It is funded by more than 250 major corporations to foster links between private purchasers and minority suppliers. With increased spending has come increased respect. Last month nine of General Motors' 620 minority suppliers were honored as Suppliers of the Year by the company's worldwide-purchasing organization. Not long ago, it was doubtful that there were sufficient minority businesses muscular enough to supply huge corporate inventories. But corporate downsizing in the late 1980s provided the seedbed for a wave of savvy, well-connected minority entrepreneurs.
Most experts anticipate a continuing trend of rapid minority-business formation.
There is also a thriving new sector of minority middlemen who are helping that process along. Seeking to promote stronger name recognition and impressed by the firm's reputation in fostering corporate ties between African-American, Asian and Caribbean communities on the one hand and corporate giants such as Chase Bank and Avis on the other, Active sought out Ottley. The development company gave the Active deal media attention by arranging a signing ceremony in New York City. Firms like mine have to have the confidence of the community and the acceptance of corporate America. Ottley's continuing challenge is no different from that of any entrepreneur in a highly competitive marketplace.