Minority Business Series presented by KeyBank
ABOUT THE ADDRESS
This webinar was held on August 4th, 2020. Find the session replay below.
Governor Holcomb will address how Indiana is helping small minority businesses and individuals get back to work and connected to resources in the midst of economic and individual recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Holcomb will share the state’s Small Business Restart Grant, Rapid Recovery for a Better Future initiative, including the state’s workforce ready grants and Skill Up initiative. Commissioner Fred Payne with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development will be available Q&A following the Governor’s Address that will be moderated by Attorney Abdul-Hakim Shabazz.
Keynote
GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB
State of Indiana
Eric Holcomb is the 51st Governor of Indiana. A lifelong Hoosier, Gov. Holcomb is a veteran of the United States Navy, served as the state’s 51st Lt. Governor, was a trusted advisor to both Governor Mitch Daniels and Senator Dan Coats, and was a former state chairman of the Indiana Republican Party. He was elected governor in November 2016, following an unprecedented 106-day campaign and was sworn in on January 9, 2017.
Already, Gov. Holcomb is moving our state forward. He led the way for the largest long-term infrastructure investment in our state’s history with the 20-year Next Level Roads program, which will invest $4.7 billion for roads and bridges in the first five years alone. To meet our state’s rapidly changing workforce needs, he unveiled the Next Level Jobs program to help get more Hoosiers into high-demand, high-wage jobs.
In his first legislative session as governor, he rallied bipartisan support from Indiana lawmakers to expand pre-K for low-income Hoosier kids, and he unveiled Next Level Recovery—a one-stop-shop for information and resources on the state’s comprehensive and community-based effort to fight the opioid crisis. All of this work is underscored by Gov. Holcomb’s commitment to providing great government service for Hoosier taxpayers.
TANYA MCKINZIE, ESQ
President and CEO, Indiana Black Expo
Attorney Tanya Mckinzie is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Indiana Black Expo, Inc. a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with 12 chapters in Indiana. As IBE’s President and general counsel for more than thirteen years, Tanya oversees day-to-day operations and supervises various programs and initiatives as well as Summer Celebration and Circle City Classic®, fundraising events that generate more than $28 million in annual local spending, attract more than 400,000 attendees annually and provides annual scholarships that have totaled more than $4.6 million to Indiana students.
Tanya has also served on the Board of Directors for IBE from 2001 until 2007. Immediately preceding her position with IBE, Tanya was the Assistant General Counsel for Community Health Network and an Adjunct Legal Writing Professor at the Indiana University School of Law. While at Community, a billion-dollar non-profit health system, Tanya managed all of its litigation for five hospitals and more than 70 sites of care. From 2000 to 2003, Tanya was a Litigation Attorney at Ice Miller where she first became acquainted with IBE while serving as outside corporate counsel.
Mrs. Mckinzie will introduce Governor Holcomb to begin the address.
ABDUL-HAKIM SHABAZZ, ESQ
Attorney at Law, Lewis and Wilkins LLP
Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is an attorney, award-winning political writer and commentator. He has has been covering and writing about state and local government in Indiana since 2004 and, before that, in Illinois—for nearly 25 years. He is with the law firm of Lewis and Wilkins in Downtown Indianapolis.
He hosts the “Abdul at Large” talk show on WIBC-FM 93.1 and writes opinion for various news publications across the state. He’s a frequent panelist and contributor to WISH-TV Channel 8, Fox 59’s IN Focus, and “Inside Indiana Business.” Shabazz also is editor and publisher of IndyPolitics.org, which has been recognized by the Washington Post two years in a row as one of the best political blogs in the nation.
He is also the host and Executive Producer of “Indiana Issues” a weekly public affairs program heard across the state. Abdul is licensed to practice law in Indiana and Illinois and he holds teaching positions at the University of Indianapolis as well as Ivy Tech Community College.
Mr. Shabazz will moderate a Q&A session following the Governor’s address.
FREDERICK D. PAYNE, ESQ
Commissioner, Indiana Department of Workforce Development
Fred Payne joined the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) in December 2017, as Commissioner, after being appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb. The Commissioner serves as DWD’s Chief Executive.
Mr. Payne came to DWD from Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN), as Chief Administrator where he was responsible for the Business Division, which consisted of all support functions including Legal, IT, Accounting/Finance, Planning, Corporate Affairs, Facilities, Administration and Inclusion & Diversity. Mr. Payne was one of three senior and executive leaders on the Company Operating Committee responsible for overall operations. During his time at HMIN, Mr. Payne served in a variety of leadership roles, including, General Counsel, Secretary and Compliance Officer, as well as representing HMIN across North America on the Retirement & 401(k) Committee and Inclusion Committee.
Mr. Payne will be fielding questions during the Q&A portion of the event.
