SRB COMMUNICATIONS NAMED “SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR” AND “TOP 100 MBE®” IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION

Washington, D.C. September 28, 2018 – SRB Communications won two top honors at the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council’s (CRMSDC) 37th annual Leaders and Legends Awards.

The boutique multicultural advertising and marketing agency, which has headquarters in Washington, D.C., won the top honor, Supplier of the Year, in the $1 million to $10 million in revenues category. SRB Communications was nominated by Pepco Holdings, an Exelon company, one of its Fortune 100 corporate clients.

The agency was also honored as one of the region’s top 100 minority businesses in the Mid- Atlantic region.

The annual awards event, held Sept. 25 at MGM National Harbor, recognizes minority entrepreneurs who have excelled in providing quality services and products to major corporations in the Mid-Atlantic region that have a strong commitment to supplier diversity.

SRB Communications has worked with Pepco since 1996. Currently, the agency has two multi- year contracts with the utility – one as the multicultural agency of record, and the second to provide communications and community outreach work for a multi-year infrastructure project that will modernize the energy grid in the District of Columbia and state of Maryland.

SRB Communications’ founder and CEO, Dr. Sheila Brooks, created a joint venture with two other minority, women-owned businesses for the infrastructure contract, a testament to her unwavering commitment to working with minority and women businesses.

“As an entrepreneur it is more than my duty, it’s my passion to strengthen the MBE community,” she said. “CRMSDC has been an amazing resource and influence in my life. I am elated to have been selected, as not only a Supplier of the Year, but a Top 100 MBE® in the Mid-Atlantic region. I also want to congratulate all of the other award winners, as well as the nominees in my Supplier of the Year category, HIC Energy Partners, LLC and nTech Solutions, Inc! It’s so important that we continue to break barriers and create wealth in our region and the nation.”

SRB Communications is a full-service 28-year-old advertising and marketing agency in Washington, D.C., with satellite offices in Baltimore, Maryland and Manhattan, New York. The boutique agency specializes in multicultural markets, public relations, media relations, community outreach and broadcast production. For more information visit www.srbcommunications.com

The CRMSDC is one of 24 regional affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council. Its mission is to assist their corporate members in improving the diversification and innovation of their supply chains by connecting them to well developed, certified minority business enterprises. CRMSDC provides Corporate Members and NMSDC certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) with a thriving ecosystem pulsing with progressive opportunities to grow, partner, and develop their capabilities and their inherent entrepreneurial spirits. For more information visit http://www.crmsdc.org/.

Jeff Hargrave – Ernst & Young
2018 Entrepreneur of The Year
Mid-Atlantic Award Winner

Jeff Hargrave – Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2018 Mid-Atlantic Award winner

Cardin Meets with Minority Entrepreneurs in Baltimore City

“I‘m working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle … to ensure that minority businesses are not left behind.“ 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneuship Committee, met with dozens of minority business owners and entrepreneurs for a conversation on what tools they needs to increase opportunities and capacity, along with improving their chances for success. Senator Cardin outlined recent developments in Washington, including resources in the recently passed omnibus spending bill for the Small Business Administration and programs and grants aimed at the small business community, particularly minority, women and veteran-owned small businesses. The event was hosted by Stanley Tucker, President and CEO of Meridian Management Group, The President’s Roundtable and The Harbor Bank of Maryland. Rev. Jerome Stephens, Community Outreach for Senator Cardin coordinated the event.

“I wanted to have this discussion with minority entrepreneurs in Baltimore City to hear firsthand what’s working and what needs to change,” said Senator Cardin. “Small businesses have challenges that big companies simply don’t face. But they also create jobs at a greater rate and are responsible for more innovation than big businesses. The federal government should be a partner and not an obstacle to growth. We know there is no single program that works for every scenario and every company. As the lead Democrat on the Senate Small Business Committee, I’m working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to strengthen multiple programs to ensure that minority businesses are not left behind.

“One of the things that is clear to me is that the way we solve our social issues is through economics. When a person has a job, they are probably not going to have issues that get in the way of their success. One way to make that happen is a partnership between the government and the business community. Having Senator Cardin come out to meet with the minority business community, to think about ideas, thoughts and strategies on how we can really make that work is very important,” said Bob Wallace, Chair of The President’s Roundtable. “Senator Cardin has been a committed and intentional political leader for many years. What we need to do is continue that conversation in a more detailed and more intentional way because the key to reforming Baltimore and advancing our city and our economics is going to be entrepreneurship through the minority community, women’s community, and small business community. We need that collaboration between entrepreneurs and our political leaders. I think senator Cardin has been a leader in that area and we hope we can continue that process.”

