Why do we still celebrate Black History Month? What is the intersection of Black History and government contracting? Wait, don’t bypass this article because at first glance you think it doesn’t connect to you. It is worth reading. We all stand on someone’s shoulders in our life’s journey.
First, in 2023, at a time when information is readily available at our fingertips, why continue to celebrate Black History Month? Doesn’t everyone need a month? This article delves into the profound metaphor of “standing on someone’s shoulders” within the context of Black history, with a special focus on Black History Month. Through a narrative that traverses historical struggles, triumphs, and contributions of African Americans, the article pays homage to those who made sacrifices in the past. It further explores the lives of influential figures such as Congressman Parren James Mitchell, Andrew Young, Calvin J. Mitchell Jr., and Dr. Joan Parrott-Fonseca, highlighting their crucial roles in government contracting and public service. Black History Month becomes a poignant reminder of the challenges overcome, the progress achieved, and the ongoing work for a better future.
Historical Context: A time to acknowledge the shoulders that we stand on
The precursor to Black History Month, initiated by Carter G. Woodson in 1926, laid the groundwork for acknowledging the significant contributions of African Americans. Initially a week-long celebration, it later evolved into a month-long recognition, officially endorsed by President Gerald Ford in 1976. Woodson emphasized the importance of teaching Black history as a means to ensure the survival and recognition of the Black community’s intellectual and physical prowess. The chosen week, coinciding with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln February 12 and Frederick Douglass February 14, laid the foundation for a broader celebration. At the time of Negro History Week’s launch, Woodson contended that the teaching of Black History was essential to ensure the physical and intellectual survival of Blacks within broader society: If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated…
Black educators and Black United Students at Kent State University first proposed Black History Month in February 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State a year later, from January 2 to February 28, 1970.[4] Six years later, Black History Month was being celebrated all across the country in educational institutions, centers of Black culture, and community centers, both great and small, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976, during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history”.[16]
Black History Month has garnered attention from the U.S. business community.[20]
In 2018, Instagram created its first Black History Month program with the help of its Head of Global Music & Youth Culture Communications, SHAVONE. Instagram’s Black History Month program featured a series of first-time initiatives, including a #BlackGirlMagic partnership with Spotify and the launch of the #CelebrateBlackCreatives program, which reached more than 19 million followers.[21] In February 2020, many American corporations commemorated Black History Month, including The Coca-Cola Company, Google, Target Corporation, Macy’s, United Parcel Service and Under Armour.[22]
Moving forward: Whose Shoulders Are We Standing On?
This section delves spotlighting key figures like Congressman Parren Mitchell, Calvin J. Mitchell Jr., Dr. Joan Parrott-Fonseca, and Andrew Young. Each individual’s contribution to government contracting and public service is portrayed as an embodiment of the ongoing legacy of the shoulder that we stand on.
Congressman Parren Mitchell
In 1950, Parren Mitchell applied to graduate school at the University of Maryland, the President of the College Park campus rebuffed him by saying it was “inadvisable for Blacks to attend the College Park campus.” Mitchell and the NAACP sued for admission and prevailed becoming the first African American to receive a post graduate degree from the main campus of the University of Maryland. He was a champion of civil rights and led local activists during the civil rights era. Today, the University of Maryland graduates more African Americans per year than any other state university system in the nation. This was the start of his long productive life in fighting for the underserved communities.
In 1968, Mitchell decided to run for Congress and challenged nine-term Democratic incumbent Samuel Friedel in the Democratic primary and lost. He sought a rematch in 1970, and this time he narrowly defeated Friedel by only 38 votes. He won the general election in November, becoming the first African American to represent the state of Maryland in Congress.
Mitchell was one of the 13 founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), playing a significant role in crafting the identity of the new organization. As of 2019, CBC has 55 members.
During his sixteen years in Congress, he served on multiple committees, among them, he was Chairman of the House Small Business Committee. Through this committee and as chair to the Congressional Black Caucus he won a reputation as a staunch supporter of black-owned businesses. In 1978, Public Law 95-507 created a pilot program for contracts to be set-aside to socially disadvantaged businesses, which Black-owned firms would fall under. Because of this, Mitchell has been called the father of the federal set-aside program, allowing ten percent of federal business contracts to be awarded to minority owned businesses.
It is this landmark legislation which paved the way for today’s 8(a) Program and every other small business program. “I worked very hard in Congress to get laws on the books to benefit minority business,” Mitchell told Sonny Goldreich in the Baltimore Business Journal. “Everywhere I speak, I say, ‘This is the second phase of the civil rights movement. We cannot expect to be full-fledged citizens until we fully participate in the economy.’”
