The last decade has seen exponential growth in the number of minority-owned businesses, with these ventures representing more than 50 percent of the two million new businesses started in the U.S. during that time. Yet, in spite of this growth, minority business owners still face disparities when it comes to access to capital as well as contracting and other entrepreneurial development opportunities. To combat these disparities and further support its alumni, The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management created an Alumni Business Directory to promote and connect Consortium entrepreneurs. 

According to data from the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today, there are more than 4 million minority-owned companies nationwide, supporting millions of jobs and with annual sales nearing $700 billion. Recognizing the impact these businesses have, The Consortium hopes to use this new directory to highlight those of its alumni in order to build support for them among students, alumni, friends and even corporate partners. 

“In the last few months, we have been working to create new initiatives to amplify the pioneering spirit of our alumni, and we believe that this directory is just one of the ways to help us do that while keeping our alumni connected with The Consortium even more,” says Renee Foster, manager, student & alumni relations.

The first iteration of the Alumni Business Directory features 32 businesses from across the country and a range of industries, including financial services, fitness and health, consulting, retail, marketing and advertising, real estate, apparel, construction and more. The Development Department hopes to expand upon the current version in spring 2022.

“The first edition of the directory features a diverse assortment of businesses and startups that offer services as well as consumer goods,” Foster says. “We look forward to the next edition featuring many more businesses.”

You can access the directory here.

If you are an alumni of The Consortium, own your own business and would like to be included in the next iteration of the directory, please contact Renee Foster, manager, student & alumni relations, at fosterr@cgsm.org.