The Collective:

HUNDREDS OF BUSINESS OWNERS AND ‘THE COLLECTIVE’ BLACK BUSINESS ADVOCACY GROUPS CALL ON NC OFFICIALS TO AUTHORIZE NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR SMALL BUSINESS GOALS ON STATE CONTRACTS

WHO:

‘The Collective’ Business Advocacy Groups

Several statewide and regional advocacy groups comprise The Collective, including: Greensboro Business League, Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce, NC Black Alliance, Urban League Affiliates of North Carolina, NAACP of North Carolina State Conference, and more.

WHAT:

The Collective will host a statewide Town Hall assembly calling for the reversal of targeted exclusion and the establishment of small business goals for state contracts.

WHEN:

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at 10 a.m. (Town Hall) and 2:15 p.m. (press conference)

WHERE:

International Civil Rights Center and Museum

134 South Elm Street · Greensboro, NC

WHY:

To address the economic harm resulting from closure of the state’s HUB Office and the lack of accountability in state contracting.

CALLS TO ACTION:

The Collective is encouraging business owners to contact their state senator, complete a business impact survey, record their comments, join an action team, and support a statewide resolution in support of small and minority businesses.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover a statewide business Town Hall with hundreds of previously HUB-certified firms now calling on elected officials to adopt a resolution in support of small business contracting goals. Known as The Collective, a powerful coalition of North Carolina business owners, chamber leaders, and advocacy groups will gather on Sept. 10 in Greensboro to challenge the statewide elimination of the HUB Office and the sweeping rollback of access and accountability for women- and minority-owned business participation. The Town Hall will outline the economic harm caused by the repeal of participation goals and reporting requirements, elevate the voices of affected firms, and mobilize attendees around a unified call to action — including contacting state leaders, supporting a proposed executive order establishing new small business contracting goals, and joining coordinated efforts to rebuild the infrastructure that once supported more than 6,400 HUB‑certified businesses.

One-on-one media interviews will be available with the following representatives of The Collective immediately after the 2:15 p.m. press conference:

  • Gerry McCants, President, Greensboro Business League

  • Cyril E. Broderick Jr., President and CEO, Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce

Media Details and Logistics:

  • Text to RSVP and request media interviews coordinated by the PR PROS team at: 336-362-9668.

  • Media should enter on South Elm Street; as the doors on February One Street will be locked.

  • Preferred parking: Greene Street Parking Deck, 211 South Greene Street, at the corner of South Greene and West Washington streets, one block from the museum. Enter from Greene Street or Washington Street. Walk east on Washington Street to S. Elm Street; the museum is a short walk north on S. Elm.

 

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