HOUSTON – Aug. 18, 2020 – In conjunction with National Black Business Month, Waste Management, the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce, and Leadership Houston announced the launch of “Share The Mic and The Money Now,” a four-day virtual event aimed at elevating the power of allyship and bringing Black women business owners and leaders to a network of decision-makers that can provide them with significant and lucrative opportunities for their businesses.

Starting on August 25, “Share The Mic and The Money Now,” will begin with Black women executives having live Twitter chats with White women executive counterparts, followed by 40 Houston-based Black women business owners pitching their services to participating companies for the opportunity to earn contracts worth millions. Organizers have also collaborated with the Greater Houston Partnership on the event.

“Waste Management’s support of ‘Share The Mic and The Money Now’ aligns with our values and vision for a future that is one of inclusion,” said Tamla Oates-Forney, senior vice president and chief people officer for Waste Management. “We are excited to collaborate with Houston area business leaders to ensure that this experience can successfully connect Black and White Women Executives and help local Black women-owned businesses to grow further and elevate their brands.”

On the final day, August 28, selected Black women business owners will be notified of a corporation’s intent to engage them as new suppliers. Additionally, the businesswomen will walk away with a business mentorship provided by Leadership Houston Alumni.

“The number of companies started by black women has increased by over 160% in the last 13 years, so this group has forged a path in the business world,” said Carol Guess, chair, Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce. “Despite these inroads, black women still do not see the same level of revenue as their white counterparts, which is why I am excited about the ‘Share The Mic and The Money Now’ initiative. Elevating black women-owned firms will help elevate not just the black community, but the community as a whole.”

Through the commitment and support from corporations wanting to diversify their suppliers, “Share the Mic and the Money Now” seeks to secure 40 million dollars’ worth of corporate contracts for the selected Black women-owned businesses within the next couple of years.

Corporations interested in supporting this effort by committing to provide a Black woman-owned business with a supplier contract are encouraged to apply through August 21 by visiting the #ShareTheMicAndTheMoneyNow website.

Members of the public can follow the live Twitter conversations using the hashtag #ShareTheMicAndTheMoneyNow.

ABOUT WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management environmental services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides collection, transfer, disposal services, and recycling and resource recovery. It is also a leading developer, operator and owner of landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. The Company’s customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more information about Waste Management, visit www.wm.com.

ABOUT GREATER HOUSTON BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (GHBC)

Founded in 1935 as the city’s first African American civic organization, the GHBC has evolved into an active participant in the City of Houston’s socioeconomic process. The organization is a 501(c)(6), not for-profit, private, member-driven organization that serves the Greater Houston Area. The GHBC helps its partners and members navigate Houston’s large, diverse population, industries and the many nuances, which are unique to Houston.

ABOUT LEADERSHIP HOUSTON

Leadership Houston is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. The mission is to enlighten, empower, and engage diverse community leaders through a broadened knowledge of Houston and increase their civic leadership capacity for the benefit of Greater Houston and its stakeholders. Over 1900 Leadership Houston alumni contribute significantly to the private sector on a daily basis, playing key leadership roles in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, small businesses and Fortune 500 corporations. 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Waste Management

Eloisa Orozco
619.778.6303
eorozco1@wm.com

Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce

Misty Starks
832.283.7575
mysty@mistybluemedia.com