Intersection of Black history and government contracting: A Brief History of the 8(a) Program
To fully appreciate the magnitude of Parren Mitchell’s impact in society, we’ll need to better understand the 8(a) Business Development Program. The 8(a) Program allows for minority business owners with control of 51% or more of a small business to obtain admission as a certified 8(a) company. Through this certification, 8(a) companies can win set-aside contracts which other non-8(a) companies are excluded from. The greatest benefit of the 8(a) certification is Sole Source Contracts (SSC). Sole Source Contracts are direct award projects to one company. There is no bidding or a competitive procurement process. It is awarded purely on the capabilities of the company and the trust from the contracting officer. Most importantly, SSC’s have a high ceiling of $4 million. A certified 8(a) company can receive a direct award up to $4 million without having to compete with any other companies.
From Parren Mitchell’s shoulder to the next generation of shoulders to stand on
Calvin J. Mitchell Jr.:
In 2021, Mitchell assumed the role of Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) at the U.S. Department of Education. With a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors, Mitchell has been instrumental in implementing small business procurement programs, ensuring opportunities for all socioeconomic categories. His leadership, spanning various government agencies, reflects a commitment to fostering inclusivity.
Dr. Joan Parrott-Fonseca:
Dr. Parrott-Fonseca’s comprehensive career in local, state, and federal government service, along with her roles in the private and non-profit sectors, exemplifies dedication. As the first woman to direct the Minority Business Development Agency, she initiated a strategy to include all women-owned businesses as clients. Her advocacy and leadership continue to empower women in the business arena.
Andrew Young:
Elected as the second African American Mayor of Atlanta in 1981, Andrew Young’s transformative tenure brought $70 billion in private investment, expanding programs for minority and female-owned businesses. His contributions extended beyond economics, with initiatives like the Dream Jamboree College Fair, showcasing a commitment to education. Young’s legacy as a civil rights activist and public servant solidifies Atlanta as a cultural epicenter for Black America.
The efforts of Congressman Mitchell, Dr. Fonseca, Andrew Young, Calvin Mitchell—lay the metaphorical shoulder with which to arch into the opportunities made available to propel forward generations in government contracting. What was accomplished, the shoulders, is the why for the Government Contractors Association. We are here to strengthen the next generation of shoulders to prepare the next and so on…
The shoulders of the Government Contractors Association:
OUR WHY: The small business community is greatly disadvantaged in the government contracting market. 99.7% of all US companies are defined as small sized by the SBA. Yet, only 22% of federal contracting dollars are awarded to these organizations. The disparities for women, minorities, veterans, and other such business owners are enormous. Our goal is to be an agent of change by helping companies to get their fair share of the opportunities in the government market.
Government Contractors Association, Inc. (GCA) is a national trade association comprised of commercial contractors (small & large companies) and government agencies (federal agencies, state agencies, local agencies, gov’t staff, universities, non-profits, etc.).
VISION: To create access. Our Vision is to open doors for commercial companies into the government market and to support government agencies in accessing qualified contractors.
MISSION: To educate, facilitate and advocate for our membership base by becoming the premier government contracting association with these three pillars:
Educate: We are a training institution with educational curriculum, resources and certification training. We provide the following resources:
- Certified Capture Manager (CCM™): Create industry standards by training certified professionals.
- Seminars & Training: Courses to equip our members.
- E-Learning and Webinars: Online and distance learning tools.
Facilitate: We will foster networking groups, alliance groups, teaming opportunities, joint venture formations, mentor protégé relationships, and contracting relationships between the private and public sectors. We will do this through social media, monthly meetings, annual conferences and networking functions.
Advocate: We will promote, inform and be a voice for supportive legislations to enhance and open doors for greater opportunities, transparencies, and accountability for our members.
What is next?
This is a nice informative article and if you are still reading, what do you do now? What is the call to action?
“If you believe in fighting racism, you make a commitment for the rest of your life. There’s no getting off that train. You can’t say I’ve put five years in fighting racism and now I’m finished. No, you are not finished. Our job is to fight it every day, to continue to shove it down and when it rises up to shove it down even harder.”
– Parren J. Mitchell, 1922 – 2007
1. Change of mindset that government contracting isn’t for Black people. That the government is some scary entity out to disfranchise the Black community
2. Take action by learning about what the government buys and how you can participate in that buying process. It is simple and free to understand. Go to USASpending.gov The official source of government spending data
3. Small Business Association: Really items 1 and 2 are easy and free. No heavy lifting. The work comes in by connecting with the Small Business Association in your area. The SBA offer many resources with most being free
4. Government Contractors Association. I would be remiss if I didn’t share that we offer countless classes, trainings, lunch and learns, proposal services and so much more to move you forward in your contracting endeavor.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the symbolic journey of standing on someone’s shoulders encapsulates the essence of Black History Month. By recognizing and honoring the past, individuals draw strength to carry the baton forward. Figures like Mitchell, Parrott-Fonseca, and Young serve as inspirational beacons, guiding future generations toward contributing to the ongoing narrative of Black excellence and resilience. As we reflect on Black History Month, it is a call to action for continued progress, acknowledging achievements, and addressing the work that remains ahead.