Genesis Block Bridges Prosperity with Walk Thru Certification Event
Genesis Block hosted its second Converting Conversations to Contracts event on May 17 at the McKeithan Center. Dozens of local entrepreneurs and diverse owned businesses gathered to connect with some of the largest organizations and businesses in the state to get connected to their procurement processes.
“We set a goal in 2023 to connect minority owned firms to $2.5 million dollars in contracting opportunities and in collaboration with partners such as the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Cape Fear Community College and others we are positioning these companies to be ready for contracts now. Our focus is to get the companies ready to be viable contract partners and next step is to get their companies prepared to take on capital for expansion,” says Genesis Block Cofounder Tracey Newkirk.
Walk-Thru Certification
The May 17 Conversations to Contracts introduced a new concept to support the Genesis Block goal of connecting minority owned firms to $2.5 million dollars in contracting opportunities. The single largest barrier for some minority owned firms to accessing more contract opportunities relate to the hurdles in the certification process.
“As a minority owned business we know from direct experience the challenge of acquiring the multiple certifications minorities need in order to gain access to contracts that are allocated for them in order for organizations to achieve their minority utilization goals. The volume and intensity of reporting can be overwhelming for early stage business owners. We feel that removing obstacles related to the certification process will improve success rates for minority businesses to get more contract opportunities,” states Genesis Block Cofounder Girard Newkirk.
The Walk-Thru Certification event was a huge success. Genesis Block partnered with The North Carolina Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights and North Carolina Department of Administration to set up certification outposts at the event.
Walk-Thru Certification Recap
There were 20 minority owned firms that received assistance at the Conversations to Contracts Walk-Thru Certification event. The companies were across all industry sectors including transportation, food services, consulting and healthcare.
“The Walk-Thru certification station is a game changer for our Conversations to Contracts event. Now that we have our partners investing resources directly into the certification process of the firms we can immediately begin to build the business relationship to facilitate more contracts,” says Genesis Block Cofounder Tracey Newkirk.
North Carolina Department of Transportation Disaster Ready Pipeline
Genesis Block is partnering with the North Carolina Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights to develop a pipeline of qualified minority owned firms to support coastal regions during natural disasters. Genesis Block will be recruiting firms to organize a database of qualified minority owned businesses to support coastal regions.
The pilot program is in development for the inaugural event to kick-off the outreach. Contact info@genesisblockilm.com for more details.
ILM Airport Concessions Pipeline
Genesis Block is looking for food entrepreneurs and food service providers in the Cape Fear region. We are developing a pipeline of qualified companies to get certified locally to be a concessionaire at ILM Airport. Contact info@genesisblockilm.com for more details.
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Greater Wilmington Business Journal: https://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/insights/girardnewkirk/237