“Our conversation with Senator Cardin was very uplifting — recognizing that minority businesses are not the same as they were years ago and there will never be a cookie cutter approach. Our conversations touched on establishing why we need to shift our paradigm relative to supporting minority businesses. It’s why this conversation was really exhilarating,” shared Sharon R. Pinder, President & CEOCapital Region Minority Supplier Development Council

“I think Senator Cardin really addressed critical issues, especially as it related to minority business ownership and all the challenges we face in the City of Baltimore,” said Kyle O’Connor, Founder and Managing Partner of The Startup Nest. “I’m looking forward to continuing this conversation and definitely want to invite the senator to our facility.”

“Team Maryland is about trying to do everything we can together to help our business community – especially the minority business community. We are working to make sure funds intended for minority small businesses make it to the minority community despite a President of the United States that seems openly hostile to the minority community,” Senator Cardin added.

SRB COMMUNICATIONS’ CEO JOINS THE FEDERAL CITY COUNCIL BOARD

Dr. Sheila Brooks joins the Board of Trustees at the Federal City Council. Trustees are comprised of the Washington area’s top business, professional, education and civic leaders who serve as trusted partners for civic improvement. The Council works with the District and federal governments to develop and implement solutions to important community problems.

Established in 1954, the Federal City Council (FC2 or “Council”) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the improvement of the District of Columbia. Since its founding, the FC2 has a rich history of achievement, having played a critical role in the creation of Metro, the renovation of Union Station, the establishment of the Verizon Center, and the redevelopment of Pennsylvania Avenue.

SHEILA BROOKS RECEIVES 2017 NABJ PRESIDENT’S AWARD

Long-time National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) member Sheila Brooks is the 2017 recipient of the prestigious NABJ President’s Award.

Each year, the NABJ president hands out the honor annually for outstanding service and commitment to the organization.

In announcing the selection at the Salute to Excellence Awards program during the 42nd NABJ Convention and Career Fair in New Orleans earlier this month, NABJ President Sarah Glover praised Brooks for her “never-ending support during a very challenging era.”

“There wasn’t a time that Dr. Brooks was called that she didn’t step up providing exceptional service and leadership as we improved the way we do business,” Glover said as she shared major accomplishments during her two-year term. “We erased a huge deficit and ended our first year with an impressive surplus that allowed us to further solidify our future.”

Citing Brooks’ leadership role in helping to develop and implement the NABJ Strategic Plan 2017-2020, Glover, who was elected to a second term as president during the convention, noted that the Emmy-award winning journalist, entrepreneur, and dedicated advocate for minority and women’s issues and small businesses went above and beyond for NABJ, guiding the board as it made oftentimes tough decisions to further position the organization for success.

This is the third time Brooks has been recognized for her service to NABJ with the President’s Award; she’s the first NABJ member to receive the accolade three times.

“Early in the morning or late at night, Dr. Brooks answered the call for NABJ,” continued Glover. “She is no stranger to NABJ and the decisions she makes are in the best interest of the organization and its members.

“This isn’t a popularity contest for her. She is genuinely interested in the growth and development of NABJ.”

A three-term former national NABJ board member, Brooks has worked 40 years on various NABJ committees. Her legacy was firmly cemented with the founding of the NABJ Student Projects in 1990, a weeklong newsroom training experience where students work with professional journalists during the NABJ convention.

“I love NABJ and I am so proud of the leadership of President Glover,” she said during her acceptance speech. “This organization has done and continues to do so much for journalists and the industry. I will always support NABJ as I have for the past 40 years as a member. It has been an honor serving this administration.”

Brooks is founder, president and CEO of SRB Communications, a full-service 27-year-old advertising and marketing agency in Washington, D.C., with satellite offices in Baltimore, Maryland and New York City. The boutique agency specializes in multicultural markets, helping clients develop their brand, positioning and strategies through integrated media formats in broadcast, print, digital, and social media for advertising, marketing, outreach and public education campaigns. Brooks is an expert in multicultural marketing, entrepreneurial education and minority business issues.

