I can't believe it! 25 years and still standing! No, we're not talking about me. I am long past age 25. Everybody knows that. So, what do I want to tell our readers about the 25-year history of MBE magazine? Everything we've written, all over again. Obviously that's not possible. So let's begin at the beginning, in 1984. Some of this you may have heard before...but then, maybe not.After losing a job in November, 1983, I considered going back to college to get a master's degree. But with a bachelor's in theatre and English, I wasn't qualified to get into business school. Next step. What did I know how to do? My experience was limited to the stage and to publishing. And I knew how to do research. There were no other magazines about supplier diversity (then primarily compliance-driven contracts which had government mandates or goals) at that time. After establishing myself as a sole-proprietor in May, 1984, we put out the first issue - September/October 1984.
Then began a series of events that those of you who are entrepreneurs will understand. It takes money (sales) to keep the business going. But I want to talk about the things that keep us going.
Our first cover story was about Comer Cottrell, president of Pro-Line Corporation. Upon receiving a copy of the magazine, he wrote a personal note about how difficult it is to start a business and said he knew I could probably use some help. He enclosed a check for $500.00. I had never met the man.
There was the time I attended a trade fair in Washington, D.C., during the Congressional Black Caucus. As I approached a corporate "suit" behind the table in an exhibit booth, he looked at me and said, "Why are you, a white woman...hmm...what color are you?" Did he think that white people didn't really care? Many didn't, but I did. (Click here to read the complete article.)
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