Minority Business Development Center Chicago Receives One Year Grant to Expand to St. Louis

Jan. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has announced that it will expand its offices into St. Louis. The Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council (MSDC) has received a one-year grant to expand its MBDA Business Center into St. Louis. The new location will be housed within the St. Louis MSDC offices and overseen by Charles Henson.

The agency is tasked with assisting minority entrepreneurs and business owners with consulting services, contract and financing opportunities, bonding services, building business-to-business alliances and executive training.

“I am excited to serve as the business development manager at the new St. Louis location,” said Henson. This business center will give the St. Louis business community access to opportunities in the national and international marketplace.”

Henson graduated Washington University with a degree in architecture. More recently, he served as the Midwest Regional Account Manager for Global Learning Partners, a training solutions organization in California. He is a community leader and founding member of PROUD (People Reaching Out for Unity and Diversity.) Henson was the first African American selected “Citizen of the Year” for the City of Ferguson in 2006 and named amongst the “Who’s Who in Black St. Louis” in 2007 and 2008.

“Mr. Henson is a great addition to the St. Louis office,” said James Webb, President & CEO of the St. Louis Minority Supplier Development Council. “He brings a very impressive background in business and strong ideas on how to make the development agency even stronger.”

Louis Ortiz also joins the business center as a consultant. He has worked with the St. Louis MSDC for several years.

Associations seeking financing or requiring assistance with certification and procurement opportunities can contact Charles Henson at 314-241-1143 for more information.