Online at urbancny.com
American Musical Legends: Todd Rundgren, Ramsey Lewis, and more to Perform at
M&T Jazz Fest
Mountain Goats vs. African Americans Church Access
‘Bayou Soul’ Singer Marc Broussard , UAD Kings of the Fall, Soft Spoken Band, Peter Mack Macktet and “Extraordinary” Discoveries Canen and Nick DiMaria also Slated to Appear at Syracuse Jazz Fest 35 at OCC, June 9 & 10, 2017. (Syracuse, NY) According to Syracuse Jazz Fest founder and executive producer Frank Malfitano, M&T Jazz Fest 35 will again feature an eclectic mash up of musical styles including Jazz, Soul-Jazz, Trad Jazz from New Orleans, Western Swing, Soul and Americana, and a characteristically diverse brand of artistic programming that has earned the long running Syracuse festival national recognition as “The Northeast’s Largest Free Jazz Festival” while garnering “Best Musical Festival” honors locally and regionally for the past decade.
and NEA Jazz Master Ramsey Lewis, New Orleans Grammy Award-winning Rebirth Brass Band, 10-time Grammy winners and the reigning ‘Kings of Western Swing’ – Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel, and Soul newcomer Marc Broussard from Lafayette Louisiana.
In addition, OCC Gallery representatives announced that a major 35-year Jazz Fest retrospective will be mounted at OCC’s Ann Felton Multicultural Art Gallery located in Ferrante Hall beneath Storer Auditorium. The month-long exhibit which kicks off on May 15th and runs through June 15th, will feature original Malfitano also announced that a solid art, jazz fest posters, festival memorabilcontingent of Central New York-based ia, archival photographs and news artiartists will also be appearing at this year’s cles covering the past 35 years of Jazz festival, with 5 ensembles featuring Syra- Fest. cuse musicians slated to perform. Festival groups with Central NY roots at this Festival officials went on to say that there year’s festival include Carrie Lazarus’ dis- will also be a companion free admission 3 The 2017 edition of M&T Jazz Fest will coveries (14-year old jazz vocalist) Canen -part, afternoon jazz film series on camtake place on the campus of Onondaga and jazz trumpeter Nick DiMaria, and pus in Storer Auditorium, curated by the Community College for the 15th time, on JAMS (Joined Artists Musicians & Singers festival’s cultural partners at the Syracuse Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10. coalition) groups UAD: Kings fo the Fall International Film Festival, on Thursday Click for 2017 M&T JazzFest Poster. and the Soft Spoken Band, and acoustic June 8, Friday June 9 and Saturday June jazz bassist Peter Mack & The Macktet, 10, which will include: Miles Ahead, Miss The 2017 festival will feature perforfeaturing Steve Brown, keyboardist Dino Sharon Jones and The Benny Goodman mances by a sextet of Award-winning Losito, Drummer Mike Melito, Saxopho- Story. headliners and national artists, including: nist Joe Carello and special guest Melissa American music industry legend Todd According to Malfitano, the festival’s 2nd Gardiner on Trombone. Rungren; Americana greats and 2-time evening, Saturday, June 10, will lead off ACM, 2-time CMA & Grammy Award win- Reel Jazz in the afternoon (Continued on page 2) ners The Mavericks; jazz piano legend
Landmark Theater Syracuse
Ring of Fire at Syracuse Stage
NYS Free College Tuition Program
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with a performance by Extraordinary discovery and jazz trumpeter Nick DiMaria, followed by Syracuse’s Soft Spoken Band (featuring bassist Reggie Seigler and vocalist Donna Alford) and a special return engagement by New Orleans’ Grammy winning Rebirth Brass Band (who last appeared at the College as part of the AAC Legends of Jazz Series). Saturday evening’s co-headliners are 10time Grammy winners Ray Benson and Asleep At The Wheel (who call their music “jazz with a cowboy hat”) and the legendary Todd Rundgren making his Syracuse Jazz Fest debut, and first Syracuse area appearance since joining forces with Ringo Starr & The All Starr Band last season at Lakeview Amphitheater. According to Malfitano, Mr. Rundgren will be performing all of his Greatest Hits with a full band this time around. In between Friday evening’s late evening performances by NEA Jazz Master and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis and his electric quintet, and the group that “…stole last year’s festival” and last year’s Americana Group of the Year, The Mavericks – featuring lead vocalist Raul Malo, and charter members Paul Deekin, Jerry Dale McFadden and Eddie Perez – Jazz Fest will again feature a free fireworks display sponsored by Price Chopper Supermarkets immediately following the conclusion of Mr. Lewis’s co-headline set. As previously announced, the 2017 Festival has been ‘Officially Dedicated’ to longtime Syracuse Jazz Fest Board president & WAER-FM jazz DJ, Oscar L. Peterson Jr, who passed away this past October after a valiant and courageous battle with multiple illnesses. Oscar Peterson Jazz Fest Dedication
.
