WASHINGTON — Republican Policy makers are often criticized for not understanding or supporting policies that reflect all of America particularly our Urban Centers.
That changed when a bipartisan group of over 55 black CEO’s/C-suite executives came to Washington DC, Wednesday, July 8th to participate in The Committee of 40’s Black CEO/C-Suite Summit with Republican Congressional Leaders.
The founding advisory board members also met on February 12th 2015 with House Majority Leader, Kevin McCarthy. William Pickard, former Vice Chair of the Michigan Republican Party, CEO of the Automotive Group and CJ Jordan, founder of The Committee of 40, GOP strategist, convened the Fly-In. The event was titled “An Opportunity Agenda Towards Economic and Sustainable Growth in Urban Centers”
“Republican Policy makers, have been the leaders in parental choice ineducation and as President Nixon stated Black Power is Black Business, saidDr. Pickard.”
Successful CEO’s and Black Enterprise Top 100 executive’s; Dr. WilliamPickard, Automotive Group, LLC (MI); Robert L. Wright, Sentel (Fla.) and Steve Hightower, Hightower Petroleum, LLC (Ohio) opened the summit and provided tips along with business advice on how to survive and run a successful business.
Executives had the opportunity to hear from House Majority Leader, KevinMcCarthy (Calif.) and House Republican Conference Chair, Cathy McMorris-Rogers (Wash.) who listened to the concerns of the executives and shared their vision for America.
Congressional leaders such as, Rep. Steve Stivers (Ohio); Rep. Bob Dold (Ill.);Rep. Carlos Cuebelo (Fla.); Rep. Jim Bridenstine (Okla.); Rep. Bradley Byrne (Ala.) listened and discussed topics such as, HUB Zones, Community Banks, SBA Lending, HBCU’s, Pell Grants for ex-offenders, innovative workforce development programs and legacy wealth creation.
Governor Pat McCrory’s (N.C.) sent representatives who shared, his progressand spoke about how the Governor, was engaging and providing opportunitiesin North Carolina’s urban centers from paid internships for HBCU students,connecting prime contractors with qualified black and small business owners.
Ohio’s Governor John Kasich, via a statement shared his support for black and Minority owned business. Ohio business owners in attendance commented on how Kasich’ has supported black businesses more than any other Ohio Governor. Mr. Don King, CEO of King Enterprises via a statement said: “These are very important times for America and I applaud each of you for bringing this summit to the Nation Capitol. I have always believed in America and it’s inclusiveness and it is my hope that out of this summit meaningful legislation is enacted to level the playing field that would allow for black CEO’s to employ and empower, Only in America can such promise be fulfilled.”
The bi-partisan group of executives, left the summit focused on shared ideas, that would improve economic opportunities and bring jobs to urban centers and committed to work with republican policy makers on outcomes from the summit. The Black CEO/C-Suite summit is the first in a series of events that will connect Republican policy makers and the urban center. The Committee of 40 will be working closely with Republican House Leadership to address concerns and enact legislative reforms for a comprehensive “Opportunity Agenda Towards Economic and Sustainable Growth in Urban Centers” Follow The Committee of 40 on Twitter @therealcommof40