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November 12, 2022

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Tracy to support, grow National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development's eastern region, federal policy, programs

MESA, AZ – Jessamyn Tracy has joined The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (The National Center) as a project director for its Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center. The position is made possible by a partnership with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s CREATE/NCGrowth, which is a multi-state economic development center that envisions an economy that distributes wealth equitably. Tracy will be based in The National Center’s Washington, DC office, where she will focus on supporting and growing the organization’s clients in the eastern region, as well as relevant federal policy and programs.
 
“Jessamyn Tracy is a tremendous addition to the growing and talented team at The National Center,” said Chris James, President and CEO of The National Center. “Her presence in our nation’s capital will be a tremendous benefit for both current and future clients in the eastern United States, as well for our work on Capitol Hill and with federal agencies. We owe a debt of gratitude to UNC-Chapel Hill for making this position possible. I look forward to working with Jessamyn and continuing this productive partnership with CREATE/NCGrowth.”
 
Tracy has more than 20 years of experience working with federal, state, and local agencies providing technical assistance, training, and consulting services. One of her focus areas was helping tribal communities build their response to violent crimes, particularly gendered violence. She has worked with nonprofits of all sizes serving national, local, and regional areas, helping them to build capacity and better fulfill their missions. Prior to her current position, Tracy worked for the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center, Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, the National Center for Victims of Crime, and Alfred University.  

"Working with tribal governments and Indigenous-owned businesses is a foundational pillar of our approach to economic development,” said Mark Gabriel Little, Executive Director for CREATE/NCGrowth. “We are humbled by this partnership with National Center which brings new opportunities to learn from their phenomenal successes and to achieve our mutual goals of furthering wealth generation and economic opportunity among Indigenous communities across North America.  We are very excited to work closely with Jessamyn and the rest of The National Center team.”

Tracy has taught courses in research, social sciences, data analysis, and criminology at Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Alfred University, and Shenandoah University. She holds a BA in English Literature from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Florida State University, and the Public Leadership Credential from the Harvard Kennedy School. Originally from Alaska, Ms. Tracy has resided in the Washington, DC area for more than a decade.  
 
“I’m excited to join the dedicated and passionate team at The National Center,” said Tracy. “They do crucial work to support and connect Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs and business owners with both mentorship and capital, helping to build capacity and expertise within the broader community. The partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill allows both organizations to do their best work together. I look forward to growing The National Center’s client base and improving federal support for the next generation of Native business owners.”

Tracy will be at The National Center's next Native Edge Institute in Washington, DC, taking place on November 17 and 18. To register for this free business training and matchmaking event, click here.

CONTACT:

Lewis Lowe (The National Center): [email protected] or 706-302-8404
Mark Gabriel Little (CREATE/NC Growth): [email protected] or 919-962-1041
 
About the National Center: The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With over 50 years of assisting American Indian Tribes and their enterprises with business and economic development – The National Center has evolved into the largest national Indian specific business organization in the nation serving over 500 clients and providing over $4 billion in contracts to its clients. The National Center has nine offices throughout the nation with its home office located in Mesa, Arizona. The National Center is actively engaged in helping Tribal Nations and Native business people realize their business goals and are dedicated to putting the whole of Indian Country to work to better the lives of American Indian people - both now...and for generations to come.
 
About CREATE/NCGrowth: CREATE/NCGrowth is a national center based at UNC Chapel Hill that is helping businesses, governments, and other organizations create good jobs, equitable economies, and new wealth in distressed communities. Driven by the vision of an economy that provides opportunities for all to prosper, we provide transformational technical assistance; produce useful research; develop innovative policy; and host unique convenings. Our programs include Anchor Institutions Create Economic Resilience (AICER); SmartUp; Homegrown Tools; and the Black Communities Conference. With staff in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington, DC, our work is local, state, national and international in scope.