothisday,Ms. Moonstruggleswithtryingtogetbacktoher rootsandlearnSpanish.Sheunderstandsher parents’choices:itwasadifferenttimeinour nation,andshehopesthosetimeshave changed.Shehopesthattoday,ournationis oneofinclusionratherthanassimilation.

HelleniMoon, CEO,EIDOSTechnologies

Herfamilyprovidedsomevaluablelessons regardingdiversity,equity,andinclusion.Ms. Moonhasfacedthetruththatyoucanhavea lovingfamilythatstruggleswithinclusion.In herparents’case,theychosetoadvocate conformityandassimilationratherthan individualauthenticityanddiversityasit relatedtoherElSalvadorianancestry.Thatall changedwhenMs.Moonwasinhorrificcar accidentinhighschool,whichledtoalossof herleftleg.

“Asateenager, Ithoughtmylifewas completelyoveraftertheaccident.I overheardmydadcryinginthenextroom.He said,noboysaregoingtowanttomarryher, atthatmoment,Iwasnotgoingtoletthis defineme.Iwasgoingtobecourageous.”

Whenthedoctorssuggestedtraditional prosthetics,whichwereclunkyandunwieldy, Ms.Moonsparentssparednoexpensescouring thenationtofindaprostheticlimbthatwould betheperfectfitfortheirdaughter.Without fail,herparentswereabletolocateastate-ofthe-artprostheticlegandwithintwomonthsof heraccidentMs.Moonwastryingoutforthe tennisteam.Thesedays,Ms.Moondoesn't carewhoseesherlegs.Justtheotherday,she wasatanUrgentCareclinic,wearingacute pairofshortsandshowedoffherbionicleg. Despitetheirstrugglestoembracecertain aspectsofMs.Moonslifeherparents,inthe endherparentsbecameherbiggestadvocate.

WhatCanYouDo

Ms.Moonthinkspeoplesometimesgetso consumedineverydaylifethattheydon'treally understandthattherearealotofpeopleout therewhoarestruggling.Nomatterwhich stationyouareatinlife,thereisalways somethingyoucandotoimproveyour situationorsomeoneelse’s.Herjourneyhas includedracial,gender,physical,andmental healthchallengesalongtheway.Whenshefirst startedintheITindustry,therewereveryfew women,shehadtogetcomfortablewithbeing theonlyoneintheroomandmakingsureher voicewasheard.

Hermentorshipapproachreflectsthose experiencesofbeingsimultaneouslyvulnerable andcourageous.Itincludesboththe mountainsandthevalleys,andthenegative weightsshehasleftalongtheway.Howshe wasabletoturnnegativesintopositives.She toldme,

“Ihateitwhenpeoplearesonegative. Whentheysay,‘Ican'tdothis.’Myresponse is,“sowhatcanyoudo?”Thatisthemoment theystartthinkingdifferently.Thatthe momenttheyrealizehowpowerfultheycan be.Theycandoit;theyjustneedtobegin.”

ItisOkaytoAskforHelp

ThisTrailblazerhasmadeahabitof connectingwithpeopleandprogramsthatwill supportherpersonalandprofessionalgrowth. OnesuchprogramwasScaling4Growth, providedbytheVirginiaDepartmentofSmall BusinessandSupplierDiversity.Ms.Moon wasabletoforgelastingrelationshipswith individualswhohavesincebecomehertrusted advisorsandadvocates.Theydiscuss strategies,services,products,andoften,the highsandlowsofbeinganentrepreneur.

Ms.Moonsharedoneofthoselow momentsintheScaling4Growthprogram:it waswhenoneoftheparticipantscommitted suicide.Thesuicideofacolleaguespurredher tostop,think,andrealizehowcriticalitisfor ustotakecareofourmentalhealth.Thisis whenshemadethedecisiontoreengageher mentalhealthteam.Shesaid, “Ireachedoutto mydoctor,andIgotonmymeds.NowIknow I'mthebestIcanbe.Youcan'ttakeeverything on,asIhavegottenolderandwiser,Irealize it'sokaytoaskforhelp.”

