By Jackie Hampton,
Publisher,
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) hosted a round table discussion with Black media Tuesday, September 10, at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson at 11 a.m. SBA Deputy Chief Kendall Corley, an appointee of the Biden-Harris Administration, gave an overview of the services of his office and SBA as a whole.
Corley is responsible for providing advice, guidance and assistance to the administrator and other key officials in multiple program areas related to external engagement.
Corley spoke to the media regarding his position. He was introduced to the media representatives by Janita Stewart, SBA district director, Mississippi District Office.
In her introduction Stewart said Corley’s focus would be on SBA’s equity plan and how the media can work with SBA in terms of highlighting and spotlighting the services SBA provides to help small businesses succeed. She said: “Kendall has owned and operated two small businesses and understands the value small businesses bring to the community.”
Corley shared with the media some of the services they have offered the past 3-1/2 years to make sure small businesses could have access to capital, information on government contracting, procurement opportunities and information on disaster planning. Their office offers advice on anything external, from dealing with local government, mayors, cabinet members and political appointees and public engagements. The goal of his office is to build grass roots partnerships such as one they have established with the Divine Nine, Operation Hope, the Urban League, Black Chamber, and others in order to make sure the people they serve know about the services offered by SBA such as access to capital, government contracting, offering help with planning and providing technical assistance. He noted that during the pandemic, several businesses were not ready to access capital, so they decided to reach out to the communities. Corley spoke of their 1 Million Black Business Initiative in which by the year 2028 through their partnership with Operation Hope, 1 million Black businesses will be provided a successful path to being successful and more sustainable, from creating new businesses as well as providing coaching and other educational services to existing businesses.
Also, in attendance and speaking on behalf of their positions were Senior Advisor Warren D. Miller, Office of Disaster Assistance, Washington, DC; and Assistant Director of Program Management Ahmad Goree, Dallas, Texas.
Miller, who is a native of Mississippi and a presidential appointee, said he was happy to be in Mississippi and that he understood Mississippi is very risk prone when it comes to disasters. “I am just honored to be able to come home and advocate on behalf of SBA whenever disasters happen to help underserved communities get access to the information needed,” stated Miller.
Goree works closely with media outlets promoting SBA programs throughout 68 field offices and ten regional offices throughout the country. His responsibilities include sharing White House initiatives with the national media. He also serves as a liaison to the local and regional communication offices of SBA.
