NABWIC

NABWIC Talks with Katrina Conrad Workforce Diversity Project Manager, MPDC

With over twenty years of administration experience, Katrina Conrad has dedicated her career to fostering and uplifting the untapped potential of low-income and minority workers in Boston's diverse communities of color. Conrad currently serves as the Workforce Diversity Project Manager at Madison Park Development Corporation(MPDC), a highly respected nonprofit real estate developer in Boston and one of nation's oldest community development corporations. In her current position, Conrad ensures labor diversity compliance on all MPDC construction projects, spearheads efforts to improve equity within the construction trades among female and minority workers in Boston, and provides technical assistance to local minority contractors that better positions them to gain access to Boston’s lucrative building boom. Most recently, Katrina led the development of an innovative new construction workforce development pilot program, in partnership with Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and a robust roster of skilled local minority contractors who will serve as program instructors.

NABWIC Talks with Entrepreneur Deatrice Simpson, CEO, NDS Fix IT, LLC

 
Forward-thinking designer(Spring Garden College of Philadelphia, University of Md), Army veteran and woman of the people, Deatrice Simpson desire has always been to see  “we the people” do better. Deatrice is an Army Veteran.  She worked in military intelligence and communications studying languages and people.  She traveled and lived in Germany, traveled throughout Europe, Korea and worked at the Pentagon as an information courier, weird top-secret stuff.  After the military she went back to her first love, designing and redefining spaces.  
NDS Fix-IT was born in 2004 and today Deatrice is the sole owner of a design-build firm located in the Nation’s Capital.  NDS Fix IT, LLC is a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) in Washington, DC. We are a Washington, DC registered, licensed, insured, and experienced general contractor who specializes in environmental hazards remediation(lead/mold/asbestos), renovations and repairs. NDS Fix-It, LLC of
the District of Columbia is a leader in construction improvement including remodeling and renovation solutions through the brand of "3R".  We are a full-service general contractor and our capabilities include remediation, remodeling, repair, design, general contracting, project management, commercial, governmental, residential, construction and design services.   For over 10 years we have served a variety of commercial and residential clients including developers, government agencies, school districts, property managers, and institutions. We are proud of our history in service and continually strive to be the benchmark service organization in the construction industry.

NABWIC Talks with Entrepreneur Deatrice Simpson, CEO, NDS Fix IT, LLC

About Deatrice Simpson
Forward-thinking designer(Spring Garden College of Philadelphia, University of Md), Army veteran and woman of the people, Deatrice Simpson desire has always been to see  “we the people” do better. Deatrice is an Army Veteran.  She worked in military intelligence and communications studying languages and people.  She traveled and lived in Germany, traveled throughout Europe, Korea and worked at the Pentagon as an information courier, weird top-secret stuff.  After the military she went back to her first love, designing and redefining spaces.  
NDS Fix-IT was born in 2004 and today Deatrice is the sole owner of a design-build firm located in the Nation’s Capital.  NDS Fix IT, LLC is a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) in Washington, DC. We are a Washington, DC registered, licensed, insured, and experienced general contractor who specializes in environmental hazards remediation(lead/mold/asbestos), renovations and repairs. NDS Fix-It, LLC of
the District of Columbia is a leader in construction improvement including remodeling and renovation solutions through the brand of "3R".  We are a full-service general contractor and our capabilities include remediation, remodeling, repair, design, general contracting, project management, commercial, governmental, residential, construction and design services.   For over 10 years we have served a variety of commercial and residential clients including developers, government agencies, school districts, property managers, and institutions. We are proud of our history in service and continually strive to be the benchmark service organization in the construction industry.
Motto:  “U dream it, we’ll design and build it”  U break it and NDS will Fix-IT”

NABWIC Tips for Dealing with COVID-19 in Business, Workplace and Family

Thoughts are things and powerful things they are.  Focusing on safety with a positive mindset during this time.  COVID-19 is an unbelievable global challenge that impacts every segment of our society – from the government to business, to families and the community channels that support them.
Are you struggling with the impacts that are happening almost daily as a result? 
Join several women from the National Association of Black Women in Construction as they discuss the effects and provide tips, strategies, and information to cope, mitigate, and manage the impact and risks that individuals are facing.
Our special guests include:
 
Ann McNeil, Founder of NABWIC, CEO, MCO Construction
Kimle Nailer, CEO Nailrite construction
Odeidra Williams, CEO, WeOurs Consulting
Tylene Henry, Ujima Services
Badis Nolte-Smith, Owner, DJ Construction Enterprises
Deatrice Simpson, CEO, NDS Fixit

NABWIC Talks with Retu Jalhan, Director, Orlando MBDA Business Center

The MBDA Business Center located in Orlando, FL is operated by the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council.  The center is part of a national network of funded centers located in major cities throughout the United States.  The center works with minority business enterprises to generate increased financing and contract opportunities and to create and retain jobs.
 
