Pamela Reed’s new focus is on connecting more minority-owned small businesses with the services of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center.
Reed was named minority business development specialist in late 2020. With ASBTDC since 2016, she was previously the Lead Center’s entrepreneurial education specialist.
Reed will serve as the main point of contact for ASBTDC’s minority and underserved programs. This will include establishing and growing partnerships with other organizations that share similar missions, according to State Director Laura Fine.
In particular, ASBTDC wants to increase collaboration with Arkansas’ Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions to expand entrepreneurial education and activities for their students and communities.
“As our first-ever minority business development specialist, Pamela Reed will lead ASBTDC’s continued efforts to ensure entrepreneurs in minority and underserved communities have full access to resources to help them start and grow their businesses,” said Fine. “I know Pam’s passion and enthusiasm for this role will provide new opportunities for ASBTDC and the communities we serve.”
Through strategic partnerships with community organizations and HBCU campuses, new accelerators, incubators, and other services, ASBTDC will assist both those interested in starting a business and those who are already in business, Reed says.
She is eager to ensure an inclusive, fruitful experience for current and prospective small business owners of Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic, Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Island descent.
“With the number of minority businesses disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, we want minority business owners to know we are here to help,” said Reed.
“Entrepreneurial successes in the minority community have the potential to have substantial impact on economic development in the state of Arkansas. I look forward to helping businesses weather the storm and identify more innovative solutions, products, and services,” she added.
To learn more, contact Reed at pmreed@ualr.edu or (501) 804-6771.