Work began in late 2004 in obtaining the legal and tax exempt status. She did all possible to establish incorporators and board members. By January 2005 Black Contractors and Business Owners (BCBO)
made its debut.
During its first year BCBO
struggled with membership, board activity and lack of financial
support. In fact, BCBO was born into the very oppressive
environment it was created to correct. Members and prospective
members of BCBO suffer from basically the ongoing problems of
contract award exclusion and issues during the preliminary and
subsequent contracting process. Obstacles only encourage BCBO's
drive, and by 2007 it began experiencing increases in
membership, board activity and reaching objectives and goals.
BCBO networks with national organizations that push for
equality, justice and contract awards to African American
contractors and small businesses.
In 2007 BCBO will host forums
with various government entities and discuss current contract
award policies. The House Small Business Committee and the Texas
legislative committee on Business and Industry have been asked
to hold hearings in Houston on concerns raised and experienced
constantly by African American businesses in the Houston area.
And while the public may feel things are great for African American Businesses, the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce recently won its lawsuit against the U.S. Small Businesses Administration for discriminating against women-owned businesses. This victory came during the first quarter of 2007 and now presents women with 8% instead of 5 % of contract awards. Houston’s NASA earlier In 2007 also received an F- for several consecutive years for its role in doing business with African
American businesses. A new administrator has been employed at NASA to resolve this ongoing disparity. The City of Houston has its troubles too on affirmative action that were disclosed in February 2007 by a local televised investigation of how Caucasian male-owned businessman was enjoying more than their
lion share of contracts while minority subcontractors were being excluded from the contract award process. BCBO has been monitoring and serving as probe with each entity receiving government funds.
Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) is no stranger to insensitivity to small businesses, especially African American. While it has a major rail system in progress that will cost
atleast more than $ 4 billion, its procurement representative recently boasted that he could care less about minority certification. BCBO continues documenting such harsh mentalities and practices because while MTA says it supports African
American businesses, it continues awarding major non-minority businesses.
On May 19, 2007, BCBO hosted its first forum with Houston Independent School District (HISD) being its guest. African American businesses expressed their concern with current policies of HISD and HISD has begun working towards a strategic partnership with BCBO and some of its members. BCBO plans to meet with all government entities receiving tax and federal dollars and discuss how their policy may be changed or enforced to benefit African America Businesses..
Financial institutions are not immune because of their history of denying loans or charging extremely higher interest rates to African
American. Bank’s conventional means no longer apply to unconventional situations.
Private sector will be held
accountable as well..
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