Nadine Bartholomew

Writer Editor @Minority Business Development Agency - U.S. Department Of Commerce

The U.S. Department of Commerce\'s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) advances Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) nationwide through a network of Business Centers & technical-assistance programs that expand access to capital, contracts & markets.I was surprised & very interested when a former colleague recommended this opportunity to me. It was even more rewarding to learn that my prior experience at the Census Bureau helped me land the role. From day one, I felt welcomed & confident I could make a difference.When I joined MBDA, my role came with clear priorities— Designing & executing public-affairs & media strategies to raise visibility & strengthen engagement across government, business & community partners— Leading content for campaigns, newsletters & national events to highlight initiatives & funding opportunities— Collaborating with teams & partners to ensure clear, consistent, mission-driven communication across platforms.Not long after I arrived, a colleague became seriously ill & his workload was transferred to me. It was a lot at once, but I organized the portfolio, kept projects moving & earned strong feedback from peers & leadership.During my tenure at MBDA, I successfully: Developed 30+ executive speeches & remarks for leadership, including the 2024 MED Week Keynote, earning strong media & stakeholder response. Secured national coverage with ABC News & MBNUSA, increasing visibility of minority-business initiatives by 40%. Strengthened executive communications through personalized coaching, rehearsal & delivery support for senior leaders. Managed the MBDA “Success Stories” campaign spotlighting Business Center achievements & driving engagement across public & private sectors.I’m proud of the impact we made, & that experience continues to shape how I approach every communications challenge today.