HOTCHAT Minority Business Connections with CRMSDC

Robert L. Wallace is an internationally known entrepreneur, author, business consultant and keynote speaker. With more than 41 years of industry experience spanning engineering, energy, IT and executive coaching, Bob leverages his expertise to educate and inspire entrepreneurs, executives and audiences around the world.   In this episode we discuss: Bob’s rags-to-riches story growing up in Ba...

April is Financial Literacy Month and we’re celebrating by bringing you valuable information and insightful conversations with banking professionals, financial experts and minority-owned firms to help us better understand the topic of money and the importance of generational wealth. Jim Peterson is the V.P. and Small Business Ambassador, on the Minority and Women Owned Businesses team for M&T...

Tune in as Ann Ramakumaran of Ampcus shares #HERSTORY with President & CEO, Sharon R. Pinder. Ann Ramakumaran is the Founder & CEO of Ampcus Inc. Ann has more than 20 years of design, development and delivery of innovative and leading-edge Technology Solutions and Human Capital Management across the globe. Under her leadership, she has cultivated Ampcus and the Ampcus Group of companies in...

We’re having a deep conversation with Selena Cuffe , President of SodexoMagic and co-founder of Heritage Link Brands . Selena Cuffe is co-founder of M/WBE Heritage Link Brands. In this position, she is responsible for strategic, award-winning initiatives that have accelerated business outcomes and empowered diversity and equity within the global wine industry. Ms. Cuffe is also President of Sodexo...

Darla Harris is Vice President & Sr. Business Consultant for JPMorgan Chase Bank in Washington, DC and Northern VA. She has more than 40 years of experience in financial services and serves as a resource and advocate for Minority Entrepreneurs. Learn how she helps small business owners with education and advisory services through JP Morgan’s commitment to creating more access to capital for MB...

We’re having a candid conversation with Michelle Rice, President of TV One and its new sister network, CLEO TV. Learn how Rice has successfully leveraged relationships to expand distribution of CLEO TV and how she manages all business, operational and creative aspects for both networks. Under her leadership, TV One solidified its first vMVPD distribution deal with Philo TV and has continued to gro...

WHO SAID IT’S A MAN’S WORLD › WOMEN WHO WEAR HARD HATS Necole Parker | Principal/CEO, The ELOCEN Group Since forming ELOCEN, Necole Parker, Principal/CEO, has expertly managed/overseen project lifecycles from start to finish, comprised primarily of new construction and renovation projects. This has resulted in securing numerous notable clients, growing the company in both scale and capacity, and a...

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, meet Germaine Bolds-Leftridge, the woman behind today's multimillion-dollar black hair & beauty startups. We hope you enjoy HERStory on HotChat Minority Business Connections ---- Germaine Bolds-Leftridge | Founder, GBL Sales, IKNOW Skincare & The Ubiquitous Women’s Expo Germaine Bolds-Leftridge is the “Queen Midas” of multicultural beauty brands. What...

In this episode, Senator Cardin stops by to share with us the state of President Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislation and the importance of MBDA being codified as a permanent agency. You’ll also learn about his role in ensuring access to PPP & EIDL loans for non-profits and minority-owned businesses. As we celebrate Black History Month, he shares how the late Congressman Parren J. Mitchell...

Gain insights into how to grow sales from an executive who leads the US Field Sales organization of a $2.5B minority-owned business enterprise. Quentin Gayles, Vice President of National Solution Sales for Zones , shares how they help clients accomplish their IT objectives with a global network of experts and partners that provide strategic planning, integration and logistics, supply chain managem...

From the Peace Corp to Chief Procurement Officer, Arnold Sowa shares his career path and lessons learned while building teams, reengineering procurement and demanding accountability to supplier diversity. Plus, tips on how to navigate larger organizations. ---- Arnold Sowa is the former Senior Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer for MetLife In this role, he was responsible for overseeing...

Maryland’s Comptroller, Peter Franchot, ensures that our tax dollars are spent wisely and has been a champion for improving schools and strengthening our communities which is vital to economic development where we live, work and play. So sit back, relax and listen in to this great discussion. ---- The Honorable Peter Franchot has served as Maryland’s 33rd comptroller since 2007. First elected to h...

Our guest on this episode is one of our distinguished MBE’s April Richardson, Esq., President & Co-founder of DC Sweet Potato Cake. April shares with us how her bakery had to pivot during the pandemic, how she and her staff have been coping and the new ventures she has underway. This is a continuation of our special series showcasing MBE’s and their “Untold Stories.” ---- • President & Co-...

One of our distinguished MBE’s, Mercedita Roxas-Murray, joins us for HotChat. As Founder & CEO of Montage Marketing Group LLC, she brings a unique perspective on how a marketing services agency navigates the new normal internally and for its clients. This will be a great discussion about how she got started and how she’s managed through this pandemic. This is a continuation of our special seri...

Today Dr. McConnell will discuss how his organization is coping during this pandemic and how they’ve had to pivot. This is a continuation of our special series showcasing MBE’s and their “Untold Stories.” ---- Dr. Irving W. McConnell is Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The McConnell Group; a health sciences company. The McConnell Group, has dedicated more than three decades of his prof...

One of our distinguished MBE’s 21st Century Expo Group – Ray, Leslie & Iman McFarland join us today. They own and operate a premier expo and tradeshow company located in Prince George’s County. In this special series we’re highlighting the “Untold Stories of minority businesses and how they’re coping with the pandemic” so stay tuned with us. ---- Rayford (Ray) B. McFarland is Founder and Chief...

The one & only David Gardner, Co-Founder and Chief Rule Breaker of The Motley Fool joins us today to tell us about his company and how they help millions of people obtain financial freedom through investing. ---- David Gardner is the Co-Founder and Chief Rule Breaker at The Motley Fool, a financial services company he started in 1993 alongside his brother, Tom.  In Shakespeare, the court...

In this episode, Ambassador Tom Fong addresses the rise in Asian-American hate crimes that have been impacting this community over recent months since the onset of the pandemic. Also, learn how we find commonality to build better bonds across communities of color and how to Stand in Solidarity against hate during AAPI Heritage Month. ---- Thomas Fong is a third generation Washingtonian having grow...

US Senator Chris Van Hollen provides insight into new legislation & policies that will impact minority business owners as they continue to work through the challenges that this pandemic has had on the economy and communities of color. ---- Senator Chris Van Hollen was elected to the United States Senate by the people of Maryland in November 2016. His top priorities include creating more and be...

In our first Podcast episode, we feature Victor Hoskins, President and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). In this episode, we: 1. Learn more about Mr. Hoskin’s new role and the mission of the organization; 2. Discuss how FCEDA has had to pivot during this pandemic; 3. Explore what Victor is hearing from the business community in Fairfax County; 4. Learn what are the...