Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs

View of the room at an OAME Networking meeting

“Everybody’s In, Nobody’s Out”


Come and check out our organization established in 1987.
We support all organizations, businesses, and nonprofits.
If you’re in business not making a profit, you’re going out of business.

Mission and Impact


OAME is a non-profit, tax-exempt membership organization founded in 1987 with the mission to promote and develop entrepreneurship and economic development for ethnic minorities in the State of Oregon & SW Washington. OAME focuses on providing support services to small businesses.

We are an all-inclusive organization and encourage everyone to live by our motto:

37th Annual Trade Show
and Luncheon

May 8, 2025 / Oregon Convention Center

37th Annual OAME Trade Show flyer

What Our Members Say

Slide
“OAME has helped me gain visibility with larger clients. Being a member has solidified my
vision, increased my focus and turned me into a marketing machine. OAME teaches small
businesses to become more successful.”

Neil Lee
owner of LEEKA Architecture and Planning

Slide
“OAME takes the weight of doubt from your shoulders that all entrepreneurs experience.
Their meetings give me the confidence of knowing that possibilities are out there. During their
last Contractors meeting, I made notes of who I wanted to network with after the meeting. To
my surprise, I barely got out of the chair and I had 3-4 people approaching me for potential
business.”

Tyrone Bailey
owner of Bailey’s Construction Unlimited

Slide
“OAME really opened my eyes to the business opportunities out there. I know I wouldnt be
where I am today or even know a fraction of the valuable contacts I have now without being a
member. The OAME networking meetings feel like one family all in a large room.”

Debbie Rockaway
owner of Allsource Construction Supply

Slide
“OAME not only made NWR Construction, but revitalized and saved us.  Everyone I’ve met,
from contacts and customers to employees and clients are the result of my connection with
OAME.  It’s unbelievable to think that I almost started looking for a job when the recession hit
and now here we are with 13 employees.”

Ron Downey
owner of NWR Construction, Inc.

Slide
“OAME has helped my business tremendously because of the networking.  These meetings are
where I’ve met a lot of the folks that ultimately became clients.  It’s the best place to gain
access to people important to your success and an easy way to follow up with them.”

Rajiv Ali
owner of RhinoOne Geotechnical

Slide
“Becoming a member of OAME and coming to the meetings has laid the foundation for
making more contacts in the city. I am meeting decision makers in person rather than trying
to cold call them over several months time.”

Justin Hopkins
owner of Cortez Creative’s Portland division

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Thank you to our 2024 Gold Sponsors

Umpqua Bank
City of Portland logo
Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Human Services
Oregon Health Sciences University logo
Founding Chair Sam Brooks with Chair Summer Fowler

Our Core Services


  • Technical Assistance
  • Networking
  • Marketing
  • Access to Capital
  • Business Incubator

For over 30 years, OAME has supported thousands of businesses and individuals representing Minority-Owned, Woman-Owned, Emerging Small Business, and Service-Disabled Veteran Business enterprises (MWESBDV).

Thank you to our 2024 Silver Sponsors

PGE (Portland General Electric)
Port of Portland
Otak logo
Business SOS, Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon Liquor Control Commission
Nike logo
Multnomah County
Metro government logo
Levy logo

Monthly Networking Meetings

OAME members meet twice each month with over 100 business owners and others attending each meeting:

  • Contractors, Architects, Engineers, & Professional Technical (CAEPT) Networking — 2nd Friday of the month, 7:30 am
  • Coffee & Issues Forum — Last Friday of the month, 7:30 am

Learn about new businesses, upcoming events, projects and bids, resources, employment, and business opportunities.

Thank you to our 2024 Bronze Sponsors

Anderson Construction
Wells Fargo
Walsh Construction Co,
US Bank logo
University of Oregon
Turner Construction Company
TriMet logo
Skanska logo
RS&H logo
Prosper Portland
Portland State University
Portland Community College
Pacific Power logo
Oregon Department of Transportation
Mortenson logo
Northwest River Partners
Kiewit
JE Dunn
Howard S Wright company logo
Hoffman Construction Company
HDR logo
Business Oregon logo
Business Tribune
Washington County Oregon
OAME office main entrance

OAME, 731 N Hayden Meadows Drive, Portland, OR 97217