Program Director Retu Jalhan is an accomplished business professional with a specialization in the finance industry. Her finance and marketing skills are derived from over fifteen years of experience in the banking, investments and insurance sectors. After graduation from York University, Miss Jalhan began her career in Insurance on the Property and Casualty side of the business. She progressed from the Manager of Direct Marketing to Group Account Manager for the Cooperators Insurance Company where she managed a portfolio of group insurance clients valued at over $160 million in premiums. More recently Miss Jalhan was the Director of Business Development at The RMP Group where she is responsible for the detailed financial analysis and valuation of acquisition opportunities.  She also assisted in the preparation of legal and marketing documents and managed the due diligence timelines for acquisitions. The focus of Miss Jalhan’s work has been on the growth of Minority (MBE), Women (WBE) and Disabled Veteran supply chain companies.  She has also led a special initiative focused on niche social enterprises impacting the Caribbean.
Leveraging her unique experience, she aims to lead the way for further development of MBEs and WBEs in the Central Florida region.
Phone: 407-251-7021
Location: 8251 Presidents Dr., Suite 155
Orlando, FL 3280

NABWIC Talks with Shaniqua Garcia-Stewart, Entrepreneur

Shaniqua Garcia is a trailblazer in the beauty industry with over 15 years of experience. She is a Master Cosmetologist, Certified Trichologist, Educator and Entrepreneur.  Shaniqua has built her career empowering women of all walks of life to embrace their beauty both inside and out.  She is the owner of inner Beauty Salon, Pearl Salon Suites, and the Founder and Executive Director of Inner Beauty Empowerment Project Inc.
​Shaniqua’s hair care skills include natural hair, relaxers, cuts, color, extensions and hair restoration. She does hair for models, actors, and performers for live events, videos, and photo shoots. Her work is trusted by major hair product companies including Design Essentials, Aunt Jackie’s Curls and Coils, Aunt Jackie's Girls, Africa's Best and Argan Smooth. Her work can also be seen in online publications and magazines.
​Shaniqua is an advocate of continuing education and a lifelong student. She received her certification in Trichology; the biological and scientific study of hair and scalp, from the National Trichology Training Institute. She also studied Hair Loss and Hair Replacement under industry experts including DeShawn Bullard, Toni Love, and Cimaje. Shaniqua learned advanced cutting techniques at  Vidal Sassoon Academy, graduated from Brio Academy with her Cosmetology license and earned a BA in Science with a minor in Business from Albertus Magnus College. 

NABWIC Talks with Retu Jalhan, Director, Orlando MBDA Business Center

The MBDA Business Center located in Orlando, FL is operated by the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council.  The center is part of a national network of funded centers located in major cities throughout the United States.  The center works with minority business enterprises to generate increased financing and contract opportunities and to create and retain jobs.
 
Program Director Retu Jalhan is an accomplished business professional with a specialization in the finance industry. Her finance and marketing skills are derived from over fifteen years of experience in the banking, investments and insurance sectors. After graduation from York University, Miss Jalhan began her career in Insurance on the Property and Casualty side of the business. She progressed from the Manager of Direct Marketing to Group Account Manager for the Cooperators Insurance Company where she managed a portfolio of group insurance clients valued at over $160 million in premiums. More recently Miss Jalhan was the Director of Business Development at The RMP Group where she is responsible for the detailed financial analysis and valuation of acquisition opportunities.  She also assisted in the preparation of legal and marketing documents and managed the due diligence timelines for acquisitions. The focus of Miss Jalhan’s work has been on the growth of Minority (MBE), Women (WBE) and Disabled Veteran supply chain companies.  She has also led a special initiative focused on niche social enterprises impacting the Caribbean.
Leveraging her unique experience, she aims to lead the way for further development of MBEs and WBEs in the Central Florida region.
 
Phone: 407-251-7021
Location: 8251 Presidents Dr., Suite 155
Orlando, FL 32809

NABWIC Talks Community with Vontyna Durham, Durham Housing Services

Vontyna Durham, NABWIC member and owner of Durham Housing Services, was the recent MWSBE Spotlight for the month of February for Memphis' Office of Business Diversity and Compliance. 
Durham Housing Services has been a certified MBE and SBE since 2016. The property preservation company provides services such as grass mitigation, property board-ups, demolition services, trash-outs, eviction, and junk removal services. The firm also conducts ground maintenance on REO properties.
Mrs. Durham;s company was awarded a grass mitigation contract with the cityof Memphis for $6,630.
In addition, Ms. Durham is current president of the NABWIC Memphis Chapter and is active in a number of community initiatives.