James R. Taylor, III

Director, MBE Capital Connect

James R. Taylor, III is President of Virginia Housing and Community Development Corporation (VHCDC), a Virginia non-profit [501(c)3] corporation organized to promote economic and community development within the Commonwealth of Virginia.  VHCDC delivers a wide range of technical assistance to disadvantaged residents and small business advisory services to micro and small business enterprises throughout the region.

Mr. Taylor is the Founder and Director of MBE Capital Connect™, a funding catalyst that cultivates business opportunities by connecting qualified minority-led initiatives and firms with active, accredited investors (angel investors, lenders, private equity/venture capital firms, and specialty financing).  He is also founder and chief advocate of the MBE Capital Call™ – Conference and Venture Forum, an annual event aimed at educating and connecting Minority- and Women-Owned Small Business Enterprises with capital and credit resources to start, grow, and expand.

Prior to organizing VHCDC, Mr. Taylor served as Business Development Manager for Empowerment 2010, Inc., a non-profit organization created by the City of Norfolk, Virginia and City of Portsmouth, Virginia to manage implementation of the strategic plan for the Norfolk/Portsmouth Empowerment Zone. There he developed and implemented myriad business development programs and services, administering an impressive array of small business incentives, financial resources, management intervention and advisory services, and training programs.

A native of Newark, New Jersey, he is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he achieved numerous honors and recognition supporting U.S. Air Forces in Europe, the Middle East, and CONUS (U.S.). His expertise in logistics and computer technology aided aircraft maintenance, civil engineering, logistics/mobility, and base services squadrons to achieve notable milestones, enhance reliability, increase effectiveness, and raise the quality of life for airmen serving within the U.S. and abroad. 

Mr. Taylor holds the distinction of founding, owning, and operating one of the first pure e-commerce companies in the U.S. - JRT Virginia dot com (February, 1992) - and the first minority-owned e-commerce company to successfully market durable-goods via the Internet. Throughout his career, Mr. Taylor has lead and supported executive roundtables, small business networks, and initiatives aimed at business development and wealth creation.  He has sponsored and co-hosted radio talk-shows aimed at narrowing the digital divide and conducted lectures and presentations on the future of the Internet and E-commerce to various business communities, including real estate, banking, retail/wholesale, and manufacturing industries.

Mr. Taylor continues to share his talents through various roles in community service, conducting small business training/seminars, and serving on the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors of various financial and technology firms.  Mr. Taylor is praised by the business community, social service agencies, religious organizations, and business students for his candor, as he addresses the challenges of business creation, growth, and success.  Mr. Taylor inspires with energy and passion.  He speaks from life experiences with wisdom, insight, realism, and a touch of humor.