IFA™s Diversity Institute: 2009 Review and 2010 Vision

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January 2010 Franchising World



By Miriam Brewer 



During the International Franchise Association Annual Convention in February, the IFA Minorities in Franchising Committee merged with the Diversity Institute to streamline the work of volunteers and staff. As we develop our vision for 2010, we reviewed our accomplishments of 2009.



Outreach and Education 

The Diversity Institute worked closely with IFA’s Government Relations department to further cultivate the partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and in particular the Franchising and Small Business in Cities Task Force. The institute conducted 10 franchise seminars in seven of the cities where the mayor is a member of the task force. In addition to the One-Day Franchise Seminars, IFA was a featured presenter during the Black Enterprise Entrepreneur’s Conference, National Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Association of Small Business Development Centers and the National Black MBA Association’s annual conference. The institute also supported the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Society of Hispanic MBAs and the National Urban League conferences. The institute expressed its special thanks to Coca-Cola and ExxonMobil for their continued financial underwriting of the seminar series and outreach efforts.



Opportunities in Franchising for Women and Minorities Specialty Seminars were also conducted during franchise expos in Miami, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and smaller regional shows in Atlanta and Boston.



The work of the Diversity Institute was featured in highprofile magazines such as Black Enterprise (February, August, and September issues), as well as Essence magazine in May, in addition to radio shows such as “BizTalk with Josh” (noted businessman Joshua Smith) and “The Urban Business Roundtable” hosted by CNN’s Roland S. Martin.



Support to Veteran and Minority Entrepreneurs 

During this uncertain economic time, the Educational Foundation awarded 12 scholarships totaling $34,000 thanks to the generous support of Marriott Foundation, PepsiCo Foundation, Figaro’s Italian Pizza, Valpak, the Dwyer Group, Luce, Smith and Scott and Michael H. Seid & Associates. The scholarships went to deserving veterans and minority entrepreneurs completing their college educations.



What is Ahead in 2010? 

With the continued support of MinorityFran participating companies, the institute plans to build on the foundation established over the past two years and geographically broaden its education and outreach efforts. 



Tentative 2010 Diversity Institute Calendar of Events:

   • Jan. 15-17·Franchise Expo South

   • April 8·Indianapolis One-Day Franchise Seminar*

   • April 9-11·International Franchise Expo

   • April 13·Asian Women in Business Franchise Seminar, New York

   • April 16·Coral Springs One-Day Franchise Seminar*

   • April 23·Jacksonville One-Day Franchise Seminar*

   • May 16-19·Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference, Atlanta

   • May 22·Las Vegas One-Day Franchise Seminar*

   • June 2·Denver One-Day Franchise Seminar*

   • June 10-13·PowerNetworking Conference, Atlanta

   • June 15·Oklahoma City One-Day Franchise Seminar*

   • June 23·Detroit One-Day Franchise Seminar*

   • July 17·Seattle One-Day Franchise Seminar*

   • July 20 Sacramento One-Day Seminar*

   • July 28-29·National Urban League Conference, Washington, D.C.

   • Aug. 5·New Orleans One-Day Franchise Seminar*

   • Sept. 14·Alberquerque One-Day Seminar*

   • Sept. 15-17·CBC Annual Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C.

   • Sept. 21-24 Association of Small Business Development Centers, San Antonio

   • Sept. 22-25·National Black MBA Association Conference, Los Angeles

   • Sept. 29-October 1·U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Dallas) Conference, Dallas

   • Oct. 2·Dallas One-Day Franchise Seminar*

   • Oct. 21-23·National Society of Hispanic MBA Conference, Chicago

   • Nov. 5-7·West Coast Franchise Expo, Los Angeles

   • Nov. 20·Houston One-Day Franchise Seminar* 



*One-Day Franchise Opportunities Seminars for Women and Minorities. Other cities under consideration for the one-day seminars include Charlotte and Atlanta.


Miriam Brewer is director of education and diversity for the International Franchise Association. She can be reached at 202-662-0784 or mbrewer@franchise.org  .

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