CBCF FORMS STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH ORGANIZATION FROM BRAZIL

(Washington, DC) The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation announced today that it would work with business leaders from Brazil to assist in the formation of an organization similar to the National Minority Supplier Development Council, a trade group active in the US. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) announcing the partnership was signed at a formal event held Tuesday morning at the offices of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The leadership of the CBCF hailed this agreement as an important step towards the achieving the strategic goal mandating the globalization of the Foundation. “As Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, I am thrilled that the CBCF and the people of Brazil will be working together in the coming year to promote the development of INTEGRARE, and to encourage the expansion of trade between African American and AfroBrazilian businesses,” said Congressman William J. Jefferson (D-LA).

CBCF President Weldon J. Rougeau said, “With the signing of this agreement, we are officially sealing our commitment to work with INTEGRARE to develop programs together that will enhance and enrich both our organizations and the constituencies we serve. The CBCF is in a unique position to promote global understanding and commerce between peoples of color in all nations. INTEGRARE provides an excellent vehicle through which this can be accomplished.’’

Executive President of INTEGRARE, Maria Hyeronides Barros DeLima, was also present, and represented Brazil as a signatory on the document. She said, “This partnership will allow Brazilian business entrepreneurs to shake hands with Americans who are way ahead and have so much to teach. Brazilians will also have a chance to enter the walls of the corporate world in Brazil and to do business globally. This is a victory for CBCF, INTEGRARE, the Black community, and natives and disabled entrepreneurs. It is definitely a global victory!”

The CBCF has committed to playing a strong role in the establishment and growth of INTEGRARE, by partnering with the organization to:

Assist in identifying potential funding sources to contribute to INTEGRARE;
Provide opportunities for training of the Traditionally Excluded companies to enhance the development of their organizations;
Organize and execute business missions between Brazil and the United States; and

Share with INTEGRARE important information on the United States, on the Congressional Black Caucus, and on legislative initiatives in the United States that can benefit INTEGRARE .
The CBCF expressed its desire to play a strong role in the establishment and growth of INTEGRARE.

The CBCF serves as a nonpartisan, policy-oriented catalyst to educate future leaders and promote collaboration among community and business leaders, minority-focused organizational leaders, and organized labor to effect positive and substantive change in the African American community.