Minority Business Facts

Links

City of Columbus

Equal Business Opportunity Office

Columbus Minority Contractors

Business Assistance Program

Ohio Department of Development

Division of Entrepreneurship & Small Business

Minority Business Affairs

Ohio Department of Development Division of Minority Business Affairs

SCOMBC

South Central Ohio Minority Business Council

Meet The President

Melinda Carter is the president and founder of brown bread, llc. An attorney with over 19 years experience in minority business program development and implementation, she is uniquely qualified to lead a team of seasoned professionals.

For eleven years, Melinda served as a Cabinet member to Mayor Michael B. Coleman as the Executive Director of the City of Columbus (Ohio) Equal Business Opportunity Commission Office. During her tenure, minority and women owned businesses were awarded over 150 million dollars in contracts, resulting in an unprecedented utilization rate and a 400% increase in dollars spent.

Melinda has been a principal in the design and analysis of Disparity Studies and has implemented race-based and race-neutral programs derived from the studies’ findings. A recognized and passionate leader in the minority business community, she is a frequent presenter at forums and conferences for minority, women and small business owners.

Melinda has served on the certification committee for nearly every public and private certification organization in the Central Ohio area, including South Central Ohio Minority Business Council and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council – South East. In addition, Melinda has served on many of local and national boards that impact the growth and development of minority owned businesses.

Melinda has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Ohio University and a Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law Center.