Join us for one of our Minority-Owned Business Roundtable Series geared towards Meaningful Access & Upward Mobility for All. This is an opportunity to meet with business leaders and community at large in an environment that fosters learning, networking and information exchange related to your business growth and workforce development.
About the Series
In the U.S., minority business enterprises (MBEs) contribute substantially to the economy. Minority firms are growing at a faster rate than non-minority firms and the minority-owned business sector plays a critical role in reducing the unemployment rate nationally. Language and cultural barriers, technology gaps, and the lack of existing credit lines make it challenging for minority entrepreneurs to get the help and funds they need to keep their doors open and staff on payroll– and the situation is only getting worse.
Job creation, innovation, economic parity, and productivity in the country will suffer as a result of the loss of MBEs. As a result, Commonwealth Corporation and our local partners are dedicated to aggressively address the constraints in place to ensure the short-term survival and long-term success of MBEs.
We will be hosting a dynamic speaker followed by an interactive roundtable, where we will be discussing how to create meaningful access for minorities to state funding, what barriers are in place and which programs are available to overcome these barriers and promote impact and success.
This event will also have a component of networking and referrals with local partners that cater to Minority-Owned Businesses. There is no cost to attend this event.
Meet the Speakers
Khady Mascarenhas
Business Assistance Program Manager, Brockton Redevelopment Authority
Khady Mascarenhas is the Business Assistance Program Manager for Brockton Redevelopment Authority, a quasi-public agency in the City of Brockton whose primary mission is community development and economic revitalization, specifically for the benefit of low- and moderate-income households. Her mission with this program is to strengthen Brockton’s small business resiliency and build a stronger and more sustainable business enterprise. Her educational and professional experiences have always been linked and informed by the importance of understanding the significance of leading a healthy financial life that involves a holistic approach, empowering communities with the knowledge and tools to make better decisions and envision a better future. Prior to joining BRA, Khady worked in the Banking and Finance Industry for six years, leading teams and community initiatives at Bank of America and Berkshire Bank.
Khady is an enthusiastic advocate for women and minorities. She is fluent in Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, and Spanish and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Lesley University and the University of Porto – Faculty of Economics.
Eval Silvera
Co-Owner, Brockton Beer Company & Founder, KodeConnect Inc
Co-Owner of the Brockton Beer Company, Eval Silvera is a technology and beer enthusiast. He is also a ScrumMaster for Liberty Mutual Insurance and the founder of KodeConnect Inc.
As co-owner of Brockton Beer, launched in the fall of 2021, Silvera manages the front of the house at 121 Main Street, Brockton, side by side with his wife, Latisha. Brockton Beer Company, the city’s first Brewpub, was started by five families that happened to meet by chance in a city that puts diversity and community at the core of its foundation.
As founder and creator of KodeConnect, Eval is providing STEAM opportunities for youth in Brockton. He started KodeConnect to bridge the gap by exposing younger kids to STEM-related programs that they’ve rarely seen. He believes that building the interest in kids early will ensure they remain engaged with computer science as they progress in their education.
Eval seats on the board of trustees of Massasoit Community College.
Algeria Marsh
Diverse and Small Business Recruitment, Growth, and Retention Coordinator for Massachusetts’ Supplier Diversity Office (SDO)
Algeria started her career in public service with the Commonwealth more than 20 years ago, working at SOMBWA (State Office of Minority and Woman Business Assistance). In 2013, Algeria became the SDO’s Program Coordinator, working closely with certified vendors and developing the initial third-party certification application process to include veteran-owned businesses.
Algeria has taken on many roles within the SDO, such as Certification Renewal Specialist and Third-Party Certification Liaison. Today, Algeria conducts outreach initiatives to invite diverse and small businesses to bid on government contracts. She also works to create connections and partnerships between these businesses and private organizations, state agencies, and municipalities. Throughout her career, Algeria’s goal has been to identify and help remove barriers that businesses are facing in today’s economy.