FinalWords

ThisTrailblazerwilltellanybodywhowill listenthatshehasbeenveryfortunate.Shewas adoptedintoagoodfamily.Hermothersaid earlyonthatitwasokaytobestrong,believein yourself,andmarketyourselfwithphraseslike, “youcandowhateveryouwant.Itmaybe hard,butyouknownothingcomeseasyinlife. Aslongasyoubelieveinyourselfyoucando greatthings.”

AfterdecadesoflivingwithMultiple Sclerosis(MS),Ms.Moon’smotherpassed away.ThatwasbeforeMs.Moonhadlaunched EIDOS.Ms.Moon’smother’sstrugglehasled hertobelievethatpeoplearealotstronger thantheythink.Theyarealotmorecapable thantheygivethemselvescredit.Thentheycan evenimagine!HermotherneverletMSstop herfrombeingherbestandleftagreatlegacy forherfamily,andmostofall,EIDOS Technologies.

AndyJabbour, Co-Founder,Gate15

IfScottPeckwaswriting“TheRoadLess Travelled”today,hewouldbeblownawaywith whatMr.Jabbourhasaccomplishedthusfar. ScottPeckwouldhavehadtowritean additionalchapterdevotedtothistrailblazer, whoisnavigatingthreefrontiers simultaneously.ThisLebanese-PalestinianAmericanbecameatriplethreatwhenhe decidedtostartseparatebusinessesfocusing onHomelandSecurityRiskManagement, Faith-BasedProtection,andCannabisSecurity.

Faith-Based

Mr.Jabbour’sstintintheUnitedStates Armyfueledhispassionformakingadifference onaglobalscale.AsanArmyofficerwith deploymentstoKosovo,Iraq,andAfghanistan underhisbelt,hetransitionedintotheprivate sector,initiallysupportingtheDepartmentof HomelandSecurity.Fromthere,helaunched theGate15Company,Faith-BasedInformation Sharing&AnalysisOrganization(FB-ISAO), andCannabisISAO.

“ForIWashungryandyougaveme somethingtoeat,Iwasthirstyandyougave mesomethingtodrink,Iwasastrangerand youinvitedmein,Ineededclothesandyou clothedme,Iwassickandyoulookedafter me,Iwasinprisonandyoucametovisit me...TrulyItellyou,whateveryoudidforone oftheleastofthesebrothersandsistersof mine,youdidforme.”

AtrailblazerwhoputsGOD,family,and countryfirst,Mr.Jabbourismostproudofthe workheisdoingwithhisnon profit organization.FB-ISAOisanationalnetworkof faith basedorganizationsandassociationsthat havebeeninformedandequippedtoprevent, protectagainst,mitigate,respondto,and recoverfromincidentsarisingfromallhazards. Theorganizationseekstoensuretheresilience andcontinuityofimportantcommunityassets. Giventhattherearemorethan400,000houses ofworshipintheUnitedStates,Mr.Jabbouris determinedtocreateaspacewhereleaders sharethreatinformationinasecure, collaborativeenvironment.Tothisend,his teamhasactuallycold calledhundredsof faith-basedorganizationstoengagethemin thismissionofsafetyandsecurity.

Withtherecentbombthreatsdirectedat morethanadozenHistoricallyBlackColleges &Universities(HBCUs),Mr.Jabbour’steamis workingonroadshowstargetingfaith based organizationsinthehistorically underrepresentedcommunitiesandHBCUs. Mr.Jabbourwillbeprovidinginformational sessionscoveringthreatlevelsandbest practicesformitigatinghostileevents.

Atruebelieverinstakeholderparticipation, theFB-ISAOhelditsfirstcommunitymeeting inFebruary2022.Atthatmeeting,members heardabouttheTopFiveThreatsfor2022 whileparticipatinginanimmersivesessionon theuseofcollaborativeworkspace.

