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Mission History
President's Message
President Garrett's Address at the 2009 Unity Gala.
Good evening and thank you all for coming to the Tabor 100 Captains of Industry Annual Gala. Tonight is a very special night, because we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tabor 100.
Ten years ago, a great visionary, L. David Tyner III, founded Tabor 100 which has matured into an institution that has successfully advanced a common agenda for minority owned businesses in the Pacific Northwest.
For a decade Tabor 100 members, all of whom are volunteers, have worked to ensure that the brush of economic opportunity uses all of the colors, to paint prosperity across this far reaching canvas we call Washington State, and that our business and political leaders embrace the beauty of this illustrious portrait, while preserving it with a protective coat of fairness and justice.
For 10 years, Tabor 100 has stood strong and not deviated from the mission, economic power and educational excellence. As I look across this ballroom tonight, I can clearly see that over the years Tabor 100 has Changed Dreams into Reality.
Many great ideas begin with a dream. 40 years ago, a young man from the clay hills of Georgia had a dream, that one day this country would not judge a man by the color of his skin, but the content of his character. In my mind, I can imagine that one of the things that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. may have seen in his dream from the mountain top looking over the promised land, was a little black boy sitting under a tree in the tropics of the South Pacific, planning to one day be, the President of the United States of America. I believe that although Dr. King knew he that may not be her to see it happen, I believe that he knew that it would happen.
Perhaps, a result of Dr. King's dream, vision, and divine revelation is, that young man sitting under that tree, grew up to organize a nation of believers, who embraced the slogan of "Yes We Can"; and "Yes We Did" elect him, Barack Obama, as the 44th President of the United States. This reality came about because people from all races and all walks of life came together, to vote for a candidate based on his qualifications and ability, and not against him because of his genealogical pedigree. I dare to say that one man's dream became another man's reality.
I can also imagine another young man from Texas, Langston Tabor, traveling to Seattle seeking economic opportunity and prosperity; only to encounter an initiative called I-200, that he felt would undue a lot of the gains made by minority businesses in the State of Washington. I can imagine Langston Tabor, dreaming of a day when an organization existed that would make economic power for minority businesses a reality. Unfortunately, he was called home to his reward before he could launch the battle. But, the dream did not die; because, a young man from Philadelphia, L. David Tyner III stepped up and got to work to change Langston Tabor's Dream into Reality. Again, one man's dream resulted in another's reality which is now Tabor 100.
Tabor 100 has achieved many accomplishments over the past 10 years.
Economic prosperity and educational excellence is the key to Tabor 100's future and our communities' future. All of you can be the catalyst to that future. We are asking you to help introduce our organization and members, to your companies and agencies. You all have the power to be the change agents. By helping Tabor 100 companies, you are helping Washington be more competitive, grow our jobs, and increase revenues to both Washington government and Corporations. Together we can "Turn Dreams into Reality".
"We are all equal in the eyes of God", What ever you do "Don't Quit". Through this challenging time we may get hard pressed but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. Adversity will challenge us but not destroy us. Keep living by faith not by sight and most important let us not become weary in doing well, there's nothing that can't be done if we raise our voice as one. Let's stick together and encourage one another. Dreams can only come true when the Dreamer takes action. If we stay focused on our goals, Dreams can become Reality.
Jaunary 2009
Since late 2008 the negative news about our economy has been constant, and at times unnerving. Yet as I have attended meetings with our members and stakeholders, the prospects for new opportunities are great.
In 2009, Tabor 100 will continue to prove that we deliver the best example of power through unifying communities. This was our theme for the 9th annual gala, and I spoke sincerely that night about our commitment to walking that talk. But in terms of execution, there is no more important action than continuing to build relationships with leaders and other organizations.
Several Tabor 100 officers and I will meet this month with Gov. Christine Gregoire. Our agenda is focused on discussing her stimulus plan for Washington State, and proposing ways Tabor can play a role in local economic stimulus.
I had a productive meeting with officials from the city, county and state on public sector contracting. I brought together Linda Bremer, director of the state office of General Administration, the key agency behind state purchasing, Nancy Locke, City of Seattle purchasing manager and Sandy Hanks, King County program manager in a session where we shared ideas on how Tabor can work with their agencies. We discussed what’s working and what’s not, and reviewed the challenges faced by both the public and private sectors.
The city and county have been dedicated supporters of our successful meet-and-greets between Tabor members and their purchasers and our conversations will certainly take us to the next level.
In addition, I’ve been working with OMWBE’s Ad Hoc Advisory Committee, as part of a group of business and diversity experts advising the agency’s director on supplier diversity.
In the spirit of unifying communities, I have met with the President of the Alaska Black Chamber of Commerce, and spoken with Mike Sotelo of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Alex Borromeo of Seattle’s Filipino Chamber of Commerce. We talked about ways we can all work together and deliver one solid consistent message. We also will continue to build on the relationships we have formed with many others.
Internally, I have many reasons to be excited about what Tabor will accomplish in 2009. In just the past few weeks, we have seen 10 new members join. Each new member adds to our resources for building strong Tabor committees and business-to-business networking. This year we will celebrate our 10th Captains of Industry Gala and no doubt continue to grow this event in exciting new ways.
My friends, there is an unmistakable sense of hope and energy throughout our community these days. People are looking for proactive ways to give back and make a difference. Many have recognized Tabor 100 is an excellent way to do that. At the same time, we are part of the solutions to invigorating the economy – as long as we are given a fair opportunity to compete.
Let’s stay unified, as we did in September at the Gala (and as we did on Nov. 4!), and we will make 2009 a year of achievement.
President Garrett's Address at the 2008 Unity Gala.