Marc Broussard
Ramsey Lewis
The Mavericks
For more information, visit syracusejazzfest.com or Syracuse Jazz Fest on Facebook. Admission to the 2017 M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest is Free, and All events are Free & Open to the public.
2017 Jazz Fest Saturday Schedule
The following artists are scheduled to Appear
Soft Spoken Band
2017 Jazz Fest Friday Schedule
Rebirth Brass Band
Asleep At The Wheel
UAD Kings of the Fall
Todd Rundgren
Published monthly online by: URBAN CNY Kenneth Jackson Editor and Publisher 315-807-9022 Walt Shepperd Senior Editor Urban CNY 105 Rann Ave. Syracuse, NY 13204 For advertising and editorial: 315-807-9022 kjackson@urbancny.com Online at urbancny.com
Mountain Goats vs. African Americans: Church Access Blocked by Annual Mountain Goat Run Every year, congregants of churches serving the AfricanAmerican community are met with road blocks and delays, as they attempt to navigate through the city in an effort to attend, regularly scheduled church services. The Annual Mountain Goat Run is a grueling 10 mile race its route winds through our city and neighborhoods. This year the race occurred on Sunday, May 7th. While The Annual Mountain Goat Run is an event that draws 3,600 runners to our community, and enlists the services of 400 volunteers. It’s the African-American church community that bears the brunt of being inconvenienced by routinely having congregants arrive late, if at all on Mountain Goat Sunday. City streets are intermittently closed to traffic; the route has long impeded community access to places of worship that happen to be located in a zone within the route of the Annual Mountain Goat Race. If the church is not within the zone, the road block(s) prevent people from passing through the race zone to attend churches that happen to be located on the other side. Congregants and church leaders complain annually about this logistical nightmare. At least one Pastor has stated, “It’s time for church leaders in the African -American Community to address this problem”. 4 of at least 30 churches impacted by the Mountain Goat Run There are suggestions that the race departure time could be adjusted. Another option is to move the Annual Mountain Goat Run to Saturday, which would avoid the collision between church attendee’s and race participants.
In the past, any comments regarding the Mountain Goat Run have been met with a visceral response from the running community. Perhaps, it’s time for the African-American Church community to have a visceral response to the annual event, which for years has blocked access to one of our most cherished institutions.
Governor Cuomo Launches The New York State Excelsior Scholarship Application
Students Can Now Apply to Attend College Tuition-Free
First-in-the-Nation Program to Make SUNY and CUNY Tuition-Free for Families Making Up to $125,000 Per Year
Over 940,000 Middle-Class Families Will Qualify for Program When Fully Phased In
ship, students must be New York State residents, plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year college, take 30 credits per year (including Summer and Winter sessions), and be on track to graduate on time with an Associate’s Degree in two years or a Bachelor’s Degree in four years. Recipients must also plan to live in New York State for the length of time they received the award. Under this groundbreaking program, nearly 80 percent, or 940,000 middle-class families and individuals making up to $125,000 per year, would qualify to attend college tuition-free when fully phased in. A regional breakdown is available here.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the application for the Excelsior Scholarship is now open. SUNY and CUNY students whose families make up to $100,000 annually can now apply for tuition-free college here. When fully implemented, the Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other aid programs, will allow 52 percent of resident fulltime students to attend a SUNY or CUNY two-year or four-year college tuition-free.
"With the launch of the first-in-the-nation Excelsior Scholarship program, the dream of a college education and a better life is now within reach for all New Yorkers," Governor Cuomo said. "A college degree has become a necessity to succeed in the modern economy, and this program is the ticket to greater opportunity and will help build the stronger, smarter workforce New York needs to compete in the global economy." To be eligible for an Excelsior Scholar-
Dr. Guillermo Linares, Acting President of the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, said, “Studies have found that states that make higher education a priority have smarter and more diverse talent pools and greater economic opportunities. Excelsior Scholarships are a sound investment in our students, our highquality public university systems and our State.” To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the NYS Tuition Assistance Program application, if applicable, and the Excelsior Scholarship application at hesc.ny.gov/excelsior. Applications will be accepted through Friday, July 21. Learn more at hesc.ny.gov.
