Darrell Pierce breaks down local Austin Politics
ABBJ: Why is important to vote in the midterm election November 6th?
Pierce: The results of this year’s midterm elections will be vital — not just in shaping the future of current presidency, but in shaping the American political landscape for at least a generation.
The makeup of the whole House of Representatives is at stake, a third of the Senate, 36 governorships, many state legislature seats, and critical local races. With there being so many races nationally and locally it is easy to feel overwhelmed or undecided. For Texas and the national political scene, the outcome of Senate race between Cruz and Beto could be huge.
But to understand why the midterm question of who wins is so important — it’s worth reflecting on the big picture of a part of what’s at stake.
Depending on how well Democrats do, the party could completely change the trajectory of the Republican legislative agenda in Congress, but if Democrats do poorly, they could feel the consequences of their failure for at least a generation.
That is to say: If Republicans hold Congress, they could revive their legislative agenda and have another shot at passing sweeping new laws. Accordingly, Democrats would continue to be in a defensive position of blocking without any real substantive agenda that can get the necessary votes — potentially giving the GOP an opportunity to tip the Supreme Court and other key judicial appointments further in a conservative direction. Unfortunately, working across political isles continues to become a lost art and needs to be found again for America to reach is optimized potential for serving all Americans.
Further, depending on which party prevails the most in state elections, will be best positioned to frame how district maps will be drawn for another decade — all the way through 2030
Regardless of your political ideology or party affiliation, don’t’ get frustrated or detoured by the number of races. It is incredibly important that you remember politics start at the local level and finish in Washington DC. And in order to impact real change you have to stay diligent, engaged, informed, and focused on voting through the entire ballot.
ABBJ: Which political races are important to the city of Austin?
Pierce: Stay focused on the City Council races. When you look at Austin right now we are in a very unique transformational phase. The city just hired a new city manager (Spencer Cronk, hired Feb.2018). Spencer is coming in with an unprecedented amount of responsibility and discretion for hiring more executive positions than normal. Depending on who is elected as Mayor and to City Council will influence the type of people this city manager hires to help drive the strategic plan and vision that has been established by the current Austin City Council (Council). We do operate in a city manager form of government. While there is an enormous amount of power and decision making authority entrusted in the City Manager, this position reports directly to Council and Council reports directly to the community.
Who we elect in elections matters. If we’re not participating in that process, then we minimize our voice from ringing about what concerns may most adversely impact our community. If we are not actively participating in the process, we put ourselves in a very compromising position to be disappointed about the outcomes.
ABBJ: What should voters be looking for in a candidate?
Pierce: At the top of the list should be honesty, transparency, ability to listen, and solid grasp of the issues that are most important to you. A proven track record for thinking critically and creatively combined with a willingness to take action and make decisions outside of the traditional box.
ABBJ: Do local elections matter more than national ones? Why?
Pierce: All elections are important, but the magnitude of importance will change based on different reasons during different seasons. And may have a different level of impact on your quality of life based on the challenges we face in the here and now. Local elections tend to have more of impact on your daily life, while national politics have more of an impact on your overall life. Local elections tend to be easier to influence and produce short term results. But, both at some point and time impact the other. It is incredibly important that you remember politics starts at the local level and finish in Washington DC.
ABBJ: What is the state of Black Business in Central Texas?
Pierce: Having served in a Senior Management role leading small business development across the State of Texas, and for the past 18 years as CEO & President of SNAP Management Group Inc., I am concerned that while maybe gaining ground in certain sectors, but losing ground rapidly in others.
Recently we received a solicitation communication from a government entity requesting for minority and women owned business participation for a local construction project. The following were advertised set goals to be achieved by prime contractors:
HUB Goals: African American: 1.7%
Hispanic: 8.1%
Asian/Native American: 1.9%
WBE: 10.2%
Project Trade Summary
This picture clearly shows we have the lowest goal on the list and this is a trend I am starting see across government sectors. While there are many business availability variables that go into setting disparity goals, we have some work to do in developing, and sustaining African American Owned Businesses. While many minority owned business certification programs across the country will guaranty business, they do have an impact on how aggressive various programs can be designed.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is conducting a disparity study of its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) programs to ensure all businesses have equal access to compete for its contracting opportunities and current programs remain legally defensible and administratively successful.
The study will provide information to help TxDOT set DBE and HUB goals; monitor the programs; and assist firms to do business with the Department. Participating in disparity studies is one way to help ensure our respective companies or firms are included to impact study results and recommendations.
To participate in a two hours session that is best suited to your business, please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6QCFWVX. The link will generate a short survey, which will place you in the appropriate interview group.
ABBJ: What should black businesses be looking for?
Pierce: Creating opportunities to collaborate with other business partners, leveraging knowledge within your circles, and identify creative means for generating funding. We should be reminded African Americans (AA) have been more likely to start a business than any other community in the United States, and AA millennia’s are even more interested in entrepreneurship than past generations, and AA women are the fastest growing group of U.S. business owners in the past 20 years.
As the U.S. rate of entrepreneurship has declined in the past 25-30 years, entrepreneurial activity in the African American community has increased. One of our biggest challenges appears to be access to capital to market and grow those businesses through market cycles. Technology is making a little easier to be creative about strategies for raising capital. Crownfunding or similar models may be an option to consider.
Equity crowdfunding increased the pool of eligible investors in the U.S. by at least 250 million people. Most equity crowdfunding campaigns are run when companies are young, during a company’s seed investment round. Converting fans and consumers into investors is the key for entrepreneurs interested in running equity crowdfunding campaigns. Entrepreneurs should first decide that equity crowdfunding is right for their business. Startups running equity crowdfunding campaigns must disclose a significant amount of financial information.
Investors in equity crowdfunding campaigns mostly fill the role similar to angel investors. They invest after the company has some traction, but while the startup is still young. Do your homework and find the best crowdfunding or other funding model for your venture.
