Governor Wes Moore recently announced that Nichelle Johnson, an IT professional who has devoted 20 years of her career to advancing diversity and equity, will serve as the state’s first Minority Business Enterprise ombudsman in the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs.
As ombudsman, Johnson will essentially be among the pivotal problem solvers – or mediators – at the state government level. Her new role consists of a broad range of responsibilities, from rectifying contractual matters between prime contractors and minority business enterprises, to developing policies and guidance to assist agencies in implementing program compliance, to overseeing data collection of documented nonperformance by prime contractors.
When Johnson learned that Moore’s office would be adding the ombudsman position, she was interested and filed an application. She believed in herself, and now she’s been working in the new role for about three weeks now.
Johnson lauded Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller for their efforts in striving to build an equitable, competitive state economy through initiatives, policies and legislation that prompts increased participation of minority-owned and women-owned small businesses.
“I’m very appreciative of Gov. Moore and his commitment to our small, minority and women-owned businesses,” said Johnson, a Baltimore City native. “It was really important to him that this role be filled and also to our special secretaries.”
Prior to being MBE ombudsman, Johnson was a compliance manager with the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs since 2019. According to a statement released by Moore’s office, Johnson has a 20-year record of helping entrepreneurs start and expand their businesses in the private sector, providing technical support and IT services as a prime contractor and subcontractor.
“I am grateful that Nichelle has raised her hand to serve Maryland in this new leadership position. Our entire administration is confident in her ability to advocate for our minority-owned businesses and help us grow a more equitable economy,” Moore said.
“As the first Minority Business Enterprise Ombudsman in Maryland history, Nichelle will work to forge stronger partnerships between our small businesses and state government. And in doing so, she will position us to win this decade.”
As ombudsman, Johnson will also ensure that the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs is represented and engaged in advising state personnel on program requirements and will participate in the state’s Senior Procurement Advisory Group, Minority Business Enterprise Advisory Committee and Procurement Improvement Council.
A part of Johnson’s job she is particularly excited about will be developing training programs for prime contractors and minority business enterprise subcontractors to help ensure final contract outcomes meet established MBE goals.
In fact, Johnson started her own company based in Baltimore, Johnson Technical Services LLC, and worked for a few years in that capacity.
She has always been an advocate of advancing the mission of offering resources to the region’s small, minority and women business owners. Her abundant experience in business development, private sector engagement and IT services prepared her for her current role.
“I feel like all of it had a part that plays into what I do with our business owners now. I feel like it gave me a lot of the information,” Johnson told The Baltimore Times.
“Me going through those processes myself, like getting business development help from organizations like Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore and going through some of the other training, like at the SBDC (Small Business Development Center)… prepared me to be able to know the assistance and resources that companies have available.”
A graduate of Lake Clifton High School in East Baltimore, Johnson began college at Morgan State University before transferring to the University of Maryland Global Campus where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Johnson holds a graduate certificate in leadership and management.
As part of the Moore-Miller Administration’s endeavor to close the racial wealth gap and expand opportunities for the state’s minority business owners, Moore signed an executive order to promote data reporting and compliance on state agency performance in February 2023.
Increasing the state government’s performance toward reaching its 29 percent Minority Business Enterprise program participation goal coincides with the above-mentioned goals.
Johnson, as a Black woman, is elated to join Gov. Moore and state leaders in providing opportunities that drive a more equitable business community in Maryland.
“I feel that not only in my role, but you can see it across the entire cabinet that the governor… definitely wants there to be diversity,” Johnson said.
“I think that he does see the value in diversity, and that includes not only minorities but women. So, putting women and minorities in roles of leadership is an amazing way to show that.”