MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A group of minority and women business owners are speaking out in support of a contract recently awarded to Mayor Wharton’s campaign manager, Deidre Malone.
Her company, The Carter Malone Group, was subcontracted to do publicity for the Police Department’s new body cameras.
Some said that smelled of cronyism, but a group fired back at critics on Wednesday.
About a dozen women gathered in front of City Hall to show their support for Malone getting the $880,000 contract.
They challenged those who disagreed to look at the records of others tied to government contracts.
“We do have current City Council people and other elected officials who receive city contracts yet their names are never mentioned in a negative light in the media. So, together women and business owners want to come together and speak out about it,” said London Lamar, a business owner.
This group of women business owners said they all know the mayor, at least one of them wore a campaign button in support of his re-election. However, they said that’s no reason their businesses can’t grow and the same goes for The Carter Malone Group.
“I don’t think that’s a fair argument to say that her relationship with the mayor is allowing her the ability to have a contract,” said Lamar.
Taser International, the company supplying body cameras,chose Malone’s company for a subcontract to do public relations.
Beverly Robertson said her marketing company was invited to apply but didn’t because what she calls a conflict of interest.
She applauded her competition for winning the contract.
“That process was certainly communicated fairly. It was communicated equitably . They made a choice. That’s a private business. Private business can hire the businesses that they choose to hire,” she said.
The group believed Malone is being singled out unfairly because she’s black and a woman.
They pointed to Congressman Steve Cohen’s past campaign treasurer, real estate developer Henry Turley, whose company received millions in contracts from the federal government. The group also pointed to the long list of donors for mayoral candidate Jim Strickland who have contracts with the city although neither Strickland nor Cohen actually sign off on deals.
“Her role on the mayor’s campaign does not stop her firm’s growth anymore than Strickland’s consultants on his team have to stop their firm’s growth,” said Danielle Inez, business owner.
Jim Strickland called Wednesday’s announcement a desperate attempt to draw attention away from why this PR contract is necessary.
Meanwhile, the supporters said the controversy over the contract opens the door for another conversation long overdue. That is a conversation about the lack of women and minorities awarded city contracts which is about one percent a year.
Councilwoman Wanda Halbert has planned a meeting with women and minority businesses to address their concerns.
The National Association of Women Business Owners has also pledged to walk more women through the process of landing city contracts so they’ll have a fairer seat at the table.
You can find more information about them, by clicking here.