In This Edition
• WBEC-East 2023 Annual Meeting
• WBENC National Conference 2023
• Galentine's Day Catalog 2023
• WBEC-East Webinars and Events
2023 WBE Star- Marian Neilson
SBA Update
Welcome Newly Certified WBEs
NJ EDA Manufacturing Grant
The FedEx® Grant Contest
The Fifteen Percent Pledge
WBEC-East 2023 Annual Meeting
January 26th, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Join us for the WBEC-East 2023 Annual Meeting! WBENC and WBEC-East Leaders will share our 2022 accomplishments, our vision and the plans to make 2023 successful for you and your business. The WBEC-East Annual Meeting is a must-attend event to learn about our committees, initiatives, and business growth, learning, and networking opportunities in 2023. We look forward to you joining us!
WBENC National Conference 2023
Join WBENC in Nashville, TN, for the 2023 WBENC National Conference taking place March 20-23, 2023, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. WBENC, along with our 2023 National Conference Co-Chairs, Bristol Myers Squibb, DuPont, EY, Nissan North America, Inc., Ampcus Inc., The ActOne Group, and M. Davis & Sons, Inc., look forward to connecting again in person, continuing to build momentum in the network, identifying innovative best practices, learning industry trends and celebrating accomplishments by our WBEs and Corporate Members that further a diverse supply chain and grow business opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
Galentine's Day 2023 Women Owned Marketplace Catalog!

Be on the lookout at the end of January 2023 for our virtual Galentine's Day 2023 Women Owned Marketplace Catalog!
 
This virtual Catalog will showcase retail products and services within our network! Additionally, our catalog will be featuring various coupon codes that will last for the entire month of February!

Be sure to treat someone important in your life to something special this Galentine's Day!
WBEC-East Webinars & Events
January 17, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

In this interactive webinar, we'll learn about RICOH Americas Corporation supplier diversity and procurement initiatives. 
January 20, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

We'll show you how to gain the prestigious Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) certificate and use it to build your business!
January 24, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

In this interactive webinar, we'll learn about EY's (Ernst & Young) supplier diversity and procurement initiatives. 
January 24, 5:00 - 6:00 PM

If you've always dreamed of owning your own business, or if you'd like to understand how WBEC-East can help your business grow, our free online webinar- Orientation and Business Assessment workshop is for you!
January 27, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Whether you’re newly certified or have been for years, we'll show you how to make the best of your certification and grow your business.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Joyce Cadesca via email at jcadesca@wbeceast.com to make arrangements.
2023 WBE Star - Marian Neilson
Our very own Marian Neilson - CEO of Abator Information Services, Inc. - will be honored as a “2023 Women’s Business Enterprise Star”, the nation’s premier award for women’s excellence in business leadership!

This WBE Star will be awarded at the WBENC National Conference in Nashville, TN. Celebrate the success of WBENC Women's Business Enterprise Stars & America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises in Nashville.

Will you be at this event to celebrate all the 2023 WBE Stars?
SBA Update
U.S. Small Business Administration Announces Strategic Alliance to Support Small Business Exporters

Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 33 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, announced the signing of the Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) with BAFT (Bankers Association for Finance and Trade), the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, which will formalize the SBA’s existing relationship with the association. BAFT and SBA strive to tackle challenges both lenders and small businesses face when seeking the trade financing that is essential to international trade. Together, the SBA and BAFT will work to educate small businesses and their lenders on the export financing solutions available in the marketplace.
Welcome Newly Certified WBES!
Certified November 2022
ACS Learning, Inc.
AUROS Group
Avenue 44 Productions
Chick-A-Boom Folcroft 01
Concinnity
Crestwood Membranes, Inc DBA i2M
CTD Development, LLC DBA BehaviorWorx of Southwestern PA
Donia Designs DBA Donia Designs
EnterChange Group
Fun Learning, LLC
Future FootPrints
Child Care Center Inc I.Q., Inc.
JLynne Consulting Group, LLC
Keystone Construction & Earthwork, LLC
Mattingly Solutions, LLC
MCF Group, LLC
Morgan Site Services, LLC
Natalie Excavation & Demolition, LLC
Northstar Environmental, Ltd.
NWA Resources and Consulting, LLC
O'Donnell Alliance, LLC
Rise Agency Group, LLC DBA Rise Pittsburgh
Rubrics Cube Paving Inc.
Scratch Square Pet Products LLC DBA De' Vora (TM)
SwitchgearUS, LLC
Universe Tech System, LLC DBA Manonmani Ganapathy
Victorias' Home Care, LLC
Wireless Site Development, LLC
YB Custom Engraving, LLC DBA Yimabean Engraving
Partner Updates
New Jersey Manufacturing Voucher Program Grant

The New Jersey Manufacturing Voucher Program is a $20,000,000 pilot grant program to assist New Jersey manufacturers with accessing the manufacturing equipment they need to become more efficient, productive, and profitable. The pilot program will provide grants for a portion of eligible equipment costs, up to a maximum award amount of $250,000 per manufacturer.
The FedEx® Small Business Grant Contest

The Small Business Grant Contest has awarded more than $1.5 million in cash and prizes to over 100 small businesses. The contest awards unique and innovative small businesses. You have a chance to win $30K —are you ready to go all in to try to win? The entry period opens on January 31st!
The Fifteen Percent Pledge

Aurora James, founder of the Fifteen Percent Pledge nonprofit, announced plans to award the initiative’s first round of grants to Black-owned businesses. James launched the company in 2020 as an initiative to create a more equitable economic future. To pursue her mission, she approached several major retailers and corporations to devote 15% of their shelf space and annual purchasing power to Black-owned businesses.

Funded in part through Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Liz Walsh at 215-936-9392 or ewalsh@wbeceast.com