Pamela Standing (Cherokee) has been named the Minnesota Minority Small Business Champion of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The award is presented annually in each state to individuals who assist small businesses through outstanding advocacy efforts on behalf of minority-owned small businesses.
In 2007, Standing started the Minnesota Indian Business Alliance (MNIBA) as a volunteer with no compensation and is co-chair. Prior to starting the MNIBA, she was the Executive Director the Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce where she promoted American Indian businesses.
The Minnesota Indian Business Alliance is a statewide all-volunteer organizational collaborative working to promote an economic environment that supports the development of American Indian businesses. Since 2007, Standing has recruited over 130 organizational partners statewide. She is an entrepreneur herself creating gourmet baked goods. For more info about MNIBA, see: http://www.mniba.org