ItTakesaVillage

Mr.Jabbourisallaboutexpandingthe villagewithmoreorganizationswillingtoshare informationandresourcestomakeournation’s worshipcenterssafe.Hebelievesthatno matterwhatyourfaithis,youshouldbeableto worshipwithoutthreats,intimidation,or abuse.Histeamisbuildinganetworkwhere informationissharedseamlesslyacrossthe nation,alertingourleadersaboutpotentialbad actors.Itiscriticalthatthisintelligencebe gatheredanddispersedinreal-timetoanalyze andmitigatepotentialthreats.Thepandemic hasacceleratedthenumberofthreatsand violencenationwide.Housesofworshipare beingdefacedandvandalized,“fromCalifornia totheNewYorkIsland.”Staffandmembersare beingharassed,abused,assaulted,andeven killed.FB-ISAOisaboutcreatingreal time faith-baseddigitalneighborhoodwatchesto stoptheviolence.

Dr.CeliaMerzbacher, ExecutiveDirector, QuantumEconomicDevelopmentConsortium (QED-C)

Thequantumjourneyforhumankindbegan morethan100yearsagoandour understandingisconstantlyevolvingtokeep pacewiththeglobaldemand.Thistrailblazer’s careerstartedinmaterialscienceresearchfor theDepartmentoftheNavy.There,Dr. Merzbacherresearchednanoscienceandthe abilitytocontrolmaterialsatthescaleof atoms.Herresearchwaspartoftheevolution ofleading-edgeresearchfromnanotechnology totheemergingareaofquantumtechnology. Asthesciencematured,sodidtheapplications –fromlaserstonetworksforsecurely transmittingquantuminformation.Today,the possibilitiesseemendless.

Toharnesscommercialpossibilities,the QED-C,managedbySRIInternational,was establishedwithsupportfromtheNational InstituteofStandardsandTechnology(NIST) aspartoftheFederalstrategyforadvancing quantuminformationscienceandascalledfor bytheNationalQuantumInitiativeActenacted in2018.Dr.Merzbacherhasspentthelast3 yearsworkingwithU.S.stakeholdersto advancethepracticaluseofquantum discoveries.AsQED-C’sleader,shesupports themissiontoenableandgrowarobust commercialquantum-basedindustryand associatedsupplychainintheUnitedStates. Theconsortiumcomprisesstakeholdersfrom government,industry,andacademiawhowork togethertoidentifygapsintechnology, standards,andworkforcewhileaddressing thosedifferencesthroughcollaboration.

Quantum&Technology

Heroes

WhenweaskedDr.Merzbacher,“whowere yourheroes?”herlistbeganwithherfather. Hewasaquantumphysicist.Hetaughther howtoappreciatethescience.Thentherewas thephysicistRobertNortonNoyce,“theMayor ofSiliconValley”andco-founderofIntel Corporation.Shewasinspiredbyhispassion foreducationandcollaborationamong competitorstoacceleratetechnologyprogress. Finally,shehasadmirationforHUBZone entrepreneurs:therisk-takers,thepeopleout theretakingthisquantumfieldforward, removingbarrierstogrowthequantum economyandensurearobusttalentpoolwhile buildingtheircommunities.

TypicalQuantum Employee:DoesNotExist

Nowthatquantumisbecomingmore practical,theU.S.needstobebuildinga workforcethatcansupportthevarious innovations,includingforartificialintelligence, drugdevelopment,cybersecurity,financial modeling,trafficoptimization,weather forecasting,andothers.Dr.Merzbacherhas bothgoodandbadnewsasitrelatestotheU.S. workforcestatus.Thegoodnewsfirst!

•GoodNews:Thereisnotatypicalquantum employee.Quantumcanandwillappearin almosteveryindustry,fromjobsthatwill requireahighschooldiplomawith supplementalquantumtrainingtopositions thatwillneedindividualswithscienceor technologypostgraduatedegrees.

•BadNews:TheUnitedStatesdoesnot currentlyhaveinitspipelineenough

PhotoSource:Dr.CeliaMerzbacher

quantumworkersto meetdemands.The U.S.willneedfolks whocoverthefull spectrumofthe workforce.Diversity willbeaplus–withinthevarioussocial, ethnic,gender,andsexualorientationareas andintermsofskills.Whoisneeded? Individualswhoembracetheopportunities andchallengesthatquantumwillbringto theirindustry.

