Office of Communications Business Opportunities Presentation to Commissioners
January 2021 Open Meeting
Sanford Williams, Director
January 13, 2020

Greetings Chairman Pai, Commissioners, and Secretary Dortch. It is my pleasure to present to you on behalf of our team in The Office of Communications Business Opportunities, OCBO, some of our accomplishments over the past four years. 
SLIDE 1
Chairman Pai, thank you for your service to the FCC and the nation. Public service is an important and essential part of our democracy. I wish you well in your future endeavors.
Before I delineate some of OCBO’s activities, I would like to acknowledge the other members of our team, in Alphabetical Order: 
Andrea Brown, Cara Grayer, Larry Hudson, Belford Lawson, Celeste McCray, Maura McGowan, Sharon Stewart, Chana Wilkerson, and Carolyn Williams. I thank and appreciate these hard working, diligent and compassionate professionals who endeavor each day to do their best to serve the American People.
The author L.R. Knost says the Brightest Stars are those that shine on behalf of others.  I thank my teammates for shining brightly on behalf of their fellow citizens.
SLIDE 2
OCBO promotes competition and innovation in telecommunications ownership and information services. The office also supports opportunities for small, women-owned, and minority-owned communications businesses. Additionally, we provide the Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for Commission items. Over the last 4 years we have posted 71 Small Entity Compliance Guides and worked on approximately 400 Regulatory Flexibility items.
SLIDE 3
One of the ways OCBO has successfully promoted competition and innovation is through our Supplier Diversity Workshops.   Together with the Media Bureau, we have worked with the Digital Empowerment and Inclusion Working Group of the FCC’s Advisory Committee on Diversity & Digital Empowerment --the ACDDE -- to host events that bring together diverse business owners and FCC-related entities who seek suppliers.  These events have been successful and educational.  
SLIDE 4
OCBO has also worked with the ACDDE on other initiatives to empower disadvantaged communities and accelerate the entry of small businesses, including those owned by women and minorities into the media, into industries focused on digital news and information as well audio and video programming. I thank Chairman Pai for his support of and participation in these events. And thanks to Commissioners Rosenworcel and Starks for their support as well. 
SLIDE 5
For the last few years, I have represented the Commission by speaking at the Hope Global Forum. The Forum is operated by Operation Hope in Atlanta, Georgia and it brings together entrepreneurs, influencers, local, state, and federal government officials, and community leaders. The HOPE Global Forums are a community designed to galvanize thought and action around building an economy that works for everyone. The Forum has been an excellent platform to educate and network with folks across the nation about the FCC’s work and mission.  And it has also been a great resource for the FCC to learn from citizens what is going on in their communities and how the FCC may efficiently and effectively serve them.
SLIDE 6
OCBO has participated in the annual STEM4US Cybersecurity Festival in Washington, DC. This Festival is usually held the same weekend as the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference. 
SLIDE 7
The Festival is designed to educate and excite students about cybersecurity and STEM careers. OCBO has also set up an exhibit at the Caucus’ Annual Conference.
SLIDE 8
OCBO has, along with CGB, participated in the annual National Conference of the National Asian American Coalition.  NAAC is one of the nation’s leading Asian American nonprofit organizations, and advocates for homeownership affordability, economic growth in underserved communities, and small business development.
SLIDE 9
The NAAC is the founding member of a sister coalition, the National Diversity Coalition, a nonprofit of diverse community organizers, faith-based leaders and business owners which work together to strengthen communities.
SLIDE 10
When we were not reaching out and engaging with our various partners, OCBO staff wrote and produced a Video Series titled “Did You Know?”; a series of nine short videos designed to educate the public on topics pertaining to small, minority, and women-owned businesses as well as the various functions of OCBO. The series is posted on the FCC’s YouTube page and has been very helpful in succinctly communicating our mission.
SLIDE 11
During the pandemic, OCBO has worked diligently to communicate with and stay connected to those we serve in different ways, including sending out weekly email updates, hosting webinars and participating in virtual events. We will continue to be creative in the mix of ways that we carry out our mission.
Finally, about six months ago, I wrote a piece in Medium after the death of George Floyd.   I concluded that piece with the following words that I hope will guide the FCC and the nation as we all endeavor to make this world a better place:

We are living through history. The future is now. If we are authentic, vulnerable, and honest with ourselves and each other, we can really create a greater place, where we can all breathe. We can do this. Together we go farther.

Thank you.