Advocacy for Minority-Owned Businesses before Indiana Legislature
Client: Minority-Owned Businesses & OMWBD-Certified Vendors
Challenge: Defending local supplier diversity programs from proposed legislation that threatened equitable contracting access.
Solution: Strategic advocacy, stakeholder mobilization, legislative testimony coordination, and rapid-response communications.
Results: More than 1% of certified vendors participated, 18 leaders testified, and the bill failed to advance out of committee.
The Challenge
In January 2024, Indiana Senate Bill 133 threatened to eliminate local government supplier diversity programs, including the City of Indianapolis’s Office of Minority & Women Business Development (OMWBD) certification program. This posed a significant risk to minority-owned businesses by potentially limiting their access to local contracting opportunities.
Research & Strategy
Conducted an in-depth analysis of OMWBD’s certification program, identifying 877 actively certified businesses and 140 pending approval.
Highlighted a key distinction: OMWBD prioritizes Indiana-based businesses, while the Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA) certification allows out-of-state firms, increasing competition for local contracts.
Developed a strategic plan with two objectives:
Mobilize at least 1% of OMWBD-certified business owners to testify against the bill.
Prevent the bill from advancing out of the Senate Commerce and Technology Committee.
Implementation
Stakeholder Engagement:
Used Mailchimp to engage over 400 minority business owners, achieving high engagement rates:
46% open rate for "Urgent Action Required" email.
44% open rate for "Call to Action" email.
41% open rate for "Power of Advocacy" email.
Testimony Coordination:
Partnered with Crossroads Public Affairs to prepare business owners for testimony.
Rapid Response:
Less than 24 hours before the hearing, the committee changed its start time.
Swift coordination with Crossroads Public Affairs ensured timely updates to impacted business owners
Outcome and Impact
18 business and community leaders testified against Senate Bill 133.
More than 1% of OMWBD-certified vendors participated in the hearing.
The overwhelming opposition led to the bill failing to advance out of the Senate Commerce and Technology Committee.
The Holliday Collaborative Agency’s advocacy efforts directly contributed to protecting equitable contracting opportunities for minority-owned businesses in Indiana. This campaign exemplifies our commitment to data-driven advocacy, stakeholder mobilization, and policy impact.