In2020,QED-Cconductedanindustry surveyonwhatcompaniesthoughttheir workforcewouldlooklikeinthenextfewyears. Theiranswersshowedthattheywouldbe lookingforpeopleinthebusiness,sales,and supportside,alongwiththelegal,R&D,andinhouseproductdevelopment.Thesecompanies feltthatavarietyofdisciplineswouldbe neededbecausequantumsystemsincludealot ofcomponents:lasertechnicians,quantum specialists,engineers,andsoftwaredevelopers, tonameafew.

Thistrailblazerisconfidentthatthe opportunitieswillbeendlessforindividuals whoarewillingtodotheworktobepartofthe quantumtrail.Dr.Merzbacherthinksitis reallyimportantforstudentsandthosewhoare thinkingaboutshiftingandpivotingintothis areatoappreciatethattheydonothavetogo backandstartalloverinthePhysics department.Theycanworkintheareatheyare specializinginnowandobtainalittlebitof quantumeducationontopofthat.Thisextra “push”willenablethemtobehighlyqualified forawholerangeofjobs.Shestressedthat whetherthey'reinthebusinessorthetechnical side,gettingalittlebitofquantumknowledge inadditiontoothertrainingisthewaytogo.It won’ttakeawholelotofextratrainingtobe well-positionedtogetajobwithanynumberor typeoffirms.

TheU.S.hasbiggapsbetweenthedemand andthesupply,soit'sreallyasellers’market. ThisisgreatnewsforHUBZonesandthe communitiestheyserve:thequantumfieldis opportunity-rich.Itisagreattimefor businessesandpeoplewhoperhapsdon’tfitthe nationalSTEMnorms;thatis,don’tlookor thinkthesameaseveryoneelseintheSTEM field.Itistimetothink—QUANTUM!

AttendeesattheQED-CWorkshoponCryogenic TechnologyforQIST Photocredit:MadisonCebuhar

MakingConnections: SustainableBridges

QED-Chasbeencreatingquantumbridges betweenthegovernment,business,and academiccommunities.Theyfacilitate discussionsandcollaborationthatwouldlead totheadvancementanddevelopmentof quantumproductsandservicesinmultipleU.S. industries.QED-Cimplementsprogramsto helptheirindustrymembers,especiallythe smallcompaniesandstartups,advance quantumdiscoveries.

Dr.Merzbachergetsparticularlyexcitedto bepartofcreatingtrustedpartnerships, resultingincommercialproductsandservices. Toignitemoreofthispartnering,QED-C launchedaprogramcalled “Quantum Marketplace.” Monthlywebinarshighlight QED-Cmembercompaniesthatofferarangeof quantumtechnologyandservices.Technology providersandusersgivepresentations;then engagetheaudienceinapaneldiscussionto shareexpertviewsonthestateoftheartand emergingapplicationsandmarketswithboth non-membersandmembers.Thesewebinars areagreattoolforHUBZonebusinesses lookingtolearnmoreaboutwherequantumis going QED-C|QuantumMarketplace-QED-C (quantumconsortium.org).

Mr.Yadavstartedhistrailblazingjourney almost25yearsagowithhislifepartner,his wife.Theyhavebeenmarriedcloseto40years andsavealotoftimebyknowingwhateach otherisgoingtosay.Amatchtrulymadein Heaven,bothhavingMBAs.Hiswifehasa financialbackgroundwithanaccounting degreeandLawSchool,whileMr.Yadav’s degreeisinmarketing.

Mr.Yadavalsohadthebestfather-in-law ever:Whenthistrailblazerstartedhisbusiness, hehadthefullsupportofhisspouseaswellas thatofherfather.Hehandedhimablankcheck becausehewantedtosupporttheirjourney. Mr.Yadavcommentedthathisfather-in-law’s heartwasbiggerthananycheckonecould write.Thoughherecentlypassedaway,his legacylivesoninthesupportQuesthasbeen abletogivetheHUBZonecommunities.

WorkersProtect Themselves

Mr.Yadav’scompany,QuestSafety Products(Quest),helpspeopleprotect themselvesandtheircustomers.This protectionhasbecomemuchmoreimportant intheageofCOVID-19,especiallyfor customerslikepharmaceuticalmanufacturers andutilities&environmentalremediation sites.

