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鈥淚 started a staffing company in 1981 and through the course of business saw both a need and an opportunity,鈥� said Samuel Brooks, chairman of the board for the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME).

Formed in 1987, OAME works to eliminate discrimination and racism, and improve opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned and emerging small businesses. Since its creation, the Portland-based organization has grown to more than 850 members and bills itself as the largest organization of its type in the Pacific Northwest.

The group made headlines last year for its move to new headquarters in the Delta Park area, after it sold its longtime home on North Vancouver Avenue to a developer that planned to turn the property into a mix of apartment units and retail space.

These days, OAME’s members can pick and choose between a list of networking opportunities, luncheons and educational sessions. The organization’s brown bag lunches and 鈥渁ccess to capital鈥� meetings easily attract 140 people at a time. OAME’s annual trade show draws more than 3,000 attendees.

The organization’s success didn’t happen overnight.

When Brooks became the first African-American member of the Portland Chamber of Commerce in 1986, he noticed that minorities and women were poorly represented at functions, indicating to Brooks that there was room for improvement in the local business community.

As he worked tirelessly at his staffing company, S. Brooks and Associates, and with OAME over the years, he began to see positive changes.

While OAME has helped reshape the face of business in general in Portland, one of its most noticeable areas of accomplishment has been in the building industry.

鈥淲e’ve made a big impact in construction,鈥� Brooks said. 鈥淭hirteen of the 15 largest contractors in Oregon are members.聽They come to us and ask, 鈥楬ow can we better serve (MWESB) businesses?’

鈥淔ederal programs that require a portion of the subcontracts go to MWSEB firms have helped by giving incentives, but we’d like to see a day when there’s no need for incentives and businesses give everyone a fair shake because it’s the right thing to do.聽We’re all in this together, and it’s good for all of us.鈥