NCTRCA hosts Met Gala-inspired event to promote small business contracting access

By Atlas Watchline Staff · News · August 13, 2026

Dallas Weekly reports that NCTRCA hosted a Met Gala-inspired event in Arlington focused on contracting access, Black business support and the small business ecosystem.

NCTRCA held its signature event, “A Night at the MET Gala: Momentum. Excellence. Transformation.”, last Friday evening at Live! by Loews Arlington, according to Dallas Weekly. The article says the venue was styled as a runway, gallery and boardroom, with a blue carpet, local media coverage, a Curated Art Gallery, a Silent Art Auction and a performance by Troy Terrell Bell.

Dallas Weekly frames the event as part of a broader effort to support small businesses through public-sector contracting and relationship building. The story says the gathering aligned with Black Business Month and centered on the idea that access to rooms where deals are made can shape who gets work and who does not.

Dallas Weekly identifies the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency as a local governmental entity and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has connected small businesses to contracting opportunities since 1989. The article says NCTRCA has reviewed more than 30,000 certification applications and has a network of more than 5,000 certified vendors across 16 North Texas counties. It also says member entities include cities, school districts, transit authorities and healthcare systems.

Laterras R. Whitfield, described by Dallas Weekly as a three-time Emmy-nominated producer and podcast host, served as Live Blue Carpet Host. Mikki Taylor, described as an author, cultural storyteller, producer and longtime Editor-at-Large of ESSENCE Magazine, delivered the keynote.

Dallas Weekly quotes Taylor saying, “We have to stop just celebrating Black business and start being intentional about how we support it.” The article also quotes her as saying, “We used to be each other’s ecosystem. We need to get back to that.”

The story lists Dallas County, DFW International Airport, Parkland Health and Hospital System, the North Texas Tollway Authority, Dallas College, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Gorrondona and Associates, The Rio Group, The Burrell Group and BridgeWorks as sponsors and partners. It says the event included original works by local and regional North Texas artists in the auction.

Dallas Weekly also says it previously spoke with NCTRCA Executive Director Angela Alexander earlier in the year about certification and Black entrepreneurs. The article presents the event under the guiding philosophy, “Proximity Is Key: Be In The Room.”

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