We Sadly Say Goodbye to a Soldier and Pioneer of MBE

FUNERAL DETAILS
Viewing Tuesday (8/5/14) at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Home, 8728 Liberty Road, from 4-8 p.m. Celebration of Arnold M. Jolivet’s life Wednesday (8/6/14) at Union Baptist Church, 1219 Druid Hill Ave. Wake at 10-11 a.m., homegoing 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Arnold M. Jolivet perhaps America’s greatest and most passionate advocate for minority and women business enterprise transitioned to be with the Lord on Sunday morning, July 27, 2014.

Minority Business Enterprise in Maryland became law in 1978, with Arnold leading the way. Countless scores of minority and women-owned businesses owe their financial success to the work that Arnold did throughout his long and productive career. He created countless opportunities for disadvantaged businesses by challenging the status quo at government policy closed meetings. Among his many legislative accomplishments he fought and won to bring legislation that opened inclusion on any private project or instrument that received state aid in the amount of $500,000 or more in the form of a grant, loan, or lease. Singlehandedly that accomplishment paved the way for increased spend by closing loopholes that existed after the original 1978 decision.

Arnold was frequently interviewed by the media on issues concerning M/WBEs, he was considered by his peers to be most knowledgeable about M/WBE laws, ordinances and court rulings. He was never intimidated by attorney generals, the Baltimore City solicitor’s office, the Board of Estimates or Public Works, the U.S. Congress, governors, mayors, county executives, or chief executive/financial officers of private firms while fighting for minority and women owned businesses rights. Arnold relished challenging our state and city’s leaders and proving them wrong on their own turf. Arnold will be forever remembered as Maryland’s enforcer for all that is right with Minority Business inclusion as well as new careers that were created in areas such as compliance, civil rights, DBE/MBE coordinators, supplier diversity directors and managers of fair practice, just to name a few.

“I was inspired by his wit and wisdom and his many contributions, may his legacy live on and may god bless him for giving unselfishly of his time and talents to assist entrepreneurs while here on this earth. Mr. Jolivet has helped tremendously to level the playing field for all minority and women-owned businesses” said Wayne Frazier, president of Md. Washington Minority Companies Association.

If you wish to express a comment about Arnold please respond to info@mwmca.org, we plan to publish the many comments and expression of sympathy for Arnold and his family at a later date.

At the time of this writing July 27, 2014 final bereavement plans have not been set.