Algeria is passionate about delivering the SDO’s mission of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in state contracting for businesses owned by minorities, women, Portuguese, veterans, service-disabled veterans, those with a disability, and LGBT individuals, as well as small Massachusetts businesses.
Tracye Whitfield
City Councilor, City of Springfield, Massachusetts & Executive Director, Coalition for an Equitable Economy
Tracye Whitfield is the first Executive Director for the Coalition for an Equitable Economy (CEE). In this role she will support and assist the coalition in building an equitable small business ecosystem that centers entrepreneurs of color and positions them to contribute to the Massachusetts economy at their full potential.
Prior to this role, she was appointed by Mayor Reichelt, West Springfield MA Mayor, as the first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator for the Town of West Springfield, Ma. In this role, Tracye started the foundation of a Diversity Equity and Inclusion department that promotes a diverse and inclusive environment that is free from discrimination, and workplace harassment for all employees and residents, with a focus on promoting racially equitable recruitment, hiring and promotion of all employees.
Meet our Partners
Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, Inc.
BECMA’s mission is to advance the economic well-being of Black business, organizations, and residents in Massachusetts through advocacy, business and leadership development, and strategic partnerships. Their membership community includes Black students and professionals, Black-owned businesses, and ally organizations such as non-profits, corporations, foundations, hospitals, universities, venture capital firms, insurance companies, and government agencies.
Greater Brockton Workforce Board
Whether you are looking for a job, making a career change, increasing your earning potential, or seeking a top quality job applicant, GBWB has the resources you need to be successful. Serving the greater Brockton area, they give job seekers the tools to find the right job, list available job openings and the skills they require, and work closely with employers to match prospective employees with available job openings.
Supplier Diversity Office (SDO)
The SDO’s mission is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in state contracting for businesses owned by minorities, women, Portuguese, veterans, service-disabled veterans, those with a disability, and LGBT individuals, as well as small Massachusetts businesses. The SDO certifies these businesses and manages several programs that help them enhance their marketability when bidding on public contracts.
Brockton Community Access
Brockton Community Access is the connection to the city of Brockton. They are here to support the public’s creation of original content and broadcasting it to the local community. BCA supports and encourages diversity and freedom of expression by Brockton citizens on public, education, and government access TV channels through the provision of training, equipment access, and cablecasting.
Black Owned Brockton
Black Owned Brockton is an impactful Community Movement, emphasizing transparency in everything they do, setting bold goals and pursuing a clear strategy that seeks to move the needle. They are constantly growing and adapting to the changes of society, and invite you to learn more about how you can make an impact.
Metro South Chamber
The Metro South Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business association based in the City of Brockton, Massachusetts. The Metro South Chamber of Commerce supports and promotes the local business community through leadership in public advocacy, education, networking, information, and community development.
The Chamber serves thousands of people in the business community from all industries in Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Dighton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Holbrook, Kingston, Norwell, Randolph, Rockland, Sharon, Stoughton, West Bridgewater, and Whitman.
Greater Brockton Minority Business Association
Launched in 2022, the Greater Brockton Minority Business Association (GBMBA) is the result of a collaboration between several organizations that are part of the Community Navigator Pilot Program initiated by the Biden-Harris Administration through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The GBMBA was born at a crucial moment following more than two years of economic stagnation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a crisis that has brought many small businesses to the brink of financial bankruptcy.
Brockton Redevelopment Authority
Brockton Redevelopment Authority (BRA) is a quasi-public agency contracted by the City of Brockton, whose main mission is community development and economic revitalization, specifically for the benefit of low- and moderate-income households and areas of Brockton.
The BRA works with the Mayor, the Planning Department, and other city departments to develop and achieve a strategic development vision. The BRA also works in partnership with other organizations like the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, Brockton Housing Authority, public services, private businesses, and developers to further the strategic development vision.
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