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WBEA’s April Day Headlines IACCGH Small Business Series, Emphasizes Certification, Capital, and Community
By Somdatta Basu
Houston, TX — Aug. 19, 2025. IACCGH hosted Dr. April Day, president of the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA), for an evening program at Elite Restaurant focused on how small firms can tap certification, procurement, and technical assistance to grow.
Opening the event, supported by Wallis Bank and CentrePoint Energy, IACCGH Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia welcomed sister chambers. “Your presence strengths our commitment to collaboration. We deeply value these partnerships as we celebrate more than 25 years of service to the business community,” he said, adding that the Chamber’s Silver Jubilee Gala is scheduled for September 27.
In her welcome message, IACCGH President Malisha Patel framed the Chamber’s mission – facilitating access to the Houston market, serving as a voice for Indo-American businesses, and enabling professionals and companies to succeed.
Taking the podium, Dr. April Day quickly set the tone with an inclusive message for the entire room. Noting that many men were present, she said, “I know that it says women in the name of our company, but I don’t want you to be afraid because we actually have services and provide programs for you as business owners and your employees as well. So this is a well-rounded engine to support the small business community.”
Dr. Day outlined WBEA’s territory in South Texas and the core services it offers: linking firms to corporate and government procurement through certification; one-on-one advising via two SBA resource centers; and programming that strengthens capabilities – from supplier-diversity matchmaking to pitch coaching.
On certification, she highlighted the Women’s Business Enterprise credential for corporate supply chains and the Women-Owned Small Business credential for federal contracting, alongside Texas’ HUB program. For women-owned certification specifically, WBEA looks for three things, she said: ownership (51%+), independence, and management/control.
Dr. Day shared snapshots of impact from the most recent year-end: about 900 certified businesses in the territory, service to approximately 3,000 firms through support programs, more than 1,800 business connections facilitated, and an estimated $82 billion in economic activity tied to WBEA-supported companies, accounting for close to 37,000 jobs.
To help firms get contract-ready and capital-ready, WBEA runs lender-matchmaking and hands-on advisory. “Make sure that I have access to the dollars,” she urged owners to keep top-of-mind, adding with a smile, “Who doesn’t want access to the dollars?”
Dr. Day announced applications are open for We Elevate, a four-week advanced accelerator (starting Sept. 3) that covers leadership for growth, brand and digital presence (including AI and social), and a sharpened business pitch. Graduates pitch to banks and businesses at the close of the program. By virtue of their participation in the IACCGH event, attendees were invited to email WBEA for automatic entrance, with program fees covered by sponsors.
During Q&A, one attendee asked about the future of corporate DEI-related efforts and whether diversity certifications still help. Dr. Day responded that support remains strong among partners and funders. “We are steadfast and committed to our mission to support the small business community, period, and I have not had a single corporation pull out from the support that is happening at WBEA,” she said. “It may be called something different, but we are not going away because we know that the small businesses are the economic engine.”
She added that WBEA continues to attract new backing and highlighted recent additional bank support and corporate funding for programming. Speaking to organizational values and stability, she noted, “You will always have a place with us as long as you’re great.”
When asked about the cost of technical assistance through the Women’s Business Center, Dr. Day drew applause with a simple answer: “The cost is – oh – zero to you.”
Throughout the evening, speakers underscored collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration and local financial partners such as Wallis Bank, emphasizing that capital access works hand-in-glove with strong business planning.
Pic Credit: Bijay Dixit