Prior to starting her company in 1990, Brooks built a distinguished television career as a reporter, anchor, and news director at CBS, NBC, and PBS affiliate TV stations across the country. She worked as the documentary executive producer for WTTG Reports at the Fox owned-and operated station in the District. Her more than 39 years in the television and communications industry has garnered more than 100 awards including two 2016 Salute to Excellence Marketing and Public Relations Awards for her agency’s work on the University of the District of Columbia’s Marketing Campaign and Microsite/Website Landing Page from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), 47 national Telly Awards and induction in the Silver Circle – a Hall of Fame honor from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which recognizes more than 25 years of excellence in journalism.

Brooks’ husband, Rodney, and her son, Andre, are also members of NABJ.

Robert L. Wallace, CEO & President of BITHGROUP co-hosts at the 125th Afro-American Anniversary Gala

August 12, 2017- Keynote speaker, Robert L. Wallace, CEO of BITHGROUP Technologies, Inc. was one of the Master of Ceremonies for the 125th Anniversary Gala in honor of the Afro-American Newspaper. Robert L. Wallace and Maureen Bunyan served as co-emcees for the night’s festivities. May guests were introduced including special guest Margot L. Shetterly, author of Hidden Figures, as she received the Carl J. Murphy Thinker Award.

Greenbelt, MD-  Located at the Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Maryland the Afro-American Newspaper’s 125th Anniversary Gala and celebration took place. The Afro was established by John H. Murphy, Sr. on the principle of giving the black communities throughout the United States a voice for information on the news that would impact the community and instill cultural pride. The Theme was “AFRO at 125: Framing Our Heritage, Forging Our Legacy, Forecasting Our Future.” This is the oldest, continuously run black family owned newspaper in the United States.

About BITHGROUP Technologies

BITHGROUP Technologies is a leading IT services company.  The company has over 20 years of experience working with local, state and federal government clients in developing IT solutions.  Its expertise includes enterprise services health information systems, energy management information systems and identity services. Please visit www.BITHGROUP.com for more information

Media Department
Marketing and Communications
410-962-1188 ext 10
mscott@bithgroup.com

Robert L. Wallace, CEO & President of BITHGROUP speaks at The Metro’s Back2Business Fair

June 20, 2017- Keynote speaker, Robert L. Wallace, CEO of BITHGROUP Technologies, Inc. spoke at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)’s Back2Business Procurement Fair. Wallace spoke on the key advantages and importance of joint ventures with strategic partnerships. A lesson in which Wallace has based his business endeavors on.

Washington D.C.-  Located at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Robert L. Wallace spoke at the Procurement Fair. The Fair served as a way to provide the highlighted steps the authority is taking to ensure minority-owned, local, disadvantaged, and woman-owned businesses are afforded equal opportunity to compete for contracts as a prime or subcontractors.

About BITHGROUP Technologies

BITHGROUP Technologies is a leading IT services company.  The company has over 20 years of experience working with local, state and federal government clients in developing IT solutions.  Its expertise includes enterprise services health information systems, energy management information systems and identity services. Please visit www.BITHGROUP.com for more information

Media Department
Marketing and Communications
410-962-1188 ext 10
mscott@bithgroup.com

Robert L. Wallace, CEO of BITHGROUP Technologies, Inc. speaks at Saint Ignatius Loyola Academy. May 25, 2017- Keynote speaker, Robert L. Wallace, CEO of BITHGROUP Technologies, Inc.

May 25, 2017- Keynote speaker, Robert L. Wallace, CEO of BITHGROUP Technologies, Inc. spoke at Saint Ignatius Loyola Academy. The tuition free private school hosted its graduation on May 25th where Dr. Wallace spoke about his personal life inspiring the young men in the audience listening. His speech carried several life messages that resonated with those in the audience listening, not just the students but faculty, family, and supporters alike.

Baltimore, MD- Located in the Federal Hill district of Baltimore City this tuition-free private school for boys has a mission of tailored education for the intellectual, physical, and spiritual development of middle school aged boys. The school has a special 11-month school year with an extended 9 ½ hour day to raise boys into levels of success and values they will carry with them for a lifetime.

About BITHGROUP Technologies

BITHGROUP Technologies is a leading IT services company.  The company has over 20 years of experience working with local, state and federal government clients in developing IT solutions.  Its expertise includes enterprise services health information systems, energy management information systems and identity services. Please visit www.BITHGROUP.com for more information

Media Department
Marketing and Communications
410-962-1188 ext 10
mscott@bithgroup.com