Farm Fresh Mobile Markets June 2017 Schedule The Farm Fresh Mobile Market brings fresh produce to locations where people live, work, and play! The goal of the FFMM is to increase access to healthy foods in high need area. The Farm Fresh Mobile Market offers healthy vegetables and fruits as well as education, samples, and food demonstrations at select sites.
Syracuse Stage celebrates American music icon with ‘Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash’ SYRACUSE, NY – From the songbook of The Man in Black himself, comes the musical adaptation “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash”. Performed by a multi -talented cast of 10, the show features 38 Cash classics including “I Walk the Line”, “A Boy Named Sue” and “Folsom Prison Blues”. This lively musical about love and faith, struggle and success, and rowdiness and redemption, opens at Syracuse Stage on June 9 in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage/SU Drama Complex, 820 E. Genesee St. Preview performances are June 7 and 8. “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” is an addition to the 2016/2017 Syracuse Stage season. Stage’s artistic director Robert Hupp’s interest in “Ring of Fire” stems from his experience working on its revival at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. He’s seen the show multiple times and has since come to understand the value of Cash’s music. Hupp believes the broad range of Cash’s musical talents is what makes “Ring of Fire” director, Syracuse Stage. "He's a lion in our culture appealing to all ages. with appeal that extends beyond the music alone."
Join us at 7 p.m. for a free screening of the documentary “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison”. Michael Streissguth, writer and producer of the film, will give a “He’s not defined by one era of music the way some Created by Richard Maltby, Jr. conceived by William post-screening talk and book signing. The film runs 90 popular musicians are,” said Hupp. “He’s transcended Meade and directed by Rand Myler (originally directed minutes. any particular era and has broad appeal because his by Jason Edwards), “Ring of Fire” paints a musical pormusic was authentic and true to who he was.” trait of The Man in Black that will entertain and inJune 15 Happy Hour at 6 p.m. (free for ticket spire theatregoers from all backgrounds. holders) “Ring of Fire” has been performed at venues around Enjoy complimentary appetizers and beer tastings the nation. From New York to Chicago, Arizona to Indi- “Taken together, Johnny Cash’s songs seem to tell an from Empire Brewing Company and half-priced drinks ana, audiences and critics alike have almost mythic story of America,” at our bar. praised the show. said Maltby in a statement in Playbill. “That’s what we’re June 17 Prologue at 2 p.m. (free for ticket hold“A wild and burning performance concert attempting to put on stage. I ers) with a first-class cast that does its best think the humility, the humor, An intimate, 20-minute pre-show discussion with the when it is kicking up its heels and deliverthe sexiness, the emotional actors one hour prior to curtain. Bring your questions. ing every song with gusto,” Broaddepth will be a revelation to most wayWorld.com reported. theatre audiences.” ASL Interpreted Performance at 3 p.m. for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. “After seeing an extremely talented enTickets are now available at semble perform ‘Ring of Fire’, I’m reconwww.SyracuseStage.org, by June 21 Open Captioning at 2 p.m. Performance sidering my musical tastes. This Cash is phone at 315-443-3275 and in for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. worth your cash,” said Northwest person at the Box Office. Herald’s Paul Lockwood. “This is truly an ensemble June 22 Prologue at 6:30 p.m. (free for ticket piece, with each performer getting a moment in the holders) spotlight on well-known Johnny and June hits. The Special Events An intimate, 20-minute pre-show discussion with the cast deserves to have a packed house for every perJune 9 Opening Night Party (free for ticket hold- actors one hour prior to curtain. Bring your questions. formance.” ers) Join the cast for a post-show celebration with live mu- June 24 Audio Described Performance at 3 p.m. “Ring of Fire” is built on Cash’s great songs intersic, food, drinks and live music by Pale Green Stars, an for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. spersed with transitional scenes inspired by his life, American country rock band. including episodes from his childhood and his relationMay 28 Open Captioning at 2 p.m. Performance ship with June Carter Cash. The versatile performers in June 11 Prologue at 1 p.m. (free for ticket hold- for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. the cast play an array of instruments covering harers) monicas, fiddles, guitars, mandolins and drums. This An intimate, pre-show discussion with the actors one range of instruments reflects Cash’s ability to span hour prior to curtain. Bring your questions. music genres and to influence great artists like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Even pop stars such as Actor Talkback (free for ticket holders) Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams hold Cash’s A Q&A session with the actors following the 7 p.m. music in high regard. performance. "There's a depth to his artistry, from his country roots to the man he became," said Jill Anderson, managing
June 12 Screening
New! “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison”
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Rep. John Katko Announces Over $388,000 in Annual Upward Bound Funding For Le Moyne College Funding Assists Low-Income and First -Generation College Students Enrolled in the Syracuse City School District WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) today announced that Le Moyne College in Syracuse has been awarded $388,193 in federal funding through the Upward Bound Program. This is the first installment of funding for a program that is intended to last five years, and will total just under 2 million dollars. The Department of Education funding has been allocated so that Le Moyne College may continue providing Upward Bound services to 84 low-income, first-generation students enrolled in the Syracuse City School District at Corcoran, Henninger, and Nottingham High Schools. The Upward Bound program provides enrolled students with academic advisement, tutorial services, mentoring support, counseling services, leadership development, parental and guardian support and en-
