Irving administrator helping out minority and women-owned businesses

by Tessa Howington of North Dallas Gazette

“To do my duty to God and my country . . . To help other people at all times” are not just lines from the Boy Scout Oath, but also words that Anthony Coleman took to heart and still lives by today.

Anthony Coleman, the Minority and/or Women Business Enterprises (M/WBE) Program Administrator for the City of Irving, assists minority- and women-owned businesses in competing for city business and helping them through the procurement process.

Anthony helps a business become registered as a City vendor, helps them learn how to bid on city projects, and how to work with the City to complete a project. Most businesses that are owned by minorities or women are small businesses, and have no idea how to bid against larger firms for city contracts. The M/WBE Program levels the playing field and encourages involvement in the community, no matter how large or small the business.

The City of Irving believes that the “utilization of women owned businesses is a priority.” The City wants to give small businesses, especially those that are minority or women owned, a chance to compete with large firms for project bids. The M/WBE Program is a way for the City to give back to the local community and help its citizens take pride and interest in city development while also stimulating the local economy.

Anthony has been with the City of Irving for about four weeks. However, he is hardly inexperienced. A “transplant” from Atlanta, Georgia, Anthony recently retired, at 54, from the City of Dallas after 26 years. During that time, he was running similar programs, along with housing and economic development programs, for Dallas. Also, he currently sits on the board of the North Central Texas Certification Agency, which is an organization much like the program he oversees for the City of Irving.

Anthony has led a whole life of service, starting when he joined Boy Scout Troop #652 in Georgia. He eventually became patrol leader and finished an Eagle Scout before going to Georgia State University.

Always being interested in city government, he earned a degree in Urban Administration from GSU. He decided to pursue a profession in community and career development because he wants to “be able to help others achieve their goals.” He believes that there is nothing “more rewarding than helping someone else achieve a long term goal.”

But Anthony’s service extends beyond city governments and business relations. Besides singing in his church’s choir, he enjoys working with children, and has been a participant in the Big Brother Big Sisters of America program. Coleman currently serves as superintendent of his church’s, St. Paul A.M.E., school, and coaches his 11-year-old son’s soccer team. He also hopes to volunteer at elementary schools in the future, working with young children, especially inner city boys who may not have a positive male role model in their life.

His inspiration to work with children comes from his own experiences. His father died when he was 11, so he knows that growing up without a dad can be difficult. Fortunately, his Scout Master, Jay Fountain, became a role model and somewhat of a surrogate father.

Anthony feels that having that male presence, someone who was a constant and tangible role model, made all the difference in his life. Jay kept him "grounded,” and Anthony believes that being able to give that foundation to other children, who may not be fortunate enough to have a father, for whatever reason, is important.

If you think registering your business as a vendor with the City of Irving will help you achieve your goals, Anthony will be happy to help. Feel free to contact his office, Financial Service/Purchasing for the City of Irving, at 972-721-3753, or online at www.cityofirving.com. You, or your business, do not have to be located in Irving. And if you have any other questions, please call and ask, because it “doesn’t cost anything to share info.”