Dena Owens
Chamber sets ‘winning’ tone for EV futures, DEI and Memphis Music
Ted Townsend, Greater Memphis Chamber’s new president and CEO, announced Tuesday (Dec. 13) that Ford has selected Memphis and West Tennessee for its two-year mobility innovation challenge starting in 2023.
Ford is partnering with the Chamber, StartCo and other agencies to review options for...
‘Part of the DNA will be DEI at BlueOval City’
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are front and center of hiring at BlueOval City, Ford Motor Company prepares to open its s new mega plant in Stanton, Tennessee, in 2025.
“Around the BlueOval City project, our goal is to have the workforce be reflective of...
MLGW president resigns; plans return to Florida
J.T. Young, president and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division, has resigned from his position effective October 14.
MLGW announced on Friday, Sept. 23, that Young has accepted a position with Florida Power & Light, his previous employer.
No information regarding an interim president...
Economic Development Forum provides setting to make sense of ‘opportunity’
Gov. Bill Lee and Mayor Jim Strickland talked “opportunity” at the “Power Breakfast” that opened the Wednesday session of the Mid-South Minority Business Council (MMBC) Continuum’s 15th Annual Economic Development Forum.
“It’s not the lack of ability people have, but the lack of opportunities to...
PGA officials urge minority businesses to get in on the $84-billion golf industry – and here’s how
A summit and an open invitation to minority-owned businesses accented the buildup to the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship golf tournament, which began with play at TPC Southwind on Thursday.
The theme – Make Golf Your Business – set the tone for diverse suppliers to...
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: A ‘wake-up call’ for workplace equality
As an element in the yearlong observance of The New Tri-State Defender’s “Road to 70 and Beyond!” anniversary – the TSD has embarked on an exploration of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), a business strategy embraced worldwide to increase company success.
DEI programs at FedEx,...
Emmy winner’s success message to Memphis: “You ‘can’ have it”
Andre Davis Jr. knows it’s important to share how he rose from being a talented African-American teen in Memphis – who loved music and theater – to becoming an award-winning producer in Hollywood.
Davis and six other African-American producers earned a daytime Emmy Award for...
Examining Ford’s move to build nation’s largest EV Plant in West Tennessee
Ford Motor Co. has announced plans to build America’s largest electric truck and battery plant at the Memphis Regional Megasite near Stanton, Tennessee in Haywood County.
Located between Memphis and Jackson, the site covers 4,000 acres of industrial land developed in 2012.
Stanton – a 50-mile,...
‘Tale of Two Cities’ discussion spotlights impact of sudden disruptions on MWBE businesses
In Philadelphia, about 67 percent of the city’s minority enterprises were not “technology ready” when COVID-19 disrupted business as usual, said Della Clark, president and CEO of The Enterprise Center, a minority business development agency there.
Clark, a 28-year minority enterprise expert, spoke during the...
Inside the city’s We Mean Business symposium
Millions of dollars in new minority contract opportunities were announced yesterday during day-one of the city’s 6th annual We Mean Business symposium.
“Ensuring that all businesses have a fair opportunity to do business with city government is a top priority for me,” said Mayor Jim...