The First annual Meet the Decision Makers African American History Month Business Breakfast was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, February 16.
The event,Women Leading the Way, featured three phenomenal African American Women decision makers in the Southern California transportation and infrastructure industry. The honorees included Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Deborah Flint, Long Beach Transit Deputy Chief Executive Officer Debra Johnson, and Metro Deputy Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Wiggins. KJLH radio personality, Dominique DiPrima served as mistress of ceremony.
Honorees discussed the importance of diversity in hiring and in the contracting process at their respective agencies. Since millions of dollars will be spent on current and upcoming public works projects at their respective agencies, they encouraged small and diverse business owners to actively pursue contracting opportunities that will be available soon.
During the Women Leading the Way event, each honoree shared her personal journey to success. There was also a moderated Q&A segment which gave attendees an opportunity to engage directly with each honoree and ask questions related to disadvantaged business opportunities and more.
The event included remarks by such notable elected officials as Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas, Supervisor Hilda Solis, City Attorney Mike Feuer and City Council member Curren Price. Also present were City Council member Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Airport Commissioner Nolan Rollins, Metro Board Member Jackie Dupont-Walker, and City of West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey Horvath.
Meet the Decision Makers: Women Leading the Way was sponsored by AECOM, Delaware North, Kiewit, Skanska, SSP, and Time Warner Cable.
Meet the Decision Makers was established as a public forum in 2014 to connect elected officials and major public sector decision-makers with small business owners, faith leaders and engaged citizens. In the past, Meet the Decision Makers has heard from decision makers such as City Attorney Mike Feuer, City Council President Herb Wesson, City Councilman Gil Cedillo, and Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Hilda Solis.
For more information, please contact Nicole Clark Reed at (310) 806-4855 or [email protected].
