Diversity Good for Business, Rosenworcel, Others Tell ACDDE
Increasing diversity is good for business, said acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and others told the FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment. The virtual event Wednesday was to educate diverse business owners and provide networking opportunities in the…
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communications industry. Diversity also is “a moral imperative,” Rosenworcel said. “Inclusion isn’t expensive, exclusion is,” said Internet Association CEO Dane Snowden. Doing business with minorities is “good for business, good for the economy, and promotes global stability," said Edith McCloud, acting national director of the Commerce Department's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). New entrants, minority-owned businesses and smaller businesses face barriers for large government contracts, speakers said. There’s an “upswing” toward consolidation in procurement contracts, said Tony Crescenzo, president of government contractor Intelligent Waves. Smaller companies should align themselves with bigger companies, he said. Increasingly stringent cybersecurity requirements could freeze out smaller businesses, said Major Clark, acting chief counsel at the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. More contracts went to small businesses from companies than from the federal government, said Angela Washington, an MBDA business development specialist. AT&T requires suppliers include diverse businesses in their subcontracting, said Executive Director-Supplier Diversity Jalayna Bolden. Legislation stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and focused on broadband infrastructure could provide an avenue for training, “upskilling” and more money to flow to diverse businesses, said Jonathan Adelstein, president of the Wireless Infrastructure Association: “The industry needs to include diversity as part and parcel of what they do.” Grant programs are available to minority-owned businesses involved in building broadband networks, but they must demonstrate their businesses will remain viable when grant money dries up, said Scott Woods, senior broadband specialist at NTIA’s BroadbandUSA program. The FCC and other federal agencies should "examine existing engagement strategies for including minority business enterprises in current and future procurement opportunities," Washington said in the event chat window.