UTAH MBDA BUSINESS CENTER
ABOUT US
The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is the only federal agency solely dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises.
ABOUT THE MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (MBEs)
MBEs are fast-growing, innovative, and represented in every industry sector in the United States. Minority-owned firms directly contribute to the U.S. economy and account for the creation of millions of U.S. jobs.
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11 Million
There are nearly 11 million minority-owned businesses in the United States
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6.3 Million
Employing more than 6.3 million people
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$1.8 Trillion
Generating more than $1.8 trillion in revenue annually
IMPACT AND PERFORMANCE
(National Impact FY23)
Who We Are
The Utah Minority Business Development Agency Business Center (MBDA Business Center) is part of a national network of business centers funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). The Center is operated by The Mill at Salt Lake Community College, which is strategically focused on providing workspaces, education and resource partners for Utah’s small businesses.
What We Do
We work with minority business enterprises (MBEs) looking to expand into new markets, both domestic and international. Whether you need help acquiring finance, competing for contracts, discovering a strategic partner, or becoming export-ready, we can assist you.
Who We Serve
We support businesses that are pursuing growth throughout Utah and across the United States. Our clients are U.S.-based minority business enterprises (MBEs) as defined in the MBDA Act. This includes businesses owned and operated by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals. The Center will maximize its impact by focusing on high-growth sectors in which Utah excels - aerospace technology, energy, defense, construction, health care, and advanced manufacturing.
Meet the Team
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James Jackson, III
DIRECTOR
James Jackson has over 22 years in the financial industry, where he spent the last five years developing and leading a successful supplier diversity program for a regional bank. Mr. Jackson founded the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce in 2009 and has also led and co-founded other organizations focused on the advancement of Utah’s diverse community. In addition, James Jackson, III is a two-time best-selling author and public speaker. He consults and trains leaders and sales consultants in leadership and communication.
P: (801)-957-5228, E: jjacks34@slcc.edu
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Deonn Henderson
BUSINESS ADVISOR
Deonn L. Henderson helps entrepreneurs establish healthy ecosystems and build wealth through the intelligent use of capital. Mr. Henderson is an investor and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience as a strategic advisor in building business infrastructures, bottom-line and process improvement, acquisitions, and strategic planning across several industries. Mr. Henderson possesses a unique blend of capabilities-specialized in the structuring, formation and management of information technology, real estate development entities, joint ventures and government contracting partnerships. Mr. Henderson combines his insight gained from hands-on experience as a corporate executive and an entrepreneur to effectuate focused business solutions.
P: 801-957-5316; E: dhende44@slcc.edu
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Mario Corrales
BUSINESS COORDINATOR
Mario Corrales is the MBDA Business Coordinator and has 15+ years of sales, marketing, and management experience throughout Utah. As a graduate of Salt Lake Community College and the University of Utah, Mario’s local ties offer significant insight into the unique landscape of the region. Mario genuinely understands the concept of next-level success, as he has personally worked for and helped grow minority-owned companies locally. Equipped with a vast amount of resources and a firm goal aimed at creating a pathway to business development services, Mario is passionate about helping minority-owned businesses flourish throughout the region, and beyond.
P: 801-957-3615; E: mcorrale@slcc.edu