Walker named Minority Enterprise Development Advocate of the Year

This article appeared in the August 2017 edition of the Chickasaw Times

Bailey Walker, coordinator of the Chickasaw Nation’s Preferred Vendor Program, has been chosen as the 2017 Minority Enterprise Development Advocate of the Year.

Each year an award recipient is designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency.

Mr. Walker’s expertise is in seeking out and building relationships with qualified minority-owned businesses as a way of providing them the opportunity to perform work for the Chickasaw Nation.

He said his department’s outreach is not limited to Chickasaw citizens.

“We provide a multitude of services to all minorities,” he said. “That includes Chickasaws, non-Chickasaw Native Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, women, and disabled veterans.”

Mr. Walker said 85 percent of Oklahoma’s economy is powered by the efforts of men and women operating small businesses.

“I firmly believe what I’ve heard Gov. Anoatubby state many times, ‘The rising tide raises all ships.’ We’re able to showcase what we do and bring back great opportunities for the Chickasaw Nation to find products or services for mutual advantage.”

He said the rising tide can take many forms.

“In this case it’s in the form of knowledge and resources. We’re able to showcase what we do and bring back those great opportunities for the Chickasaw Nation to find products or services for mutual benefit.”

When Mr. Walker joined the preferred vendor program in 2015 it boasted 247 participating vendors. Today that number has mushroomed to 600, with 591 of those having been qualified based on their minority status.

Mr. Walker credits Gov. Anoatubby’s leadership for the program’s success.

He also credits his grandfather, the late Adam Walker, for providing him with the example of service to others. Adam Walker is a member of the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame and was the first artisan to be honored with a Silver Feather Award.

“My grandfather and Gov. Anoatubby had a long, good relationship,” Mr. Walker said. “Having fallen into that line of service has allowed me to do what I do now.

“I’m very thankful, very privileged to be enabled to do what I do, to be out in the community locally and at-large to provide what we do and to bring what we do to the masses. It’s a great job and feeling to serve our citizens and communities.”