Minority and Women-Owned Business Development
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program – Enroll Today!
Verizon is empowering small businesses with its Digital Ready program, offering free training, tools, and resources to help entrepreneurs grow their online presence and master essential digital skills. Through Digital Ready, you can attend expert-led courses, participate in virtual events, and gain practical insights to strengthen your business in today’s digital economy.
As part of this initiative, Verizon is awarding $10,000 grants to 50 small businesses. To qualify, enroll in Digital Ready for free, complete two courses or events, and submit your application by Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Will your business be one of the next winners?
To register, click here
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Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Manufacturing Resources
Maryland SBDC’s new dedicated resource page is focused on providing federal and state resources for manufacturing support. We’ve curated a list of valuable tools, programs, and funding opportunities to help you grow and strengthen your operations.
Click here to access the page: https://www.marylandsbdc.org/consulting/manufacturing-resources
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Small Business Enhancing Access to Equity Survey
Help Shape Support for Small Businesses in Baltimore
SMBA&D is launching a Small Business Enhancing Access to Equity Survey to better understand barriers and opportunities small, minority, and women-owned businesses are facing in Baltimore. Your insights will directly inform how we design, improve, and target programs that expand access to capital, contracts, and technical assistance.
If you own or operate a small business in Baltimore, please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share your experience. Your voice matters—and your feedback will help us advocate for more equitable resources and opportunities.
Baltimore City M/WBE Certification Program
Get Baltimore City certified as a M/WBE! The online process is easier than ever. The Mayor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development (SMBA&D) has a new hub to:
- Locate minority business enterprises (MBE) and women’s business enterprises (WBE) in the certified directory;
- Apply for or renew your M/WBE certification to market your business to be utilized for M/WBE goal fulfillment;
- Request to update business contact information; and
- Request to expand certified services.
Visit https://smba-d.baltimorecity.gov/ to review the active M/WBE certified directory, get guidance about completing bid participation forms, review the MGT 2022 Disparity Study, and learn more about upcoming events.
For more information about the certification process, click here
To apply for online certification, click here
To view a list of Frequently Asked Questions about submitting questions, certification, M/WBE bid participation forms, waivers, and post-award contract changes. Click here
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Women’s Leadership Breakfast hosted by Central Maryland Chamber
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Fello, 999 Corporate Boulevard, Suite 300, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Join Central Maryland’s top women leaders for a exclusive breakfast conversation with Shannetta Griffin, Executive Director & CEO, Maryland Aviation Administration.
To register, click here
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2026 Annual National Society for Black Engineers Convention
Theme: Advancing S.T.E.M.
Wednesday, March 18 – Sunday, March 22, 2026
Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
The 2026 Annual National Society of Black Engineers Convention will offer the Entrepreneurship SIG Pitch Showcase. This event is designed to showcase entrepreneurs and entrepreneur-minded NSBE members. This event will provide and opportunity for NSBE members to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas, products, services, and businesses at the convention. Application Deadline: Monday, February 16 at 11:59 p.m. EST). To sign up, click here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/qPhhyjNKfM
Convention registration, click here
To view convention schedule, click here
For more convention information, click here
SAVE THE DATE!!!
Maryland’s Top 100 Women Event hosted by The Daily Record
Monday, May 4, 2026
SECU Arena, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252
Maryland’s Top 100 Women recognizes high-achieving Maryland women who are making an impact through their leadership, community service and mentoring. Winners are selected by past Top 100 Women and business leaders. Three-time winners are inducted into the Circle of Excellence.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and benefits please contact your account manager or email shuettner@bridgetowermedia.com.
If you have questions about this awards event, please email events@thedailyrecord.com
23rd Annual 2026 Spring Breakfast Meeting / Business Showcase Expo
Friday, May 8, 2026
7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Baltimore, MD 21244
Attend the breakfast awards ceremony to network with top leaders and decision makers.
- Supplier diversity leaders will be honored for their outstanding achievements.
- Attend the Business Expo and meet 80+ exhibitors representing prime construction, healthcare, utilities, education, government and more.
- Learn how to do business with prime companies and government agencies.
- Learn more information about Minority/Women-Owned Business Certifications.
To view flier, click here
Application for exhibitor, sponsorship, advertisement, click here
To purchase tickets for Spring Breakfast / Awards Program, click here
To purchase tickets for Business Showcase, click here
To view sponsorship packages, click here
To view sponsorship booklet, click here
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2026 Small Business Advancement Conference hosted by Mayor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development
Thursday, June 4, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Baltimore Convention Center
1 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
This advancement conference will feature a trade show with city, state, county and federal government agencies, universities, institutions, corporations and resource partners. Attendees will hear about opportunities for small, local, minority and women-owned businesses. Dynamic and engaging speakers, corporate roundtables, matchmaker sessions, workshops and breakout sessions will be offered.
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To view flyer, click here
To register, click here
