Читать книгу Supplier Diversity For Dummies - Kathey K. Porter - Страница 37

A legendary example that resulted in the creation of some of the most substantial Black businesses that still exist today is the one created in Atlanta by the Honorable Mayor Maynard Jackson. This demonstrated the potential of supplier diversity.

Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first Black mayor, is one of the most revered mayors in Atlanta’s history; many regard him as the father of modern-day supplier diversity. He won the election partly on his promise of economic prosperity for all Atlantans. His approach made him a legend and made Atlanta a model for economic inclusion.

At the time of Jackson’s election in 1974, Atlanta was embarking on one of its most ambitious projects ever — expanding the Hartsfield Airport (now commonly known as the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport) into an international hub. Upon assuming office, Mayor Jackson met with business leaders and told them he would move forward with the expansion of Hartsfield Airport on one condition: 25 percent of all contracts were to be set aside for minority firms. Jackson reportedly told those in opposition that the city wouldn’t build the airport if they didn’t agree to this stipulation, and he held fast to his offer of 75 percent of the project or 100 percent of nothing. As expected, the business elite recoiled, and Jackson’s administration prepared for a long fight.

Over the next two years, Mayor Jackson fought some of the most powerful men in the South who were using their clout to call in political chips to get the governor and state legislature to take control of the airport expansion project. For Mayor Jackson, the stakes were high. This was not only a campaign promise but also an opportunity to provide Black business owners something previously denied them: access to a share of contracts on a major public works project initially valued at $450 million. The mayor used the delay to sell corporations on creative ways to work with Black firms. One novel concept at the time was creating a joint venture with minority firms. This model is now widely used across the world and is often a requirement on public construction-related projects.

By 1976, the parties finally came to an agreement. All parties would eventually agree to Jackson’s modified version of his plan: a goal (not a mandate) of 20 to 25 percent participation of minority-owned firms.

Five years later, Jackson increased the percentage of contracts awarded to minorities from less than 1 percent in 1973 to roughly 39 percent. This surge strengthened the Black middle class and created an affluent business community that still exists today.