Despite owning 42% of all businesses in the U.S., women entrepreneurs still face formidable challenges when starting and growing their business. Particularly striking is the glaring gap when it comes to women business owners securing government contracts.
As the largest buyer of goods and services across the country, the federal government commits 10% of its spending on contracts with 23% of that total going to small businesses. Although the government set a 5% goal to purchase from certified women-owned businesses, that target was only met twice – in 2015 and 2019 – over a span of 30 years.
To ensure women in the healthcare industry gain equal access to government contracts, Health LeadHER, the first Global Health Disparities Innovation Hub and Health Business & Career Accelerator, has partnered with Black Door Society (BDS), a membership organization for business women of color, to host the Diaspora Women in Health Global Business Conference, February 22-24, 2024 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.
“We initiated this effort because we realized so many multicultural business owners, particularly in healthcare, are lacking opportunities,” said Ogo Ekwueme, a U.S delegate for global health innovation, government health contracts strategist, health systems engineer and founder of Health LeadHer. “We aim to bring business owners and government leaders together to collaborate and transform the health of our communities both locally and globally – and allow businesses to build wealth while doing so.”
Photo courtesy of Health LeadHER
According to Sharrarne Morton, first founder and president of BDS, “This conference will provide invaluable insights into government contracting and empower women, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to take the lead in shaping local and global health solutions. Our goal is to be transformative, bridge health disparities and foster generational wealth.”
At the Diaspora Women in Health Global Business Conference, attendees will hear directly from government leaders about upcoming community health priorities and new contracting opportunities in 2024; attend workshops on important health-related topics; and gain essential tips for forming strategic partnerships that can lead to contracting opportunities. Attendees will also get a firsthand look at advanced software tools that simplify the process of pursuing contracts – making it achievable in less than a day.
“What is equally exciting is that we will offer over $10 million in health contracting opportunities to every conference attendee, including those new to government health contracting,” Ekwueme added. “Health LeadHER will prequalify opportunities to ensure they align with our attendees’ capabilities. And we will facilitate matchmaking to connect participants with potential partners.”
“This conference will be a game changer,” said Morton. “We’re going to put women entrepreneurs on an upward trajectory to legacy and wealth right then and there.”
To learn more and register for the conference, visit mwih.com.