MEET Meshelle Howard, WMATA Director of Small Business Programs

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 10, 2023) – Black Wall Street DMV by Metaquake USA and BMORENews.com recognized a host of honorees last Friday in Washington, D.C.

Those honorees included one dynamic woman who has assisted tons of Black businesspeople in the MD-DC region. She is Meshelle Howard, an emerging business’ best friend.

Who is Meshelle? 

Meshelle M.V. Howard, MCA is the Director of Small Business Programs for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). As the Director, Meshelle provides managerial oversight and direction for the following socioeconomic program areas: Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Small Business Certification Program, WMATAs new Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Small Business Program (SBP) and Micro-Business Program(MBP) as defined, regulated and guided by Federal and Local regulations, and WMATA Board Policies. Oversight includes the WMATA Outreach Program which educates, informs, and provides business connections to resources that support the growth and development of small business communities.

Meshelle has over 30 years of effective, efficient, and results-oriented experience in Leadership, Management, Supervision, Team Building, Performance Management and Managing Socioeconomic Programs. She is a take-charge professional with exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to thrive in challenging environments, which showcases her integrity and the ability to be an effective communicator, motivator, and team leader.

Prior to accepting her position at WMATA, Meshelle was the Director of the Civil Rights and Fair Practice division for the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) transportation business unit, where she had oversight of the following Socioeconomic Programs; Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Small Business Reserve (SBR), Veteran Small Business Enterprise (VSBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Title VI and Title VII Programs. Although this was the last position she held before retirement her tenure of twenty-seven years at MDTA afforded her the opportunity to have many achievements for the betterment of the agency and grow in several leadership positions like Chief of Minority Business Enterprise, Senior Contract Analyst and Business Performance Manager to name a few.

Meshelle is a retired State of Maryland Transportation Industry Leader in coaching, educating, and advising Small Minority Women-owned businesses on Business Practices, Certifications, and contracting opportunities. She works tirelessly to strengthen the participation and knowledge base of all small businesses for certification and participation opportunities on Federal, State, and Local contracts through outreach, small gatherings, and panel discussions, because of such efforts over the years Meshelle has received several awards/recognitions and is nationally known and recognized for her dedication and contributions to the Small Business Community on a national basis.

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Meshelle is a United States Army Veteran and participated in three wars serving her country. She is a member and volunteer in several organizations that serve the community and national efforts such as; Catholic Charities, Maryland Public Purchasing Association (MPPA), and The Council of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), where she served as Maryland’s president for two terms and brought a record braking COMTO National conference to Maryland, she served as COMTO National Strategic Planning Committee Chair, COMTO National Council of Presidents Lead, COMTO National Conference Planning Committee and presently on the COMTO National Industry Awards Committee.

Meshelle was awarded the 2020 Daily Record Maryland’s Top 100 Women Award for her advocacy and mentoring of Small Businesses and Community Service. The following are other awards received:

• Baltimore Economic Leadership League: 2022 Maryland Business Advocate Award
• Joe Mann’s 2022 Black Wall Street Award
• Baltimore Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Award 2021
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority 2021 Sustainability Award for Equity
• The Daily Record Top 100 Women in Business 2020
• COMPASS Champion of Diversity and Economic Inclusion 2019
• COMTO National Woman Who Move the Nation Award 2019
• MDOTs Achievement Award for a Woman Who Moves the Nation 2019
• WTS Woman of the Year Award 2018
• Black Wall Street Lifetime Achievement Award 2018
• WTS Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award 2017
• Vital Magazine Humanitarian Award 2017
• Maryland Live Black History Month Hero Award 2015
• Maryland Black Wall Street Award 2014

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