Byhelpingtheseworkers,Questisactually

eitherhelpingtoproducealifesavingdrugor contributingtothatprocess.Additionally, Questhelpsworkersprotectthemselveswhile they'reremovingcontaminationfromthese environmentalsites.

Somemightsaythatthistrailblazeris helpingtokeepthelightsonbecauseQuestis assistingthepeopleinthefieldtomakesure thatourutilitiesareworkingproperly.

DealingwiththeCOVID Demand

Therewassomuchdemandonthesupply chainthatitwasdifficulttogetproductsthat Questnormallyhasavailable.Fortunately, Questhadawonderfulrelationshipwithits manufacturers.Thistrailblazerbelongstoa buyinggroupcalledtheAffiliatedDistributors (AD),whichhelpsstrengthenthesupplychain forindependentdistributorcompanieslike Quest.Questwasabletosupplytheir pharmaceuticalcustomers,helpingthemmake surethattheycouldkeepproducingtheirlifesavingdrugs.

BuildingaMultiMillion DollarFacility

Thistrailblazerwasconvincedtojointhe HUBZoneprogrambyseveralofhiscustomers. TheysuggestedthatthemovefromanonHUBZoneareatoaHUBZonemightbeawinwinforthecommunityandQuest.AsMr. Yadavconsideredthe35%employee requirementandtheimpactoneconomic development,theprogrambecamemore attractive.

QUESTSalesTeam

Overthelast4years,Questhasdoubledin sizebecauseitscustomersappreciatedthefact thatQuestisgivingbacktotheHUBZone

PhotoSource:QUEST

SamYadav, CEO,QuestSafetyProducts,Inc (QUEST)

community.Whencustomerscometothe facility,theyseetheexcitementinthegroupof peopleQuesthasattracted.Thishasbecome morethansellingproducts;itisalmostlikea ministry.Bytakingcareoftheircustomers, Questisactuallybuildinglegacyandhelping thecommunityaroundthembycreating economicstabilityandjobopportunities.

Questgrewsomuchthattheyneededanew facility.Sixacresoflandlaterandan investmentof$5.5M,Mr.Yadavhadthe infrastructureneededtoexpandhisbusiness whileremainingintheHUBZoneProgram.

HelpingOthers–Helps Yourself

OneofthebestdecisionsMr.Yadavever madewasgivingaHUBZoneyoungstudent (KamUtter)asecondchance.DuringMr. Utter’sfirstinterview,hecompletelybombed. Mr.Utterwassonervoushecouldbarelyspeak. Onthesecondtry,Mr.Utterwasstillabit nervousbutheaskedsomereallygreat questions.Mr.YadavcouldtellMr.Utterhad potential;theinternlovedtolearn.Hekept meticulousnotesandwastenacious–he wouldn’tstopuntilhegotitright.

Afterafewyearswentby,andMr.Utter’s internshipwasover.Hewentofftogeta master’sdegreeinPsychology.Midwaythrough hisdegree,Mr.UttercalledMr.Yadavand askedifhecouldbuyhimadrinkandchat.Mr. Utterwantedtocomeback.Hewasnot enjoyingschoolandneededtimetofigureout whathedidlike.Mr.Utteraskedifhecould comebacktoQuestandbeMr.Yadav’sintern onceagain.Hesaidtherightthing:“I’llwork onanyprojectifyouletmecomeback.”

Mr.Yadavhadseveralprojectsthatwereon his“wishIhadtimetodolist.”Mr.Utterchose theitemthatwouldallowQuesttosellitsgoods andservicesonAmazon.Hespentthenext severalmonthsfiguringouthowtosellQuest productsonAmazon.Mr.Uttereventually increasedQuest’sonlinesalesto$700,000a month.Atthebeginningoftheyear,Amazon askedQuesttobepartofagroupmadeupof thetop250businessesonAmazon.Mr.Utter graduatedwithhisMBA2weeksago.-The "ForeverIntern"wholaunchedQueston severale commerceplatformsandisveryclose tohavinga$10,000,000divisionforQuestin lessthan40monthsisbecomingatrailblazer too!

Mr.Utter(left)andMr.Yadav(right). PhotoSource:SamYadav