At least 1 million of the nation's 8 million minority-owned firms are based in Texas, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Ideally, this makes the already business-friendly state a leader for entrepreneurs with diverse backgrounds. Their enterprises employ almost 700,000 Texans and have contributed $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy as of 2016.
However, in the last decade, Bexar County has found disparities in the opportunities available to business owners of African, Asian, Hispanic and Native American descent – as well as women – when qualifying for loans or securing government contracts in the construction, goods or services industries.
What resources are available in the community and how can entrepreneurs on all levels get access?
How does San Antonio stand out from other cities in supporting small businesses and ventures led by women or people of color?
For more information, call 210-335-2478 or visit the Bexar County Small Business & Entrepreneurship Department website.
Guests:
- Renee Watson, director of the Bexar County Small Business & Entrepreneurship Department
- Joe Linson, board member of Bexar County’s Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (SMWBE) Program Advisory Committee and past chairman of the Alamo City Chamber of Commerce
- Orestes Hubbard, director of the Minority Business Development Agency Business Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio
- Johnny Hernandez, chef and restaurateur
This is a community conversation and we want to hear from you. Leave a voicemail with your questions and comments in advance by calling 210-615-8982. During the live show (12 - 1 p.m.), call 210-614-8980, email thesource@tpr.org or tweet at @TPRSource.
