Understanding exactly what the Mid-South Minority Business Council (MMBC) does can be a challenge. The organization’s work is so expansive and impactful that it’s difficult to encapsulate it in a single explanation.
“What we do is so broad that people often get only a glimpse of it,” said MMBC CEO Jozelle Booker. “They see the surface—what we promote heavily—but there’s so much more beneath that.”
Next month’s Economic Development Forum will give Mid-Southerners another chance to learn. This year’s theme, “Future Ready: Reimagining, Collaborating, and Transforming,” aims to prepare the Memphis community for the rapidly evolving economic landscape.
The MMBC was established by both public and private corporations to address unemployment in the Black community, with a focus on creating jobs and empowering minority businesses. But their work spans far beyond job creation.
The MMBC connects minority businesses with corporate partners, facilitates certifications, provides training, and even plays a role in reducing crime and increasing consumable income in the community.
“Everything we do ties back to improving the quality of life for Black people,” Booker emphasizes.
The EDF is not just another conference; it’s a convening of the entire community. Public and private corporations, small and large businesses, elected officials, and economic development organizations will all come together. The forum will feature workshops, networking opportunities, and panel discussions on what it means to be “future ready.”
I sat down with Jozelle Booker, CEO of MMBC, to delve deeper into what the organization does and what attendees can expect from the upcoming Economic Development Forum.
Lee Eric Smith: Jozelle, MMBC does so much that it can be challenging to explain exactly what the organization is about. Can you give us a sense of how you describe MMBC’s mission?
Jozelle Booker: Absolutely. The biggest thing to understand is that we were missioned by both public and private corporations to solve for unemployment in the Black community. The outcome of what we do is employment, job growth, and ultimately, the empowerment of Black people. But it’s not just about jobs. When these corporations purchase goods and services from minority businesses, those businesses grow—they hire more people, and that ripple effect improves the quality of life in our communities. It’s about reducing crime, increasing consumable income, and really lifting people up.
Lee Eric Smith: That’s a broad and impactful mission. How does the Economic Development Forum fit into this?
Jozelle Booker: The EDF is a key part of our mission. It’s not just an event about MMBC; it’s a convening of the entire community. We bring together public and private corporations, small and large businesses, B2B and B2C entities, and even elected officials.
This year’s theme, “Future Ready: Reimagining, Collaborating, and Transforming,” is all about preparing businesses and the community for the changes coming our way. Whether you’re a large corporation or a mom-and-pop shop, there’s something for you at the EDF. We’re focused on innovation, strategic partnerships, and adaptability—things that are crucial for any business looking to thrive in the future.
Lee Eric Smith: What can attendees expect?
Jozelle Booker: We have a full schedule of workshops, networking opportunities, and panel discussions. We have speakers like Jim Clifton, who’s going to talk about the evolving business culture and what leadership looks like post-COVID. We’re also focusing on strategic partnerships—how businesses can collaborate to scale up and tackle larger projects. There’s going to be a lot of energy, excitement, and valuable information for anyone looking to grow their business.
Lee Eric Smith: How do you see smaller businesses fitting into such a big event?
Jozelle Booker: There’s definitely a place for smaller businesses. One of the things we emphasize is that even if you’re a small business, you can think big. We have a marketplace for B2C businesses, workshops on business basics, and plenty of opportunities for networking. The EDF is about making connections, learning, and finding the resources you need to grow—no matter the size of your business.
Lee Eric Smith: It sounds like an incredible opportunity for the Memphis business community.
Jozelle Booker: It absolutely is. The EDF is about more than just economic development; it’s about community development. It’s about making sure that Memphis is ready for the future and that our businesses, big and small, have the tools and resources they need to succeed.
