Below is a section of an email that I sent this morning to Ms. Julie Miner (City of Tulsa - Mayor's Economic Development Team). It briefly outlines the rationale for creating some sort of committee / group / sub-group of an existing organization or collaborative of several organizations, in order to engage minority ('thinking specifically Hispanic, but could expand to others) business owners to "plug-in" to the efforts of Tulsa now, CORE, and other groups.
this would be a sort of outreach program focused on Economic Development: collaboration between several of the Tulsa communities, as far as the business sector is concerned.
the day that I was voted by the city council to serve on the greater Tulsa Hispanic affairs commission, councilor Randy Sullivan asked if I would investigate the possibility of collaboration in this manner (unbeknownst to him, I'm actually taking him to task on that comment, and expanding it to do something good for Tulsa). [
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Tulsa has a great wealth of non-profit organizations (at least 12 or so, at my last count) offering social services to its Hispanic population. However, for those Tulsa Hispanic citizens who would like to start a business (open a retail store, restaurant, or offer a skilled trade), expand a business, move a business to Tulsa, etc., there are very few resources.
Tulsa Now, ypTulsa, Step-Up Tulsa, and several other like-minded organizations are well-informed of such resources (both referral and educational), and have the ability to create more. Such a network could help existing and aspiring Tulsa Hispanic business owners to reach the full potential of their skills and aspirations.
My own company (Toydrum Inc.), and a sister company of mine (Community Capital Development) have had great success in building a similar network in NW Arkansas. In NOV/DEC of this year, we have approached some of our contacts in Tulsa and have realized that there is a great need in this area.
The abovementioned organizations make mention in meetings, publications, etc. the realization of a future "face of economic development" if you will: younger, more diverse, independent entrepreneurs. ypTulsa has made inroads in providing young professionals with similar services. My desire is to put these pieces together in to a model that would catalyze business growth amongst minority communities.
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Carlos Moreno
Toydrum Inc.
www.toydrum.com