City Paper: What does the city need to do to help African-American businesses thrive?

Delilah Winder: To thrive, African-American businesses need to be recognized as prime [contractors]. Sub-contractors need to get a higher percentage [of city contracts] and actually need to start running businesses themselves. Black businesses don't need a piece of the pie, they need 100 percent of the pie. I always want to see more.

CP: So, getting more minority inclusion in city contracts remains an important issue? How do you plan to address it?

DW: Absolutely. It will remain important through different agencies and different state and federal contracts where minority inclusion is vital. Also, we will continue to address minority inclusion through government as well as private sectors, through lobbying and supporting candidates who support what we're about. (Asked whether she had specific candidates in mind) I don't want to get into a naming contest, but there are numerous [candidates] that [fit the bill].

CP: How do you plan to stay out of the election-year fray as opposed to your predecessor, who's being courted as a potential mayoral candidate?

DW: Simple. I am not at all interested in any political office. However, the African-American Chamber of Commerce does support any and all candidates who stand for what we stand for—which is to support and include African-American businesses.