Ernest D. Strickland, President and CEO of the Black Business Association of Memphis, holds an MBA from Bethel University and Bachelor of Professional Studies from University of Memphis. Strickland has led a multitude of successful economic and workforce development projects throughout his career. Most recently, he served as architect of Memphis’ community-wide workforce development initiative, Upskill 901 – a program aimed at upskilling 10,000 individuals over a three-year timeframe.
Take a listen as Ernest talks us through how the BBA Memphis has a focus on helping black businesses build wealth. With Memphis being a majority minority population, he addressed the historical disinvestments in our city that have yielded generational consequences. As a result, government support is needed in addition to innovation dollars that will allow us to experiment, test and learn.
Ernest also shares information on the new $5 billion Ford Project that will begin site work this year. The Memphis MBE Collaborative is in place to educate black business owners on how to qualify for contracts for this new project.
Lastly, Ernest takes on Esco's Pop talk discussing the Southern Heritage Classic, the removal of Senator Katrina Robinson and the controversary surrounding Spotify podcaster Joe Rogan.
