NYC Bloomberg Administration Honors National Minority Business Council

July 14, 2011 - PRLog -- July 14, 2011, New York -- John F. Robinson who was a partner in a minority management consulting firm in Jamaica, Queens when he was tapped to help organize an advocacy organization for minority-owned businesses.  In 1972, the National Minority Business Council (www.nmbc.org) was founded and by 1979, Robinson was appointed president & CEO.  Tuesday night, he and the organization that he has shepherded for nearly four decades were honored by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the City’s Department of Small Business Services as a recipient of the 2011 Neighborhood Achievement Award for Minority and Women-owned Enterprise Advocacy.
   “John and NMBC have helped organizations like mine cut through red tape and make sure that our voices are heard in the halls of government, on Main Street and Wall Street,” said Ben Jones, founder and president of Lightning Supplies Inc., Teaneck, NJ, and Chairman of the NMBC Board of Directors.  “I know how challenging the work done by John and his staff can be.  But the rewards, such as this one from the Mayor’s office, are cherished reminders that NMBC continues to serve a purpose with worthy goals.”
   Since its founding, NMBC has expanded its focus without losing sight of its original charter which is “to enhance the success and profitability of the small business community” with a particular focus on minorities. Over the years, NMBC has also become an advocate for women and minority-owned business enterprises (MWBE) and, more recently, Veteran-owned businesses.  It has also become visible and vocal in speaking out on local, state and Federal government policies that will impact its members of which there are approximately 350, mostly located in the Metropolitan New York and Tri-state region.
   “I am very humbled to receive this award and I accept it on behalf of my entire staff, my Board of Directors, and NMBC’s many volunteer members, as well as my very supportive family,” said Robinson.  “Commissioner Walsh and the department of Small Business Services have been most responsive to our needs, our concerns and requests to get at least a fair share and fair shake with New York City Government.  That is all that we seek: a level playing field that encourages all men and women with an entrepreneurial spirit to realize their dreams.  I am proud that we have been a help to so many of these individuals and their organizations for nearly 40-years.”
   NMBC also has a presence in international commerce and in September, it will lead a delegation of small business owners to China for a ten-day visit of business networking with companies from around the world.  For more information about how to participate, call NMBC headquarters at 212-693-5050.

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The National Minority Business Council, Inc. (NMBC), a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation, was founded in December 1972. The primary purpose of the organization is to enhance the success and profitability of the small business community through the provision of high-quality services, programs, advocacy and networking support. The secondary purpose is to act as an information clearinghouse for the women- and minority-owned business enterprise (MWBE) community.