New York City's MWBE program leads to emotional & psychological trauma

I continue to ask myself what purpose does an MWBE certification serve in my business and in my life? In all honesty, since getting involved with this program it has been nothing but a broken system, failures, disappointments, humiliation among other mentions that I will table for now.

Earlier this year the NYC Small Business Solution advertised about the Resilience Grant Program they were funding to be administered by Lendistry. Well, I applied as many other minority own businesses did and my application sat in the system with the same "pending status for 5+ months". Each time that I called about the status of my application I was told to keep checking the system and watching for an email. It has been in my experience that when you keep doing the same thing over and over it leads to insanity. Finally, I got an email to tell me that they did not have any more funding. https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/537-22/mayor-adams-1-5-million-investment-nyc-small-business-resource-network

The other day I listened to the mayor brag about investing 1.5 million for business resource network and I said that is odd when not too long ago they had no-more funding so you would think the mayor would have invested in making sure that all those minority own businesses that did not get the resiliency grant should be funded. ?But that is just my 2 cents since it has become evident that the mayor seeks bragging rights, is on every set and all that is happening in NYC is a big bunch of mess.?Some find my truths offensive and that has never been my intensions, I am just a realist and will never call a spade a heart. And for the record, no I am not a racist nor am I the angry or scorn black woman ~ I do ask my sisters and brothers this question: okay you had a black president for (2) terms, you have a black mayor, a black Bronx borough president, so tell me what is different for you now? It is you that takes care of you.

I think back to the 6-million-dollar city contract and the countless challenges, the humiliation, lack of service support from the procurement staff tasked with oversight and accountability ~ which should be under sight and non-accountability. What I have learned is that city officials do not want the world to know the real scoop and do whatever they can to keep you quiet. But, I will continue to speak my truth because I want my people to know to avoid getting caught-up in the web.

These city officials appoint this and that person with certain roles and it sounds great to the public, but it is not happening, (the roles they have been designated to). Not long ago I reached out to Mayor Adam's office attempting to meet with him, well he was too busy and the Senior Advisor from the office of the Deputy mayor for strategic initiatives reached out to me, we had a meeting, and he requested the names of all city officials and all correspondences in re: the contract and the unfair, bias, and humiliating treatment I endured. He had been communicating, but after receiving the information, he stopped and I sent multiple emails, called and no-response. This behavior has become a common practice ~ they gather information and next thing you know they are offering a workshop or webinar to teach you this or that around your complaint while you are kept silent. Thankfully the data does not lie, and you can best believe that I have it all to support my complaint. Not to mention I had already been on national television 2x sharing my horrible experience with the city MWBE program. ?You can listen here. Meet D’Sheene | Eyes of Power

Just imagine where my business would be today or better yet, I surely would not still be in business if I limited myself to the M/WBE program and I am pleased with my thriving business. I find that in business even in your personal life a person becomes stuck because they made the choice to do so ~ not my story.

These are just some of the challenges that black business owners face, and it needs to be talked about. This takes me back to slavery where my ancestors had to fight all their lives ~ well that fight continues after all this time.

Today I am taking a stance and will be retaining counsel to serve all those that contributed to the emotional and psychological trauma I have experienced and when my M/WBE certification expires, I have no intentions of renewing it, for what? I pride myself for being a fearless leader that make it happen for herself and I will continue to use my voice at the top of the mountain until justice is served ~ people will be held accountable for their behaviors.

I hope this article inspires all black business owners to put your best foot forward, re-write your business plan, beta-test strategies that close deals and NOT waste your time with the city M/WBE program. To me, that program is like the Macy's sale "friends and family" ~ HINT.

A few folks reached out to me wanting to learn more, so I will add a few links below in re: the M/WBE program. https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/in-focus-shows/2019/11/18/is-the-nyc-m-wre-program-making-the-grade--an-in-focus-exclusive Problems with the City's M/WBE Program - NYC.gov