Dakota Communications

08/13/2024

With the Paris Olympics on the world stage, many of us were enthusiastic about breakdancing making its debut!

Unifying all cultures on a global scale, this international dance sport event was full of artistic expression and physical strength that showcased the vast disciplines of athleticism in the Olympics.

Please support breakdancing for LA28 and its inclusion in all future Olympic Games by posting on your social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

(Photo courtesy of the 2024 Paris Olympics)

04/22/2024

This Friday, April 26th, & Saturday, April 27th, First AME Church will be honoring and celebrating the tremendous legacy of Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray!

The Hon. Rev. Cecil "Chip" Murray was the legendary former pastor of First AME Church Los Angeles and was a compelling visionary leader during some of Los Angeles' toughest times.

For more information, please contact the family at [email protected].

04/06/2024

I am saddened by the passing Friday night of Rev Cecil "Chip" Murray, the legendary former pastor of First AME Church Los Angeles. He was a compelling visionary leader during some of Los Angeles' toughest times. He was comfortable with some of Los Angeles most powerful leaders but he was most at peace when he counseled, helped and socialized with less fortunate Angelenos. He was my pastor, my mentor but more importantly he was my friend. Rest in peace Chip, you were a giant !! - Kerman Maddox, Managing Partner at Dakota Communications

03/15/2024

Last Thursday, USC hosted its 2nd Annual Business ACCESSC Summit “Paving Pathways for Success” that brought together hundreds of local and small community businesses to ensure that they are included in USC opportunities and networks. USC Leadership emphasized their commitment to the institution's priority of expanding access and opportunity to local community businesses that increases their local economic impact.

This impactful event included an insightful fireside chat “Successes, Challenges, and Pivots on the Pathways to Improve Business Access at USC” with special guest panelists Greg Dulan, owner of Dulan’s on Crenshaw; Shoneji Robison, Co-owner of Southern Girl Desserts; Josephina Acosta, Owner of MX3030; Vaughn Williams, SoCal Gas and Boardmember of the LA LGBTQ Chamber; Darrel Sauceda, Chairman of the LA Latino Chamber; and Angela Gibson-Shaw, President of the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce.

Additional VIP Speakers from USC Leadership included Samuel Garrison, SVP of University Relations; Stacy Roberts Giwa, VP of Culture, Ethics and Compliance; Effie Turnbull Sanders, VP of Civic Engagement & Economic Partnerships; Dr. Michele G. Turner, AVP of Business Opportunity; Dion Jackson, Program Director of the Center for Economic Development.

Photos Credit: Karim Saafir Photography

03/04/2024

Dakota in the news! A big thank you for everyone who participated in the Supplier Diversity Fair at LADWP!

Dakota Communications: Leading the Way in Diversity and Inclusion February 29, 2024 | 0 Kerman Maddox, Dakota Communications, Marty Adams, General Manager, LADWP, Ingrid Merriweather, Merriweather Insurance, Gene Hale, GLAAACC, Dominique Diprima, KBLA Radio and Greg Reed, DEI Office, LADWP. By Glori...

02/28/2024

During African American History Month, we organized a Supplier Diversity Fair at LADWP on February 22nd designed to highlight the importance of promoting business development, economic development and wealth creation.

The event brought together Primes, City Agencies and Affordable Housing Organizations to meaningfully interact with hundreds of local, small, minority and under-served businesses in Los Angeles. A big thank you to the Co-Sponsors of the event: Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), METRO, Metropolitan Water District of Southern CA (MWD), and the City of LA’s Bureau of Engineering as well as the participating Primes, City Agencies and Affordable Housing Organizations such as AECOM, BECHTEL, CLARK CONSTRUCTION, City of LA, Board of Public Works- Contract Administration, HDR, JACOBS ENGINEERING, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), KIEWIT, West Basin Municipal Water District, PCL, SKANSA, Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services, WEBCOR BUILDERS, National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC), WILLDAN, Affordable Housing Developers Association (SCANPH), WSP USA, Abode Communities, Linc Housing, and the Venice Community Housing.

The event also featured a Roundtable Panel Discussion that was moderated by our MC Dominique DiPrima from KBLA 1580 AM Radio, with VIP Panelists Ingrid Merriwether, President & CEO of Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services, and Gene Hale, Chairman of the Greater LA African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAACC), for an engaging conversation on the importance of promoting business, economic development and diversity during African American History Month.

We are truly proud of the great turn out as well as the DWP Leadership that showed their support towards initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion!

