FROM THE DIRECTOR

A message from OBO Director Marsha E. Murray

Greetings,

Rising to greet the rounding of the corner on COVID-19, and in line with the hopeful and optimistic spirit that resonates throughout OBO, we transformed our “COVID-19 Resource HUB” webpage to a “Resiliency Resource HUB,” welcoming a new phase in the type of support and information we provide you.

In this issue, we highlight our efforts to support the growth and development of businesses in both the public and private sector. We, of course, continue to prioritize maximizing the participation of MWSDBEs in City contracting. However, we also recognize the importance of expanding your client base and the opportunities that exist in private sector supplier diversity programs, especially with the renewed commitment from many corporations over the past year to diversity, equity, and inclusion in how they conduct business. We are actively working with corporate supplier diversity personnel to bring you information about available opportunities and how to access them. We kicked off this enhanced focus with our engagement of the Rice Management Company in their development of Houston’s Innovation District. Watch for more to come!

Finally, I am excited about our new OBO Advisory Board appointees whose breadth of experience in business and developing our local workforce makes them perfectly poised to address the needs of the small business community, particularly minority and women-owned businesses, and disenfranchised individuals in the Houston area.

As usual, I encourage you to stay healthy and safe, and to continue to prioritize the health and safety of your employees and customers.

Sincerely,

Marsha E. Murray Director

About the Director: Marsha E. Murray was appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner and confirmed by City Council to serve as the Director of the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) in April 2020, after having served as OBO’s Interim Director.