|
August 2002
The 2002 Minority Business Executive Program was held at
the Tuck School of Business, on the Ivy League campus at Dartmouth
College in New Hampshire in mid-July. This five-day
immersion program gathered 117 minority business owners from
all over the United States to learn and gain understanding
about winning strategies, financial planning and growth, people
and communication skills, and innovative marketing.
The basic premise of the Program is to provide minority-owned firms with a
world-class education so they can effectively run their businesses. The
hope is that by providing these business owners the right skill-set to grow
their business they, in turn, will create jobs in local communities across
the country.
The U.S. Census Bureau is projecting that 90 percent of the net population
growth in the United States over the next 50 years will be in minority groups. As
the demographic mix of our population changes it becomes even more imperative
that minority entrepreneurship must play an increasing role in economic growth
and competitiveness.
In the 23 years of its existence, the Program at Dartmouth has achieved a high
level of success. The 2,000 alumni of the Program represent over
1,725 businesses; over 63,250 employees; and generate $13.8 billion in annual
sales.
Students enrolled in the Program are as diverse as the cultures they represent. They
are Hispanic, Asian, African-American, American-Indian, and in attendance was
a blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman from Oklahoma who someone mistook for television
journalist Deborah Norville.
The spirit of cooperation from this diverse social group is a reflection of
the vision they all share in creating a strong economic backbone to sustain
our country’s future. This shared vision brings into focus
America ’s future as a place of many ethnic groups working together. These
businesses not only plan on growing and prospering, but also are intent on
finding a way to give something back to their communities.
The five days I spent at Dartmouth studying with this select group of business
owners was truly an inspiration. The values that they embody in
family, purpose, respect, and integrity make me believe that the future of
America is in capable hands. These well-intentioned hands and hearts
will create jobs in our communities. The individuals within these
communities of various backgrounds, races and religions will continue to build
a strong economy. More than ever, the worth of social diversity
in the marketplace must be encouraged. Our country’s willingness
to embrace this diversity will play an increasingly important part of our economic
future.
|
|
