From the Classroom to Capitol Hill: Connecting Quality Education to a Qualified Workforce

Posted on November 19th, 2025

A Voice for Small Businesses

NBBE Consulting President, Perliter Walters-Gilliam, recently joined more than 2,000 small business leaders from across the country at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) Summit in Washington, D.C. The event, designed to amplify the voices of entrepreneurs and strengthen the small business ecosystem, included an Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill.

As part of the Maryland Delegation, Ms. Gilliam met with Maryland’s U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, and Chief of Staff to Senator Angela Alsobrooks to discuss key challenges facing small businesses across the state — from access to capital and technology to the ongoing struggle with workforce development and retention.

She also met and heard from members of the Congressional Black Caucus as facilitated by the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women, Black in Business initiative.  This interaction provided a platform for candid discussions on women-owned small businesses specifically and small businesses more generally across the US.

Workforce Quality Starts with Education Quality

For Ms. Gilliam, these conversations align closely with NBBE Consulting’s mission.

“A strong workforce begins with strong institutions,” she noted. “When schools and training programs uphold rigorous academic and professional standards, they graduate learners who are not only credentialed but competent and ready to contribute.”

NBBE Consulting’s work in accreditation, quality assurance, and institutional effectiveness supports educational institutions in preparing graduates who can meet the evolving human capital needs of small businesses and industries nationwide.

By helping schools maintain accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement, the firm contributes directly to strengthening the nation’s talent pipeline — ensuring that educational outcomes translate into workforce readiness.

Advocacy as Partnership

The 10KSB Summit also highlighted the power of collaboration between the private sector, policymakers, and education stakeholders.

“Advocacy is not just about policy — it’s about partnership,” Ms. Gilliam reflected. “The future of small business growth depends on our ability to connect what’s taught in classrooms with what’s needed in the marketplace.”

Through its consulting and advisory work, NBBE Consulting remains committed to bridging education and enterprise — ensuring that both thrive in a rapidly changing, technology-driven economy.

Leadership, Resilience, and Vision

The Summit featured insights from visionary leaders including Martha Stewart, Ken Langone, Kat Cole, John Hess, Michael Phelps, The Sharks O’Leary and John, Michael Bloomberg, and Goldman Sachs leaders John F.W. Rogers, David Solomon, and Asahi Pompey. Their stories of resilience, innovation, and servant leadership resonated deeply with attendees, including Ms. Gilliam.

Their collective message reinforced a core belief shared by NBBE Consulting: that leadership is about service, and success is measured by impact.

Looking Ahead

As the small business community continues to evolve, NBBE Consulting remains focused on advancing educational quality and organizational excellence that empower people and institutions to thrive.

Through advocacy, collaboration, and innovation, the firm stands at the intersection of education and workforce development — helping institutions create the quality foundations that fuel business success and community growth.