FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 02/29/2024
For further information, contact:
Susan Scully Petroni
City of Framingham Public Information Officer
spetroni@framinghamma.gov
508-782-8629
Framingham Mayor Appoints 8 To Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic, & Latino Business Advisory Council
FRAMINGHAM – In October 2023, City of Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky signed an executive order to create a Framingham Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic, & Latino (ABBHL) Business Advisory Council.
In February 2024, Mayor Sisitsky appointed eight individuals to the Framingham Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic, & Latino (ABBHL) Business Advisory Council.
Appointed to the Framingham Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic, & Latino (ABBHL) Business Advisory Council are:
- Michelle Doan for a term through June 30, 2025
- Monica Adwani for a term through June 30, 2025
- Vinod Patel for a term through June 30, 2025
- Tania Blanco for a term through June 30, 2026
- Veronica Olivera for a term through June 30, 2026
- Brandale Randolph for a term through June 30, 2026
- Shivang Patel for a term through June 30, 2027
- Patience Noah for a term through June 30, 2027
The ABBHL Business Advisory Council will work to make doing business in the City of Framingham more accessible to all, especially linguistic access.
“The Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic, & Latino Business Advisory Council will act as a voice for the business community in creating and sustaining opportunities for ABBHL-owned businesses,” said Mayor Charlie Sisitsky. “This new Council will give business owners a seat at the table with my administration, to recommend and make changes for businesses to operate and thrive in Framingham.”
The Council can be as large as 13-members, so the Mayor will continue to accept volunteer applications on a rolling basis. To apply, click here. Members must own or manage a ABBHL business in the City of Framingham
The Goals of the ABBHL Business Advisory Council include:
- Building a community of stakeholders of Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic & Latino (ABBHL) entrepreneurs and small business owners to provide equitable access to business resources
- Identify ways to make doing business in the City of Framingham easier for Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic & Latino businesses
- Retention of Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic, & Latino businesses in the City of Framingham
- Educate ABBHL entrepreneurs of existing City programs to help them grow and sustain their businesses, including helping businesses navigate government regulatory processes and procurement.
- Recruit Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic, & Latino businesses to the City of Framingham
- Council will act as a liaison to the Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic & Latino business community
The Council at its first meeting will elect a chair, vice chair, and a recording secretary/clerk. The First meeting will be held in March.
After the first 6 months of meeting, the Framingham Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic, & Latino (ABBHL) Business Advisory Council shall produce at least 3 goals to accomplish to support the Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic, & Latino business community in the City of Framingham.
According to the Executive Order, the Framingham Asian, Black, Brazilian, Hispanic, & Latino (ABBHL) Business Advisory Council shall file a report to the Mayor and the Planning & Economic Development Director annually by February 15th, with its accomplishments, its short & long term goals, as well as recommendations for the Mayor.
The ABBHL Business Advisory Council will work cooperatively with other business organizations in the City of Framingham, including the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, the Framingham Business Association, and Downtown Framingham Inc, among other groups.
The Mayor’s Office, including the Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer Jesse Edwards, and the Planning & Community Development Division will be liaisons to the new Council.
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