Creating and expanding minority and women business opportunities through government and corporate diversity programs is critical to the growth and vitality of our economy. By leveling the playing field such programs yield a more competitive economic environment, strengthen communities and grant the access necessary for minority and women businesses to thrive.

CUP’s Approach

CUP works with government and corporate leaders to ensure that effective supplier procurement diversity programs are in place, implemented and monitored, and that woman and minority professionals and MWBEs are given opportunities to succeed. In its first three years, CUP has created opportunities for minority and women professionals and MWBEs to network with leaders in the public and private sectors, and increased the exchange of ideas to encourage development of new pipelines of opportunity.

Milestones

2007

• CUP published its own report on Minority Supplier Diversity in New York State, and brought CUP members to City Hall to discuss issues related to access to capital and opportunities for minority and women owned businesses with City Council member Christine Quinn.

2008

• CUP hosted a “Collective Project of Urban Revitalization” roundtable facilitated by former Mayor of New Orleans and current President of NYUL Marc Morial and featuring Mayor Douglas Palmer of Trenton, NJ, Mayor Byron Brown of Buffalo, NY, and former Mayor Sharon Brown of the District of Columbia.  Later that year, CUP hosted its Inaugural Wall Street Partners Dinner and published its Wall Street Partner Directory.  Finally, CUP hosted an Economic Policy Forum with speakers including Joseph Carson, Senior VP and Director of Global Economic Research at Alliance Bernstein LP, Joseph Lieber, VP and Senior Political Analyst of Washington Analysis Corp, and Council Member Valerie Brown (Moderator).

2009

• CUP hosted a “Public Sector Boards and Commissions” event, offering members the opportunity to hear Sharon Bowen of the NY Economic Development Committee, Commissioner Sidney Holmes of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Executive Director Andrea Shapiro Davis of the Mayor’s Committee on Appointments discuss the board/commission appointments process and the experience of sitting on a public sector board. CUP Distinguished Leaders Series hosted also hosted a conversation with NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and finally, CUP hosted its 2nd Annual Wall Street Partners Dinner featuring roundtable discussions with investment banking leaders from JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo.  Honorary Host Chairs for the dinner included Ray McGuire, Head of Global Banking, Citi; William M. Lewis Jr., Co-Chairman Investment Banking, Lazard; Adebayo Ogunlesi, Chairman & Managing Partner, Global Infrastructure Partners; Deborah C. Wright, Chairman & CEO, Carver Federal Savings Bank.

Partners in Access & Opportunity Efforts

• Governor Paterson’s Executive Order 10 Task Force
• New York State Minority Women Business Development (MWBD)
• National Association Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
• National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP)
• Association of Asian American Investment Managers (AAAIM)
• New America Alliance (NAA)
• Sponsors of Education Opportunity (SEO)
• The Robert Toigo Foundation (Toigo)
• Executive Leadership Council (ELC)
• Real Estate Executive Council (REEC)
• The Marathon Club
• Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA)
• Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY)