{"id":8887,"date":"2018-05-02T21:10:35","date_gmt":"2018-05-02T21:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/?p=8887"},"modified":"2021-07-15T16:10:17","modified_gmt":"2021-07-15T20:10:17","slug":"learning-about-supplier-diversity-from-orange-county-public-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/learning-about-supplier-diversity-from-orange-county-public-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning ABOUT SUPPLIER DIVERSITY: From Orange County Public Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div>\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"8887\" class=\"elementor elementor-8887\" data-elementor-settings=\"[]\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4685022 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4685022\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7e498112\" data-id=\"7e498112\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ac0a0bc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4ac0a0bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Learning ABOUT SUPPLIER DIVERSITY: From Orange County Public Schools<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f0b6ac0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"3f0b6ac0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-7f8ad8c elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"author\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/author\/kyle-hardener\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-user-circle\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-author\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKyle Hardener\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-d370811 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/2018\/05\/02\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-calendar\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMay 2, 2018\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-7b74f5f9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7b74f5f9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c1a8a2d\" data-id=\"c1a8a2d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c6a856 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c6a856\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">For minority-owned businesses, there is no better time than the present. According to the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council (NMSDC), which certifies Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) in the U.S., MBEs (defined as businesses with at least 51 percent ownership by Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic or Native American U.S. citizens) employ 2.25 million people directly and indirectly, and have a total economic impact of $400 billion.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">In addition, there are 11.6 million women-owned businesses nationwide, employing nearly 9 million people and generating more than $1.7 trillion in revenue, according to the seventh annual State of Women-Owned Business Report. And 2.52 million businesses nationwide are majority-owned by veterans, with total annual revenues of $1.14 trillion, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA).<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">As the number of minority, women and veteran-owned businesses skyrockets, companies of all sizes \u2013 including Fortune 500 firms, privately-held enterprises, not-for-profits and public\/government agencies \u2013 are actively seeking ways to include MBEs in their procurement processes. It\u2019s an approach called supplier diversity, and it\u2019s providing MBEs with tremendous opportunity and promise.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">Formal supplier diversity programs help businesses of all sizes obtain new products, services and solutions, create strong partnerships, promote innovation, provide economic opportunities to small businesses, drive affordability, and help to strengthen and advance a community\u2019s economic base.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p4\"><b>Supplier Diversity in Central Florida Schools<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">Companies and organizations throughout Central Florida have begun to embrace supplier diversity. One such sector where it\u2019s happening is in K-12 education.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">The Volusia County Public Schools (VCPS), for example, maintains a database of approximately 1,500 active vendors. While that database doesn\u2019t capture socio-economic-specific information, VCPS vows to be transparent, fair and equitable to all who conduct business with the district. The district\u2019s procurement website includes opportunities for businesses to register as a supplier.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), meanwhile, takes a visible and vigorous approach to supplier diversity. Within their procurement services department, OCPS features an Office of Business Opportunity, with staff dedicated to maintaining and enhancing supplier diversity.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">OCPS is the fourth-largest school district in Florida (and the ninth largest in the nation), with more than 207,000 students at 180 schools. Its supplier database includes nearly 1,850 registered women, minority and veteran-owned businesses. In fiscal year 2017, the district\u2019s total spend (both in direct purchase orders with MBEs and subcontracting with diverse suppliers) was approximately $155 million. The district\u2019s commitment to supplier diversity has earned it numerous awards, including the 2017 Local Corporation of the Year honor from the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC).<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">\u201cOur students and families are very diverse, and we believe it\u2019s good business practice to do business with companies that represent our customer base,\u201d said Joycelyn Henson, senior administrator in OCPS\u2019 Office of Business Opportunity. \u201cAlso, spending money with small local businesses drives business back into the homes of the children and families in the areas we serve.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">Like many districts, OCPS has a myriad of procurement needs. They partner with vendors on everything from day-to-day supplies (pencils, paper, toiletries) to professional services (legal, insurance) to large-scale construction projects (engineers, architects).<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">To infuse diversity into its procurement process, Henson takes a two-pronged approach. \u201cInternally, we educate our teachers and school personnel about our supplier diversity program,\u201d Henson said. \u201cWe encourage them to recommend any minority owned businesses that may want to participate in our procurement process.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">She added, \u201cIn the community, I meet one-on-one with diverse business owners to determine specifically where the business ownership markets their products and services \u2013 who\u2019s the buyer, where do we buy it, will we be procuring it again.\u201d Henson also serves as an active participant in OCPS\u2019s vendor selection process.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p4\"><b>Making a Commitment to Mentorship<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">To educate and mentor small and minority-owned businesses, OCPS hosts \u201cHow to Do Business\u201d sessions on the last Friday of every month. These networking events allow local business people to meet with OCPS leadership, meet some of the district\u2019s buyers, ask questions about the procurement process, and teach them how to compete and market themselves to the district. \u201cWe\u2019ve been hosting these sessions for two years, and we average 10-to-12 participants each month,\u201d Henson said.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">For OCPS, one of the greatest benefits of maintaining a robust supplier diversity program is community involvement. \u201cWhen we form relationships with other organizations that support small businesses, such as the chamber, FSMDSC, WBENC (Women\u2019s Business Enterprise National Council), it opens up dialogue,\u201d Henson said. \u201cThey are seeking business opportunities. And we\u2019re encouraging them to become partners in education. So, the company makes a commitment to the school, the school makes a commitment to the company, and we work together to support public education.