Mastering the City: A Guide to Doing Business with Houston Government with Porscha Jackson

01/26/24 • 46 min

In this episode meet Dr. PJ – Porscha Jackson, PhD – a powerhouse in Houston’s small business ecosystem! As the Business Development Manager at the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO), she's not just managing programs; she's the secret sauce for small businesses hungry for success. Picture her as a go-to mentor, helping entrepreneurs navigate the business labyrinth and representing OBO with flair at community events. Beyond her city role, Dr. PJ is an author, penning "Pursuing Legacy" and contributing her brilliance to academic texts and anthologies. With a heart for the underdog, she's not just a professional rockstar but a community champion, fighting for inclusivity and brighter futures. Learn more about the City of Houston, TX, and the work they do: https://www.houstontx.gov/

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How does the City of Charlotte’s Business Inclusion Office Supports Small Businesses

Michele Torres is the Business Inclusion Manager for the Charlotte Business Inclusion Office, City of Charlotte. Michele provides operational leadership to the Office of CBI, inclusive of office management, budget operations, coordinating outreach events, and serving internal and external committees. In addition, Michele is tasked with planning and coordinating programs and activities overseeing development, compliance, and reporting. Before entering her current role, Michele was the Business Diversity Programs Manager, and later, Office of Civil Rights Manager at Charlotte Douglas International Airport for seven years. In her role at the Airport, Michele was responsible for administering the Charlotte Business Inclusion (CBI), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE), Limited English Proficiency, Davis Bacon Act, and the ADA Programs. In her role, she sat on various boards including the Airports Council International Business Diversity Steering Group, where she represented large hub airports in the United States and Canada in the area of business diversity, equity, and inclusion. Michele also currently serves as the chair of an Airport Cooperative Research Program panel dedicated to increasing minority and women-owned business participation at airports. Michele moved to the Charlotte area from New Jersey almost 9 years ago. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. Learn more about the City of Charlotte, NC, and the work they do: https://www.charlottenc.gov/Home

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Doing Business with the University of Florida

Dwan Courtney is the Director of UF Small Business & Supplier Diversity (SBSD), which promotes and facilitates the use of small and diverse businesses by UF departments and academic units. Through collaborative relationships with the campus, the local community, agencies, and business leaders, she develops programs and services aimed at encouraging and supporting small business participation in university procurement opportunities. Prior to returning to the institution, Dwan was the Small Business Program Coordinator at the City of Gainesville. Proceeding this position, Dwan was the Marketing and Communications Specialist in Small Business & Vendor Diversity Relations, in which she was instrumental in administering many of the department’s outreach events, including the UF Mentor Protégé Program, monthly business development workshops, and the annual vendor fair. Dwan loves what she does because she believes in the mission. https://www.ufl.edu/