gagement, exposure to cultural events and academic programs, college visits, and assistance with college admission and application procedures. The Syracuse City School District is the fifth largest school district in New York State, serving an economically depressed city that experiences a high level of poverty. “We need to create strong educational and job opportunities so that individuals living in poverty can take steps into personal achievement and economic stability. The Upward Bound program is critical to providing these opportunities for students in the City of Syracuse,” said U.S. Rep. John Katko. “I’m proud to have worked with Le Moyne College in support of this funding, and will continue to fight alongside our community partners to break the vicious cycle of poverty that afflicts our City.” As Central New York’s Representative in Congress,
Rep. Katko has focused intensively on the devastating rate of local poverty and the need for strengthening education through public private partnerships. Through the appropriations process, he has supported funding for higher education programming. The Upward Bound Program is one of eight U.S. Department of Education TRIO programs, federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. These programs are targeted to serve and assist lowincome individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs. It also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects. Congressman Katko represents the 24th Congressional District of New York, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and the western portion of Oswego County. For more information visit http://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/ RepJohnKatko.
Tickets for Disney’s The Lion King On Sale at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse tion will spend five weeks in Syracuse perfecting these technical changes. During that process, a large contingent of crew members, actors and technicians – alongside members of the show’s award-winning creative team – will live and work in Syracuse.
Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.
The North American touring productions of The Lion King have been seen by more than 19 million theatergoers. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, The Lion King now proudly makes its Syracuse return.
The show’s director, costume designer and mask codesigner Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show’s ongoing success. The first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show around the world.
About The Lion King
(Syracuse, NY) – Disney Theatrical Productions and Famous Artists announced today that tickets for the long-awaited return engagement of Disney’s The Lion King went on sale to the public on Monday, June 5 at 10am. Disney’s The Lion King will leap onto the Landmark Theatre stage on Thursday, Oct. 26 for a limited engagement of three weeks through Sunday, Nov. 12. Beginning Monday, June 5 tickets will be available at the Landmark Theatre Box Office and online at BroadwayInSyracuse.com. To charge tickets, call 1-866-870 -2717. Orders for groups of ten (10) or more may be placed by calling Famous Artists at 315-4248210. Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Ticket buyers are reminded that Landmark Theatre and Ticketmaster are the only official retail ticket outlets for all performances at the Landmark Theatre. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that the Landmark Theatre is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance. As previously announced, The Lion King North American tour will unveil a newly-configured production, which will launch in Syracuse, allowing the tour to entertain new audiences in cities and venues which previously couldn’t accommodate the show. In addition to the three weeks of performances, the produc-
In its 20th year, The Lion King continues ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 24 global productions have been seen by more than 90 million people. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Performed in eight different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), productions of The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway; London’s West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; Mexico City; Shanghai, Scheveningen, Sapporo and on tour across North America, for a total of ten productions running concurrently across the globe. Having played over 100 cities in 19 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history. The Lion King won six 1998 Tony Awards®: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical. The Lion King has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle
The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from “Rhythm of the Pride Lands,” an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.” (continued on page 11)
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The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who codirected The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay. Other members of the creative team include: Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (production supervisor). Anne Quart serves as co-producer.
For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.
Saturday, October 28
8:00 PM
The Syracuse engagement of The Lion King is presented by arrangement with Famous Artists and is a subscription offering of the Famous Artists Broadway Theater Series Broadway in Syracuse. The Famous Artists Broadway Theater Series is sponsored by Y94 and News Channel 9.
Sunday, October 29
6:30 PM
Monday, October 30
7:30 PM
Wednesday, November 1
7:30 PM
Thursday, November 2
7:30 PM
Friday, November 3
8:00 PM
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Saturday, November 4
2:00 & 8:00 PM
Thursday, October 26
7:30 PM
Sunday, November 5
1:00 & 6:30 PM
Friday, October 27
8:00 PM
Tuesday, November 7
7:30 PM
Wednesday, November 8 7:30 PM Thursday, November 9 2:00 & 7:30 PM Friday, November 10
8:00 PM
Saturday, November 11 2:00* & 8:00 PM Sunday, November 12
1:00 PM
*ASL performance For more information, visit BroadwayInSyracuse.com.