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">Henson points to two local minority-owned vendors who have become both business and educational partners. One, a printing company, has evolved from providing small printing needs for the district to providing large signs and banners for OCPS football games and other athletic events. \u201cOther parents got to know him through the school\u2019s programs, and they became his customers,\u201d Henson said.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">Another is a construction business that partnered with OCPS in its infancy. It has since grown to become one of the Orlando area\u2019s 50 fastest growing companies, as ranked by the Orlando Business Journal, and won a 2017 FSMSDC MBE Supplier of the Year award.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p4\"><b>How to Compete for Business<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">While it may seem daunting, becoming a supplier for any corporation is within reach for many MBEs. Some tips to\r\nget started:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Get certified<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Entities such as the NMSDC and WBENC certify minority and women-owned businesses. Such certification will send a message to buyers that your business is ready to compete. It also will allow your business to enjoy member benefits from such groups, including numerous professional development, mentoring and networking opportunities.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Learn the process <\/b><\/span>\u2013 When it comes to procurement, every company has its own method of doing business. Learn them. Many companies with formal supplier diversity programs \u2013 and some without \u2013 will list their procurement processes on their website. Most will ask a business to register (For example, both VCS and OCPS use an online tool \u2013 VendorLink \u2013 that allows visitors to register and alerts them to potential opportunities.).<\/p>\r\n<span class=\"s1\"><b>Get involved<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Companies enjoy connecting with businesses of all types, because having more potential vendors gives procurement departments the opportunity to drive efficiency. Attend networking events. Get to know the organization or company you wish to do business with. Ask questions. Most companies will be happy\r\nto help.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1f86800c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1f86800c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9c67c99\" data-id=\"9c67c99\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7461f2fc elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"7461f2fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2220ee15 elementor-author-box--image-valign-middle elementor-author-box--avatar-yes elementor-author-box--name-yes elementor-author-box--biography-yes elementor-author-box--link-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"2220ee15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0badafdd32348bc6612dfce253028cd7?s=300&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\" alt=\"Kyle Hardener\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKyle Hardener\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__bio\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tKyle Hardner is a freelance writer, editor and business-to-business content specialist located in Port Orange. His background includes managing and leading communications for a major health care system in Pennsylvania. He\u2019s also well-versed in insurance, technology, logistics and all things business. His website: http:\/\/hardnercommunications.com\/.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6a9ffd2\" data-id=\"6a9ffd2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a28ded9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-sidebar\" data-id=\"6a28ded9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"sidebar.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div><broadstreet-zone place=\"\" zone-id=\"149355\" keywords=\"\" soft-keywords=\"true\" zone-alias=\"\"><\/broadstreet-zone><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-707cb11a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"707cb11a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-413ac777\" data-id=\"413ac777\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87ed646 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"87ed646\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72831734 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"72831734\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">More from  this Issue<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62d2b1b4 elementor-grid-3 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"62d2b1b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-8877 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-diversity-equity-and-inclusion category-education-and-workforce category-gdr category-gdrmay2018 category-leadership tag-terri-quinton\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/why-diversity-matters-but-inclusion-matters-more\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tWhy Diversity Matters But Inclusion Matters More\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-8882 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-diversity-equity-and-inclusion category-education-and-workforce category-gdr category-gdrmay2018 tag-sonia-thompson\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/black-panther-wonder-woman-what-makes-them-similar-and-how-it-impacts-your-business\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\u2018Black Panther\u2019 &#038; \u2018Wonder Woman\u2019: What makes them similar and how it impacts your business\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-8887 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-diversity-equity-and-inclusion category-education-and-workforce category-gdr category-gdrmay2018 category-leadership tag-kyle-hardner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/learning-about-supplier-diversity-from-orange-county-public-schools\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tLearning ABOUT SUPPLIER DIVERSITY: From Orange County Public Schools\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-8891 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-diversity-equity-and-inclusion category-gdr category-gdrmay2018 tag-lisa-habermehl\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/how-rich-is-your-diversity\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tHow Rich is Your Diversity\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e43a45c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e43a45c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7eb58af\" data-id=\"7eb58af\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77e5c80c elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"77e5c80c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For minority-owned businesses, there is no better time than the present. According to the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council (NMSDC), which certifies Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) in the U.S., MBEs (defined as businesses with at least 51 percent ownership by Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic or Native American U.S. citizens) employ 2.25 million people directly and indirectly, and have a total economic impact of $400 billion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":388,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[184,186,209,51,192],"tags":[120],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8887"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/388"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8887"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8887\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evolve-success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}