Anchor Institution Supplier Diversity Fair Welcome

The following is a transcript of the address given by President James T. Harris III at the Anchor Institution Supplier Diversity Fair on Oct. 16, 2019.

"Thank you, Eduardo, and thanks to the EDC and all the business and community members here today for your leadership as we work together to accelerate economic development in our region.

Colleges and universities are some of the best places in society to develop and foster responsible citizenship. Our role as one of many anchor institutions in San Diego calls on us to work closely with our community to confront society’s toughest issues and become beacons of hope and greater forces for change. This, however, only happens when there are deep, democratic and meaningful partnerships with a shared vision.

One of many very constructive initiatives spearheaded by the EDC and the community that is building strong momentum for economic growth is the Inclusive Growth Commitment. This important initiative and its shared vision, which is also endorsed by the University of San Diego, has an ambitious regional goal to create 50,000 new quality jobs in small businesses by 2030. This requires new ways in which to develop and equip local talent that can bolster regional competitiveness while also addressing San Diego’s affordability crisis.

We all know the innovation economy demands rapid adoption of digital technologies that are transforming the way businesses operate. Skills required by the highest-paying jobs are rapidly evolving.

One way the University of San Diego is confronting these and other business challenges is through an important collaboration with

the San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Centers and the County of San Diego. While The Brink Small Business Development Center at the University of San Diego is still relatively young, it has already been recognized as the number one business incubator in San Diego County.

Under the direction of Mysty Rusk and Noemi Pena, this fruitful partnership supports economic growth in the communities of Chollas, City Heights, Encanto, Linda Vista, Rolando Park and Redwood Village.

Most recently, The Brink collaborated with Supervisor Nathan Fletcher’s office to create Innovate Up.

This initiative empowers small businesses in these local communities with creative tools

for business ideation and formation, branding, product development, marketing, finance, manufacturing and distribution.

Innovate Up has a particular focus on women-owned, minority-owned and veteran-owned businesses.

The University of San Diego is also in the process of evaluating its own operations as we look for ways to become more efficient and effective as a university.

This process includes the way in which we engage in local hiring and buying with businesses, non-profits and other organizations.

We recognize our need to accelerate the transformative impact an anchor institution can make by simply expanding partnerships with local service providers.

Our director of procurement, Theresa Harris, is collaborating with departments across our university to set spending targets specifically with small and minority-owned businesses.

She hosts quarterly supplier diversity workshops and established a program to certify women-owned, minority-owned and veteran-owned local businesses as preferred vendors for the University of San Diego.

One of these local success stories is Irene Castruita, who owns Irene’s Kitchen, in Chula Vista. Irene has catered many USD events, and when she comes to our campus, she doesn’t just bring amazing cuisine. 

She also provides workshops where she shares her passion for healthy eating, making organic foods accessible, and growing community gardens that benefit everyone.

We are inspired by Irene.  Her mission, aligns well with our desire to grow engagements with underrepresented and underserved populations that are accomplishing amazing things in our local communities.

We look forward to working more closely with all of you as we build upon our collaborations with small business owners like Irene who create a more competitive, accessible and inclusive business environment for the benefit of all community members in America’s Finest City.

Thank you for participating in this important event!"