Our Story
The Multicultural Business Association is a local non-profit organization that was established to promote economic development, business opportunities, and employment through advocacy, capacity building, and networking for MBE/WBE/DBE/Vets/Disabled and emerging local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Our History
The multicultural Business Association is a local non-profit organization that was established to promote economic development, business opportunities, and employment through advocacy, capacity building, and networking for multicultural business owners and professionals. We further seek to empower and encourage entrepreneurs to obtain certification as MBE/WBE/DBE/Vets/disabled businesses. These certifications are there to promote growth through local, state, and federal contracting.
The founders of the organization are local community leaders, entrepreneurs, and business professionals. Wes Pratt, Dr. Lyle Foster, and John Oke Thomas saw a need and worked to create an organization that would work to assist our community in improving those areas. With over 10 years of service to the Springfield Community. MBA will continue to grow and evolve to address the changing needs of our multicultural community members. Our ultimate goal is to continue our work and aid in creating a richly diverse and equitable entrepreneurial and business community.
Our Mission
To promote economic development and business opportunities through advocacy, networking, and capacity building for women, minority-owned businesses, and entrepreneurs.
Advocacy
We advocate for minority-owned businesses through our ongoing conversations and alliance with our local public entities and local minority-owned businesses. Our goal is to explore, adopt and maintain a uniform model of measurable best practices with our local public entities and corporate partners that will promote an environment for minority businesses to start, grow and thrive.
Capacity Building
We build capacity by offering our members technical assistance and a variety of business and wealth-building educational opportunities in collaboration with our local and regional business resource partners. Our goal is to increase the number of minority-owned businesses in the Springfield, Missouri area that are able to successfully compete for government-funded procurement/contracts as a certified DBE, MBE, or WBE.
Networking
We provide networking opportunities through our monthly MIB Networking Events, our Community Welcome Receptions as well as our Annual Heritage Awards Banquet. Our goal is to create and support diverse professional social networks designed to create engagement and a sense of connection in the Springfield area.
Contact Us
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1368
Springfield, MO 65801
The eFactory (Robert Plaster Free Enterprise Center)
405 N. Jefferson Ave
Springfield, MO 65806
Tel: 417-837-2631
Email:mbasgf@gmail.com