The Truth Staff
The Ohio Minority Supplier Diversity Council (OMSDC) hosted a North West Ohio Quarterly Forum on Thursday, April 9, at the Metroparks Toledo Enrichment Center and brought together a number of Black business owners to gather some information about some the resources available from several different groups.
The attendees heard from the Toledo African American Chamber of Commerce, The City of Toledo’s Economic Development department, the Minority Business Assistance Center, the Gallagher Group along with the OMSDC, the Ohio Department of Development.
Local businessman Milt McIntyre, OMSDC representative, welcomed the business owners. “If you are just out here doing it by yourself, we can’t help you,” said McIntyre. “Share our stories and share our successes.”
McIntyre introduced LeSean Shaw, president of the newly relaunched TAACC. The TAACC held a get-acquainted event in February 2026 with a town hall with about 75 attendees and signed 40 members, well on the way to reaching the goal of having a membership of 100 by the year’s end.
Shaw explained the services that will be provided to members such as: networking events, training/mentorship, education and workshops, business support, advocacy and visibility, partnerships, among other benefits
The TAACC has a range of membership packages available depending on the size of the business.
The event was then moderated by Calvin Brown, COO & principal owner of PNG Consulting, who represented OMSCD
Megan Stretavzki of the City of Toledo’s Economic Development department, spoke of the resources available from the city: financing and incentive programs including an enterprise development loan up to $90,000, façade grants up to $30,000, white-box grants up to $75,000 with match requirements, tax-exemption tools, Brownfield cleanup loans, a 2024 permit portal and zoning updates, and major capital projects such as Four Corners and a Westgate North groundbreaking.
Ebony Carter, and her staff at the Minority Business Assistance Center, introduced the two-pronged business assistance program currently available there. First, there are procurement tools – access to contracting possibilities, industry data and growth opportunities.
Second, MBAC can assist with the various state certifications – such as Minority Business Enterprise, Women Business Enterprise and other certifications and increase eligibility to obtain certain business contracts.\
Omara Kzaadi-Abe, the featured speaker, introduced attendees to the Gallagher Group and outlined insurance, surety and cyber risk challenges for smaller firms and proposed benchmarking, a cyber-loss calculator, bonding assistance and complimentary coverage analyses and strategy sessions to help businesses qualify for contracts and manage emerging threats.
The session closed with contact information, encouragement to pursue certifications, and a commitment to distribute event flyers.