Good Evening, my name is Ollie Garrett and I'm the new President of Tabor 100. On behalf of our officers and members, thank you for coming tonight.
It takes a lot of volunteer hours to make the Gala possible, and I want to thank the Gala Committee again for the very hard work they do to make this event a success.
In particular, I would like to thank Christa Peterson, the new Gala Committee Chair, and Janie Hendrix for their leadership.
I also want to thank our major sponsors, without whom the success of this event is impossible.
Tabor is proud that 83 cents of every dollar raised at the Gala goes to Educational programs and scholarships. And 93 cents of every dollar contributed to us goes toward our programs. Only 7 cents goes toward overhead because our volunteers to do all the work!
We've had several sponsors give large donations to Tabor. For example, our Diamond, Platinum and Gold sponsors have donated funds that allows Tabor 100 to award scholarships at a broader array of community colleges and universities.
These relationships play a big role in Tabor's future strategy and activities.
For example our new relationship with PSE will help us increase awareness within the minority business community about "Green Business" issues and opportunities.
I also would like to thank past presidents L. Dave Tyner, Donald King, Craig Dawson and Leon "Skip" Rowland. Please rise and be recognized? Will you join me in a round of applause?
Now, as the new president of Tabor, a lot of people might be asking, "WHO IS Ollie Garrett?"
Well tonight I would like to introduce myself, and talk about an American dream--mine-and also give you some insight into the direction of Tabor during my leadership.
I was born in New York and raised in Canton, MS.
I left Canton for the big city, and as a single parent moved to Chicago. Just off the Greyhound bus, I became a victim of "Three Card Molly". I remember being sold fake gold chains, and too many other scams to mention-all on the streets of Chicago.
And while there I had to get on Public Assistance.
But looking back on that experience I realize that I was cradled by folks I called, "Angels". I was lucky enough - some might say foolish, others might say naïve - that someone was always there to give me a helping hand, or an arm of protection!
I've been fortunate to have been given opportunities to improve myself and rise.
I left Chicago for Detroit, and it was there I got my first job as a collector at Comp-U- Check, and got off of Public Assistance. By the time I left Comp-u-Check I was Vice President of Financial Recovery, responsible for a staff of 65 and a Half-Billion dollar portfolio of retail and commercial collections.
I was recruited by SCAN, located in Bothell, Washington, one of the largest check verification companies in the country. From there I became President of CCV.
In 2006, I branched out on my own, launching PMT Solutions, a full service receivables management firm in Bellevue.
This is my American dream.
As I've traveled my life's journey, I've been grounded in faith.
I've learned we're all blessed in order to be a blessing to others.
Early in my life I learned about business from my dad. He built homes in Canton, and as I watched how he worked with his business partners, it made a big impression on me.
You see,…I'm from a place where business was done on a handshake, and a person's word was their bond. My Dad had lots of business opportunities, and he shared them all with other business people. His belief was, "shared opportunities create shared benefits," which is the spirit of tonight's theme of "Power through Unifying Communities".
So how will who I am and what we believe as Tabor members effect my term as president of Tabor? Well,…
First and foremost, Tabor 100 will be an organization that is the best example of "Power through Unifying Communities".
We have a strong desire to build relationships with other organizations that share our views on economic development, and we want to build on the areas of balanced common interests.
Partnerships are critical to our success.
Some of these partnerships are:
The Seattle Department of Transportation, led by Grace Crunican as well as Nancy Locke with the Department of Executive Administration, Elaine Ko, Port of Seattle, and Frank Leyritz, Puget Sound Energy, -- who have all worked with us on our "Meet and Greet" business development program. This program has increased revenue opportunities for minority businesses. These opportunities are not just for African-American firms, but for businesses across diverse communities.
Boeing, who provided support for this year's Black History Month celebration;
Rep. Bob Hasegawa, who we would like to thank for his leadership in working with us on the bill to increase the funding limits for the link deposit program from $100 million to $150 million,…
This also ties into a new direction we're supporting within the Urban Enterprise Center, to collaborate on a "multi-cultural marketing and cross-cultural business" philosophy.
As part of this approach, we're also coordinating and unifying our strength by working with and supporting the activities of other business organizations, like the Northwest Minority Business Council, the Hispanic Chamber, the Filipino chamber, and the Urban League's CDCC. In many ways, we have a shared history with these organizations, and it's critical we work together.
We will continue to be deeply committed to educational excellence and look forward to continue our work with organizations like, Thrive by Five, the Business Partnership for Early Learning, Seattle Public Schools, and the Black Education Strategy Roundtable.
Perhaps most importantly, Tabor 100 will be an organization that "WALKS THE TALK". We plan to create an environment high in trust, where all the folks working to promote minority business development here in the Puget Sound Area work together and don't reinvent the wheel.
Within the organization we're going to work hard to increase membership, energize committees, and develop the next generation of business leaders.
Tabor is blessed to have talented, dynamic leaders coming to the foreground and here they are.
Would all the Officers and Board Members please rise.
These folks drive our mission and goals, and they choose the initiatives we work on. Would you please give them a round of applause?
Cos, Crystal, Glenn, Lewis, Christa, Kevin, Marcee, Mark, and William,…thank you for your leadership and your service! And thanks to their families, too! They miss precious family time working on Tabor business. So thank you for sharing them with us! Please be Seated.
Anyone that knows me understands that I have a passion for this organization, a passion for the growth of minority businesses, and a passion for collaboration. There are many of you here who share that passion, and together this will enable us with the Power to Unify our Communities.
In closing, on behalf of the members, officers, and the board, we look forward to working with many of you during this year.
Thank you for your support and sharing this evening with us, and God Bless.
