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“Put your head down, work hard, and tune out the noise”. 

This was a motto shared by Michael Garner that he uses when things get tough. Garner was the keynote speaker at the inaugural Colorado Construction Diversity Summit,  where he discussed powerful initiatives he developed at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) as their Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Under Garner’s leadership, MTA has awarded over $10 billion to minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBEs) and businesses owned by service-disabled veterans1. During his talk, Garner emphasized the importance of providing MWDBEs prime contractor, versus subcontractor, opportunities. He did this by creating smaller contracts that MWDBEs could be successful at winning.  In conjunction, he developed the MTA’s Small Business Mentoring Program to further break barriers for MWBDEs and service-disabled veterans in New York1. Garner has overcome many roadblocks, even helping to change a state Finance Law to allow for further small business support using classroom and on-the-job training2.  One takeaway to consider is pushing forward efforts that remove barriers and support additional opportunities, following Michael’s lead with MWDBE contracts. 

Check out the attached image from the summit – thanks to all who attended!

References

1. Michael Garner. MTA. https://new.mta.info/people/michael-garner. Accessed April 21, 2022. 

2. ICYMI: MTA chief diversity officer Michael Garner op-ed in streetsblog NYC: 'at the MTA, we take minority- and women-owned businesses seriously'. MTA. https://new.mta-hq.info/ICYMI-MTA-Chief-Diversity-Officer-Michael-Garner-Op-Ed-in-Streetsblog-NYC-At-the-MTA-We-Take-Minority-and-Women-Owned-Businesses-Seriously. Accessed April 21, 2022. 

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