This alliance has been formed to proactively address relevant economic development issues in Washington State through collaboration with organizations representing people of color.

MEBA will focus on the survival and growth of all multi-ethnic businesses, and non-profit organizations that recognize the benefits of mutual cooperation. MEBA will develop current and future leadership potential as needed to ensure access, influence and capacity of those multi-ethnic firms seeking economic parity.

Mission Statement:
 
Advocate, Foster and Promote Multi-Ethnic Business Development as a vital component of the over-all economic development of the State of Washington.

Goals:

1 - The Multi-Ethnic Business Alliance (MEBA) will develop a comprehensive statewide multi-ethnic economic development legislative agenda advancing economic parity for multi-ethnic businesses. This agenda will aggressively articulate MEBA’s constituency’s vital role in Washington States’ overall economic wellbeing.

2 - MEBA assumes the role of a statewide clearinghouse of information and education regarding multi-ethnic businesses. This is achieved by the collection and dissemination of statistical data relevant to the advancement of MEBA’s legislative agenda. Such statistical data and other information also aids in promoting MEBA’s agenda and advances diversity consciousness within the public and private sectors in Washington State.

3 – MEBA establishes and advances a synergistic platform for alliance members to collaborate and cooperate in areas where the overall wellbeing of participants involved is enhanced.

At its historic first meeting on May 18, 2006, MEBA formed its executive board. Its officers are Chairman Ben Cabildo, Vice Chairman L. David Tyner, Secretary Dr. Skip Rowland and Dr. Andrew Harris as treasurer.,

Two representatives of each of the charter members of MEBA to include AHANA (Spokane), the African American Prosperity Partnership (Seattle), Tabor 100 (Seattle), the Black Collective (Tacoma), the Filipino Chamber of Commerce (Seattle) and BECC, Black Entrepreneurs of Clark County (Vancouver,Washington), formed the founding member of MEBA. MEBA is continuing to seek representation from other ethnic groups and particularly hopes to add board members from Latino and American Indian organizations soon.

For More Information: Access the MEBA website: www. meba-wa.org