For an entrepreneur, an introduction, handshake, or business card exchange with the right person can open doors to opportunities that will help grow their business. Steven Coker is oftentimes on the other side of those handshakes making sure opportunities are accessible to everyone hoping to do business with the city.
Coker, the city’s business inclusion officer, helps minority-owned, women-owned, and small business enterprises become more competitive in city contracting opportunities. For Coker, no two days are ever the same, but they all begin and end with fighting for equity and inclusion.
In this edition of Behind the Crown, we follow Coker as he hosts an event for business owners looking to take their firms to the next level with the city.
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If we didn't have a Charlotte business Inclusion program there wouldn't be the Type of inclusion that's necessary to Match the the growing nature of our city As well as the diversity of our city my Name is Stephen Coker I'm the business Inclusion officer for the city of Charlotte [Applause] Good evening I often get asked the question what do You do and answering that question is I Help Diverse companies get businesses with The city of Charlotte and where we are Right now I'd like to give if I were to Be very objective I'd say we're at a Solid B but we aspire to be an A plus CBI is tasked with taking the priority Of business inclusion in tying it Together with City Contracting in other Words Facilitating our support of minority Women and small business enterprises and Helping them get a piece of the pie well I've been working in business inclusion Thank you probably the other part of 20 Years I Got a Bachelor's degree in sociology and A law degree Ended up being a prosecutor for a couple Years I've also been in a business where I was The owner of a construction company a
Man of my own heart I for nine years I Had a asphalt and concrete company are You serious I did in upstate Let's talk okay okay nice to meet you It's good to meet you I learned business Inclusion the thing that really made it Registered relative to the importance Was how it ties to the greater economy And recognizing that there needs to be a Voice for a minority women in small Businesses but when you look at a Typical day no Day is the same The best thing for me in terms of the Work that I do Is seeing the results that are created Helping our certified minority women and Small businesses obtain contracts and Then even more so and we can see one of Those firms that started out as a Subcontractor become a prime contractor Themselves I got the question earlier Today what are you measuring what are The things that are important that will Come out of this well growth growth Growth growth we want to see your firms Not only do more business with the city But continue to you know grow in this Market when you look at the city of Charlotte just the fact that we're Growing in such a way and there are Diverse people with backgrounds and Experiences coming here I think it's Important to serve those people who are Our constituents they're the people that
Make this city a much more vibrant and Exciting place live okay well I'm glad We're talking down yeah I'm doing well [Music]
Moving to Charlotte North Carolina
Events, Life, Sports, Weather
The city’s rich cultural scene includes a variety of clubs, restaurants and bars. Locals adore the diverse selection of cuisines. Whether you want to sample a Lexington-style burger or try Eastern-style dumplings, there is something for everyone in Charlotte. The local beer scene is also well-rounded with a wide range of craft offerings, many brewed in-house.
Charlotte is a sports-crazy town with two professional NBA teams, the Charlotte Hornets and the Carolina Panthers, plus minor league baseball and hockey. In addition, it is home to the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 and the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Residents of Charlotte enjoy a balance of a fast-paced urban environment with the friendly charm of a smaller town. They have the best of both worlds: a thriving economy and lower cost of living than most major metropolitan areas.
Those who are looking to relocate to Charlotte North Carolina should carefully consider their options. A seasoned real estate agent can help them navigate the process. They will be able to provide valuable information regarding the school system, calculate the cost of living difference and choose a neighborhood that fits their lifestyle.
The most popular reasons people move to Charlotte include work, family and the attractive weather. The area is also renowned for its booming financial industry. The average household income in Charlotte is a bit above the national average. The cost of living in the area is 2% lower than the national average. This makes it an excellent choice for families who are looking to relocate from bigger metro areas.