Nov - Dec 2020 | Insights to Opportunity
www.houstontx.gov/obo | Page 4
The Office of Business Opportunity: Houston MBDA’s 2020 Community Partner of the Year By: Pearl K. Cajoles
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he Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) was named Community Partner of the Year during the 6th Annual Salute to Minorities in Construction, presented by the Houston Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center. OBO Director Marsha E. Murray accepted the award on behalf of her team, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City of Houston during the virtual event on Nov. 10, 2020. Operated by Houston Community College and funded in part by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Houston MBDA aims to foster the growth and global competitiveness of minorityowned business enterprises (MBEs). Since 2013, MBDA and OBO have partnered in several initiatives to provide workshops, webinars, training and other events to the business community, including OBO’s capacity building and mentorship programs tailored to assist those in the construction industry to grow their business and increase their subcontracting opportunities. “The Office of Business Opportunity and the City of Houston have always been intentional in creating opportunities in the construction industry,” Murray said. “The City spends millions and at times billions in construction projects, and we want to make sure that minorities also get a piece of that pie. In fact, the City spent more than $280 million with MBEs in the construction arena during the last fiscal year.” Including those in the construction industry, there are more than 4,259 small businesses in OBO’s certified firm directory. By successfully completing the City of Houston’s certification process, facilitated by OBO, these businesses
“We will continue to make a difference in 2021 and beyond.”
GROUP EFFORT: OBO Director Marsha E. Murray credits the entire OBO team — including from left, Tifney Scott, Donald Black, LaQuinta Burton and Tamara Luera — for the 2020 Houston MBDA Community Partner of the Year Award.
are better poised to take advantage of contracting opportunities in and outside of the City. The impact of OBO, however, goes beyond certification. With a mission of cultivating a competitive and diverse economic environment in Houston, and with a focus on growing small business and workforce development, the department touches the community in a myriad of ways. OBO’s Contract Compliance division monitors more than $8 billion in City
contracts and ensures fair wages, the Certification division has improved processing time for applications, and the External Affairs division has increased participation in its business development and workforce development initiatives. Since March, OBO’s online COVID-19 Resource Hub has received more than 4,291 visitors. As Murray leads her team toward the new year, she is looking forward to expanding and extending the reach
