Amanda Smith, President, Native American Business Association
In an interview with Invest:, Amanda Smith, president of the Native American Business Association, talked about expanding the association’s initiatives to further elevate Native-owned businesses, why it continues to build partnerships with international stakeholders through trade missions, and how Dallas is supporting Native-owned businesses.
What have been the key highlights for the Native American Business Association within the past 12 months?
This year marks our fifth year – and we started just before the pandemic. Obviously, we were affected by it, but we managed to grow through a strong virtual presence. Thanks to our continued outreach and the relationships we have built with the Australian government and Canadian officials, we have been able to expand our initiatives. More importantly, we have strengthened our outreach efforts to support and grow native- and tribally-owned businesses across the United States.
Another key event that we are approaching is the Collective Impact Expo. Two years ago, when we hosted a trade mission with Australian delegates here in the United States, we used the term “collective impact” to describe that collaboration. We were working closely with them, and now we are continuing to build on that concept. On Oct. 25, 2024, we are hosting the Australian delegates for a second time. It will be two back-to-back groups.
The timing is special because it aligns with American Airlines’ launch of its first direct flight to Brisbane, Australia, from Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW) Airport on Oct. 26. We are kicking off the trade mission with the first group here in the DFW area, and the Collective Impact Expo will feature as part of this. The expo will highlight as many Native businesses as we can gather, giving them a platform to showcase their offerings. These businesses will have tables and booths, and our special guests will be the Australian delegates.
Another exciting development is the launch of our first Student Chapter at the University of Michigan. We are excited to engage the next generation of Native entrepreneurs through this initiative to focus on fostering relationships, creating opportunities for Native businesses, and furthering our collective impact in the region.
What opportunities does the trade mission between the U.S. and Australian governments bring to Native American businesses, and to the North Texas community?
Both the U.S. and Australian governments place significant importance on Indigenous business and commerce. That is why we received funding from the Biden administration to host those trade missions. North Texas has a large Native population, particularly since we are so close to the Oklahoma border. As a result, we have many Native-owned businesses in this area.
This trade mission offers unique opportunities and partnerships for Native-owned businesses. Texas also has several programs aimed at supporting minority-owned businesses, which can benefit the Native business community here. For instance, the city of Dallas has been supportive of overcoming barriers for Native-owned businesses. They do not require third-party certifications, which many other cities do. Instead, they accept native or tribal certifications, which really opens doors for businesses here.
A great example is the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center project, which is a multibillion-dollar project. For this project, the city of Dallas is offering two additional points on submission evaluations for contractors with fully diverse teams. This creates opportunities for Native-owned businesses, as well as Asian-owned businesses, both of which are often underrepresented. It is an incredible opportunity and something no one else is doing, which makes it a huge win for businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
How would you describe the economic development landscape for Native American-owned businesses in North Texas, and what are some opportunities you see?
One thing to note is that Texas has received one of the largest amounts of federal funding for infrastructure and transportation, more than any other state, through the DOT program. This funding opens a range of opportunities for businesses across various sectors, especially in construction. Our tribal communities have also been receiving funding for tribal transportation initiatives, broadband, and wireless projects.
Native-owned businesses are in a unique position. They can leverage opportunities within their tribal communities while also applying their expertise to local municipalities. This creates partnerships with non-Native companies that may have more capacity but lack the specific experience our Native businesses possess. It is a win-win situation that allows Native businesses to expand their reach and contribute to both tribal and local economies.
What are some of the challenges and opportunities for Native communities in North Texas, particularly in construction and real estate?
When it comes to housing, North Texas itself does not have federally recognized Native communities that receive direct federal housing funding. Texas has three federally recognized tribes, but they are all located outside the metroplex. However, there are companies here that are working on tribal housing projects within those communities.
Even though we do not have direct tribal housing projects in North Texas, the same concept applies to local housing initiatives. There is significant funding available for low-income housing, and we are seeing a rise in multifamily floor plans and concepts. Our businesses that have worked on tribal housing projects can bring their past experience and lessons learned to local municipalities like Dallas and Fort Worth. This allows them to compete and contribute to larger projects here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, applying what they have learned from working in tribal communities, further expanding opportunities for Native-owned businesses in construction and real estate.
What strategies are you employing to strengthen the ties between Native American businesses across Texas, especially Houston?
We are trying to address a real need, and Houston was one area where that need was especially present. We launched our business there, and we continue to serve as advocates for Native American businesses. One of the challenges is that the city of Houston does not recognize Native businesses as minority-owned businesses for construction projects. That is something we are working on, to be that voice and advocate.
What we have heard from our members, regardless of where they are, is that they want to meet and connect with other Native businesses. Our focus has been to advocate, be that voice, and to also be that connector, not just among Native businesses but between Native and non-Native businesses. It is about creating awareness and building those connections.
What is the importance of networking opportunities, and how is the association facilitating connections among its members and the business community in the region?
One of the ways we have been fostering that connectivity is through our quarterly networking mixers. We put a strong focus on our Native businesses, although anyone is welcome to attend. These events are sponsored by a Native business, which pays a small sponsorship fee, and then we cover the rest of the costs. The sponsor can decide whether they want the event to be a lunch, breakfast, or evening gathering, and they also choose the location, so it does not always have to be in Dallas — it could be in Fort Worth or elsewhere.
At these events, we also partner with other Native organizations to create awareness about their presence. We especially try to highlight nonprofit organizations, because they often get forgotten. We want people to be aware of the different ways they can donate their time or money. Additionally, with our upcoming Collective Impact expo, only Native businesses will be allowed to have tables and booths, along with our sponsors. The goal is to showcase the strength and diversity of Native businesses, which operate across a variety of industries and areas of expertise.