Project One Voice and Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company presents Yellowman Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company presents a staged-reading of YELLOWMAN...internal racism within the Black community wounds the love between dark-skinned Alma and light-skinned Eugene, friends from youth to adulthood. Monday, June 19, 2017 – 7pm ArtRage Gallery - 505 Hawley Ave. Admission at door: $10 general / $5 student Adult themes & language. Talk-back follows the performance. click here for Yellowman Poster YELLOWMAN, by Dael Orlandersmith, is featured under the Project1VOICE initiative-OneVoice/OnePlay/ OneDay, supporting the American theater and black playwrights. PRPAC’s previous Project1VOICE presentations were: For Colored Girl’s Who’ve Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Was Enough (2014), Home (2015),The Colored Museum (2016). YELLOWMAN cast: Charles Anderson, Karin FranklinKing, Herbert “Tone” Merrick,Debra Richardson, SonCeria Warren, Jackie Warren-Moore and Derrick Whitt.
Two New MWBE Programs to Expand Capacity-Building Opportunities and Offer Certification Assistance to MWBE-Eligible Firms Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the creation of two new minority and women-owned business enterprise programs. A Request for Proposals has been issued for the creation of the MWBE Business Growth Accelerator and Certification Assistance programs, which are designed to increase capacity and ensure MWBE participation in State contracting. First announced during the Governor’s 2017 State of the State address, the new initiatives will support the growth and momentum of MWBEs across the state, and will be gram provide the State with another tool to supoverseen by Empire State Development’s Diviport the growth of MWBE firms and ensure their sion of Minority and Women’s Business Develop- participation in State contracting." ment. The NYS MWBE Business Growth Accelerator "Our economy is strongest when it represents Program, an initiative first announced by Goverthe full spectrum of talent and experience that nor Cuomo in the 2017 State of the State adNew York has to offer," Governor Cuomo said. dress, creates an opportunity for participating "From connecting firms with business developMWBEs to receive intensive technical assistance ment tools and business and redevelopment sources to training setting the through selecthighest ed local proMWBE providers with curement demonstrated goal in the experience in nation, we serving this are continubusiness comally supmunity. Up to porting the five grant readvancecipients will be ment of tasked with MWBEs implementing across the an 18 month state. These program that two proincludes semigrams will nars and indibuild on New York’s incredible momentum and vidualized one-on-one business development create even greater opportunities for MWBEs to assistance to participating MWBEs, with efforts thrive." focused on areas where there is a collective need for standard business acumen. "Empire State Development’s committed support for MWBEs is founded upon simple, comGrantees will partner with local industry experts monsense economics —New York’s financial in delivering support and training on a range of growth and stability depends upon the success of business topics, including marketing, finance, its MWBE businesses," said ESD President, CEO & contracting, and sales - tailored to the capacity Commissioner Howard Zemsky. "We must ensure needs of each participating MWBE firm. that MWBE entrepreneurs have the capacity to fully participate in our economy’s vibrant growth. The NYS MWBE Certification Assistance Program The MWBE Business Growth Accelerator Prowill identify up to five selected grantees to program and MWBE Certification Assistance Provide support to firms seeking NYS MWBE Certifi-
cation. This program will allow firms to work with an expert to identify any deficiencies in their MWBE certification application that may affect the timeliness and ultimate certification decision by DMWBD. Governor Cuomo has promoted these programs to provide MWBE firms with the technical assistance necessary to help their businesses thrive in New York State. Institutions interested in implementing either of these programs within their region should visit the Empire State Development website to obtain information on the RFP proposal response requirements: The Business Growth Accelerator Program RFP is available Here. The Certification Assistance Program RFP is available Here.
Awardees for each of these programs will be announced at the 2017 NYS MWBE Forum. In 2014, Governor Cuomo set the nation's highest goal for MWBE procurement at 30 percent. For fiscal year 2015-2016, MWBEs secured $1.9 billion in State contracts and under the Governor’s leadership, more than 5,500 MWBEs have been certified since 2011. During his 2016 State of the State address, Governor Cuomo pledged to increase MWBE certification by an additional 2,000 businesses – the State is on track to meet that goal by 2018. About Empire State Development Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency ( www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the DMWBD, ESD seeks to promote equality of economic opportunities for MWBEs and to eliminate barriers to their participation and resources that increase access to information and opportunities for New York State certified Minority and Women-owned businesses throughout the State. For more information on DMWBD and Empire State Development, please visit www.esd.ny.gov/mwbe.html and www.esd.ny.gov.