Contact: Phil Hearn
Mississippi State University senior software engineering major Terry L. Dickerson of Magnolia previews a searchable computer database of minority-owned businesses he and another MSU student are designing for implementation later this year. The database is a joint project of MSU, the Jackson-based Mississippi Minority Business Alliance and the Minority Business Enterprise Division of the Mississippi Development Authority.
Mississippi State University has entered into a partnership with state government and a non-profit corporation to create a searchable computer database of minority-owned businesses.
Designed by two MSU student engineering majors as an intern project this summer, the database is expected to be up and running by the end of the year under direction of the Jackson-based Mississippi Minority Business Alliance, MSU and the Minority Business Enterprise Division of the Mississippi Development Authority.
MMBA executive director Geilia Taylor-Henry said the minority directory will be linked to the non-profit corporation's Web site. She predicted it will provide a reliable resource for businesses and citizens who are seeking credible information about products and services available from minority businesses.
"We are very, very excited about this," added MMBA board chair DeJonnette Grantham-King, noting MSU is the first university to take a leadership role in the project.
Melvin Ray, special assistant to MSU President Charles Lee, said an up-to-date minority business database could have a far-reaching impact in promoting state economic development, which would be in line with one of the university's chief missions.
"The backbone of this partnership is working with students to promote minority businesses and create jobs," Ray said at a campus news conference Thursday morning.
Terry L. Dickerson, a senior software engineering major from Magnolia, is designing the database along with Anthony M. McDowell, a computer science and engineering major from Biloxi. Dickerson provided an overview of the project, which is in the design and data-collecting stage of development at this time.
"This is something that will be beneficial to people who are looking to locate minority businesses in Mississippi," said Taylor-Henry.
Ray said that although a minority business directory initially was established in the state a dozen years ago, it was not maintained and soon became out of date. He said the latest effort arose from a conversation he had with the late Jackson businessman John Lee, owner of Mississippi Products, about three years ago.
MMBA has a primary mission of enhancing business opportunities for minority-owned companies through mutually beneficial economic links between minority suppliers and public and private sectors. Corporations are introduced to an often-untapped source of capable, qualified suppliers, while minority businesses have a chance to compete for a share of available business.
For more information, contact Geilia Taylor-Henry at (601) 965-0365 or mmbajackson@hotmail.com; or at MSU, Dr. Melvin Ray, at (662) 325-3222.