01/31/2024

Celebrate African American History Month with LADWP and register today at the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ladwp-supplier-diversity-fair-tickets-781653535767?aff=oddtdtcreator

LADWP’s Supplier Diversity Fair is celebrating African American History Month and Advancing Economic Opportunities on Thursday, February 22nd from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Headquarters located at 111 North Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90012. With special catering from Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen!

We are inviting local, small and disadvantaged businesses to attend for an opportunity to network and get connected with Prime Contractors and City Agencies for potential contracting opportunities on current and upcoming projects in the Los Angeles region.

Moderated by our MC Dominique DiPrima from KBLA 1580 AM Radio, the event will feature a Roundtable Panel Discussion with VIP Panelists Ingrid Merriwether, President & CEO of Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services, and Gene Hale, Chairman of the Greater LA African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAACC), for an engaging conversation on the importance of promoting business, economic development and diversity during African American History Month.

While LADWP is leading this effort, we are proud to have the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO), Metropolitan Water District of S. CA (MWD), and the Board of Public Works Bureau of Engineering as partners at this event.

LADWP is fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their public contracting efforts.

01/24/2024

Celebrate African American History Month with LADWP!

We hope you will join us for LADWP’s Supplier Diversity Fair celebrating African American History Month and Advancing Economic Opportunities, on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Headquarters located at 111 North Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90012. With special catering from Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen!

We are inviting local, small and disadvantaged businesses to attend for an opportunity to network and get connected with Prime Contractors and City Agencies for potential contracting opportunities on current and upcoming projects in the Los Angeles region.

While LADWP is leading this effort, we are proud to have the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO), Metropolitan Water District of S. CA (MWD), and the Board of Public Works Bureau of Engineering as partners at this event.

Please register through the QR code or at the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ladwp-supplier-diversity-fair-tickets-781653535767?aff=oddtdtcreator

12/14/2023

Looking for great gift ideas? How about “Just Say Hello” for the Holidays!

Started by our Managing Partner Kerman Maddox in 2020, “Just Say Hello” is a LA-based social justice initiative that encourages meaningful conversations to bridge the ever widening divisions within our black, brown and minority communities.

By waving hello, this friendly gesture of a simple greeting becomes a random act of kindness that reminds us of each other’s humanity, especially now more than ever, during this holiday season and beyond.

So spread some holiday cheer this season with "Just Say Hello" by checking out the swag available at our web store and enjoy 30% off all merch! Join the movement

12/08/2023

Looking for great gift ideas? How about “Just Say Hello” for the Holidays!

Started by our Managing Partner Kerman Maddox in 2020, “Just Say Hello” is a LA-based social justice initiative that encourages meaningful conversations to bridge the ever widening divisions within our black, brown and minority communities.

By waving hello, this friendly gesture of a simple greeting becomes a random act of kindness that reminds us of each other’s humanity, especially now more than ever, during this holiday season and beyond.

So spread some holiday cheer this season with "Just Say Hello" by checking out the swag available at our web store and enjoy 30% off all merch! Join the movement
https://shop.justsayhello.org/

11/03/2023

Yesterday, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power hosted their Supplier Diversity Fair at their headquarters bringing together Primes and City Agencies to meaningfully interact with small businesses. A big thank you to the Co-Sponsors of the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), METRO Los Angeles, Metropolitan Water District of Southern CA, and LA Sanitation as well as to the participating Primes and City Agencies such as the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works Bureau of Contract Administration and the Bureau of Engineering, Webcor, SKANSA, BECHTEL, KIEWIT, PCL, Clark Construction, WSP USA, HDR, AECOM, JACOBS ENGINEERING, Willdan, CDM SMITH & McCarthy Construction, RAMP LA, the National Association of Minority Contractors and Merriwether & Williams Insurance SE.

We are truly proud of the great turn out as well as the Civic and DWP Leadership that showed their support towards initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion!

10/27/2023

Happening next Thursday! Join us LADWP’s upcoming Supplier Diversity Fair on November 2nd from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) headquarters located at 111 North Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90012.

We are inviting local, small and disadvantaged businesses to attend for an opportunity to network and get connected with Prime Contractors and City Agencies with potential contracting opportunities on current and upcoming infrastructure and public works projects in the Los Angeles region.

While LADWP is leading this effort, we are proud to have the Office of LA Mayor Karen Bass as a participant as well as the support of the Los Angeles World Airports, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment, and other City of Los Angeles departments represented as partners at this event.

Register soon through the Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ladwp-supplier-diversity-fair-tickets-718162091147

We look forward to seeing you there! Complimentary parking will be available for all attendees.

LADWP is fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their public contracting efforts.

SAVE THE DATE! Make Prime Connections at LADWP’S Supplier Diversity Fair Meet, Connect, Do Business with Prime Contractors!