Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs

10/10/2026

10/07/2026

‼️ Attention all OAME members/ Guests ‼️
We have a couple of updates for this Friday's in-person CAEPT Networking Meeting. Our previously announced speaker ran into a scheduling conflict, but thanks to Kimberly Sutton and Nate McCoy, the show will go on!

Kimberly and Nate will be joining us to show what community partnership really looks like, and to share the many resources available to small businesses, not only through OAME but through all of our community partner avenues. Each organization may approach the work a little differently, but in the end the mission is the same: to support local minority-owned businesses.

Meet our speakers:
Kimberly Sutton Fortis Construction | President of BDI
Kimberly is a strategic leader in small business inclusion, community engagement, and workforce development, with a proven track record across both the public and private sectors. With over two decades of experience, she designs and implements programs that expand opportunities for small businesses, enhance supplier diversity, and strengthen workforce development. Her expertise spans policy creation, program ex*****on, and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on driving meaningful, measurable change in construction and government contracting. Drawing on a national network of relationships, she brings best practices in inclusive leadership and economic equity to create sustainable opportunities with lasting industry impact.

Nate McCoy | Executive Director, National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC-Oregon)
Nate serves as Executive Director, Operations Manager, and Spokesperson for NAMC-Oregon, the local affiliate of the National Association of Minority Contractors, founded in 1969. He builds programs that advance the organization's mission to address the needs and concerns of minority contractors through advocacy. Nate leads efforts to secure resources, serve NAMC members, and manage operations that advance construction industry issues common to African American, Asian American, Hispanic, and Native American businesses.

Please note our new location for this meeting:
When: Friday, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Where: University of Oregon Portland, Campus Center (our alternate meeting space)
2823 NE Holman St., Portland, OR 97211

The building is just across the campus quad from our usual space and has its own dedicated parking lot at 27th and Holman for easy access.

A big thank you to Happy Baskets for making this meeting possible! Check them out here: https://happybaskets.com/

You don't want to miss this one. Arrive early to grab your favorite spot. We can't wait to see you there!

10/06/2026

Good conversations, a few questionable swings, and a whole lot of connection. Last year, entrepreneurs, business leaders, agencies, and community partners came together at Topgolf to do what Sam Brooks did best: bring people together and create opportunity.

We’re already looking forward to doing it again.

The 3rd Annual Sam Brooks Classic is coming up:

📅 Friday, October 23
📍 Topgolf Portland – Hillsboro, OR

No golf experience needed. Just come ready to connect like the pros. Register individually or bring your team, and sponsorship opportunities are still available.

See you soon !

10/03/2026

OAME member Edgar and his filmmaking company, NAYO Creative Productions, have been selected to participate in this year's Pitch Latino, presented by .

On October 8th, Edgar and his good friend, the incredibly talented actor , will take the stage at the historic Newmark Theatre to present their company, their vision, and a brand-new project in front of 900 people.

This is a big moment for Edgar, for NAYO, and for our Latino creative community. Let's show up and show our support, OAME family!

📍 Newmark Theatre

🗓️ Thursday, October 8th

⏰ 5:00 PM

Get your tickets here: https://www.portland5.com/event/pitch-latino

10/02/2026

Northwest Native Chamber gala recap 2026!

Mel Jones Dunia Garcia Fortis Construction

09/30/2026

There are people who do their jobs well, and then there are people who change the way a whole team feels about showing up. Moayad is the second kind.

Today we're saying goodbye to our Operations Director as he steps into a new chapter, and I've been sitting with how to put into words what he's meant to OAME and to some members personally. The truth is, no post will ever be long enough.

Moayad is someone who loves big and gives even bigger. He pours his heart into everything he touches, and he does it quietly, without needing credit or applause. He simply shows up, again and again, no matter what the situation brings.

I'll never forget the times one of us was sick or struggling. Most people would ask, "When will you be back?" Not Moayad. His first words were always, "Do you need anything?" That's who he is. People first, always. He saw each of us as human beings before he ever saw us as part of a workflow, and that kind of care is rare.

If you worked with him, you know his two favorite phrases: "I got it" and "I'll see what I can do." And he meant them every single time. Tight deadline? He got it. Something falling apart at the last minute? He'd see what he could do, and somehow, he always found a way. Whatever it took, he gave it his all.

Operations is often the work nobody sees. It's the late nights, the problem solving behind the scenes, the thousand small things that keep everything running so the rest of us can create. Moayad carried so much of that weight with grace, patience, and a steady kindness that made hard days feel lighter.

Moayad, thank you. Thank you for your loyalty, your hard work, your humor, and your heart. Thank you for the way you took care of our team, our clients, and me. You helped build something here, and your fingerprints will be on OAME for a long time to come.

Whatever this next chapter holds, we know you'll bring that same love and dedication with you, and whoever gets to work alongside you next is incredibly lucky. We're cheering you on every step of the way.

You will always have a home here. We love you, and we'll miss you more than words can say.

With so much love and gratitude,

OAME Family

Moayad Zahralddin

09/29/2026

David Mishler reminded us that you don’t have to have it all figured out before you say yes. He stepped into something new with an open heart, and it led him to a friendship that has clearly made its mark on everyone around him.

Watching him speak, you could feel how much this journey means to him. Thank you, David, for your honesty, your humility, and for showing us what it looks like to simply show up for someone.

09/08/2026

Did you know longtime OAME member David Terrell, PhD, is also sharing his voice over the airwaves?

If you’ve attended an OAME meeting, you probably know David as one of the happiest people in the room. When he introduces himself, he always begins by reminding us that he’s **“happy to be here for no reason” and anyone who knows David knows he means it!

Dr. Terrell brings that same positive energy to “Educación con Poder,” his Spanish-language radio program on Radio Poder 98.3 FM, airing every Tuesday at 2:00 PM.

We love discovering and sharing the many ways OAME members are making an impact in our community.

Tune in Tuesdays at 2:00 PM and learn more or listen live through Radio Poder 98.3 FM.

09/07/2026

Did everyone have a good weekend? We know back to school has been busy for some folks, we wish our youth the best year this year. Let’s keep checking in with them and making sure they have OAME family in their corner.

Please mark your calendars the 3rd Annual Sam Brooks Classic is happening Thursday, October 23rd at Topgolf Portland in Hillsboro!

This one’s named after OAME’s founder, Sam Brooks. It’s become one of our favorite events of the year. It’s golf, but really it’s an excuse to get entrepreneurs, business leaders, community partners, and the folks who fund and support small businesses all in one room (well, one bay) for a day of good conversation and easy networking.

Never picked up a club? Doesn’t matter. Come meet people, learn about resources you didn’t know existed, and maybe reconnect with someone you’ve been meaning to catch up with.

See you on October 23

‼️ Register now: ‼️ Link in bio

09/02/2026

OAME Vice Chair Eric Ufer, President of Eco Property Solutions, was recently featured on KGW News, where he discussed his growing family of property service companies, his commitment to the Portland community, and the importance of giving back.

During the interview, Eric shares how Eco Property Solutions serves residential, commercial, and government clients while working toward a larger mission of helping “clean up the city of Portland one building, one block at a time.”

Eric also talks about his passion for supporting young people and creating exposure to entrepreneurship and career opportunities. He highlighted his recent involvement with the OAME Youth Entrepreneurship Conference, where he helped mentor a team of young entrepreneurs as they developed and presented their own business concept.

We’re proud to see OAME leadership represented in our community and to see Eric highlighting the role businesses can play not only in providing great service, but also in mentorship, community involvement, and creating opportunities for the next generation.

This segment is sponsored by Eco Property Solutions