“And I looked, and it was Phil Petite. I hadn’t seen him in 20 years. Ever since then, it’s been more about helping minority firms get a chance to participate.”
Key said as a developer he’s in a position where he doesn’t just look for people, but makes decisions.
“We just don’t hope it happens,” he said. “We make it happen. Sometimes that means sticking with people who fail. But we do it all down the line from general contractor to contractor to subcontractor to employee.”
Now, however, the problem for Black businesses is different. Pittsburgh, he said, is at the stage where it’s not a question of finding minority businesses.
“The problem is—will it be you,” he said. “There’s a sense that you can do okay if you don’t rock the boat. But it’s the people that rocked the boat who allowed us in.”
Key urged the audience to get vocal about their companies, their capabilities and their talents.
“I have more people calling me than I need to call,” he said “I have 350 people in my database and maybe 20 of them are plumbers. But they aren’t here—he is (indicating new chamber member Alex Beasley). And he’s talking to my team over at the table. And you have to be at the table to play in the game.”
“We’re in a good place now,” he continued. “But you need to go to fundraisers, receptions, stay involved. You have to get out there—because I am.”
(Send comments to cmorrow@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
About Post Author
