About ACCA
Message from
ACCA's President
Welcome to the American Contract Compliance Association.
I am honored to serve as President of an organization that has, for more than four decades, stood at the intersection of integrity, opportunity, and progress. ACCA was founded on a simple but powerful belief: that compliance is not merely a requirement, it is a pathway to fairness, accountability, and access. Today, that belief matters more than ever.
We are living in a time of rapid change. The federal contracting landscape continues to evolve, bringing with it new regulations, new expectations, and new challenges. Yet, if history has taught us anything, it is this: moments of change are also moments of possibility.
At ACCA, our mission calls us to educate, advocate, and elevate. Our vision reminds us that compliance, when done well, strengthens not only systems, but communities. We exist to ensure that those tasked with navigating complex requirements are not doing so alone, and that opportunity is not reserved for the few, but expanded for the many.
I believe deeply that when we invest in people, we strengthen businesses—and when we strengthen businesses, we strengthen our economy and our communities. That belief shapes my leadership and my goals for this organization.
In the years ahead, my commitment is to help ACCA continue to be a trusted guide through the ever-changing federal landscape. We will do this by expanding and modernizing our course offerings, ensuring our education is practical, accessible, and responsive to real-world challenges. We will meet our members where they are, whether they are new to compliance, growing a small business, or leading within a large organization/corporation. We help them move forward with clarity and confidence.
We will also continue to champion small businesses. They are the backbone of innovation and economic mobility, yet too often they face disproportionate barriers to entry and sustainability. ACCA will remain a space where small businesses are not only supported, but seen, heard, and equipped to thrive.
Just as important, we are focused on stewardship. Ensuring ACCA’s strength for the next 40 years means honoring our legacy while courageously preparing for the future. It means sound governance, thoughtful leadership, and a willingness to adapt without losing sight of who we are. Longevity is not accidental, it is built through intention, collaboration, and trust.
I am inspired daily by our members, our volunteers, our educators, and our partners. You are practitioners, advocates, problem-solvers, and change agents. You show up not just to comply with the rules, but to uphold the spirit behind them. You understand that equity, transparency, and accountability are not buzzwords, they are responsibilities.
I personally believe that knowledge is power, and community is strength. What sets us apart from other organizations is you our people. This is a place where questions are welcomed, where learning is continuous, and where leadership is shared. Together, we are building something that is both enduring and evolving.
As we move forward, let us do so with integrity, courage, and commitment. Let us lead with curiosity, listen with intention, and act with purpose. Let us remember that progress is not always loud, but it is always deliberate.
The work we do matters. The people we serve matter. And the future we are building—together—is worth every thoughtful step we take.
Thank you for being part of the ACCA community. I am excited about what lies ahead, and I am grateful to walk this journey with you.
With purpose and optimism,
ACCA | History
The American Contract Compliance Association was established in 1986 as a nonprofit national organization dedicated to ensuring equitable employment and contracting practices within the public and private sectors. It started as the brainchild of members of the Minnesota based Inter-Governmental Compliance Institute (IGCI).
The thought was to foster a national organization which would provide training, standardization of practice, networking, and support to the many affirmative action, contract compliance, equal employment, and human rights workers across the country. In 1989, under the leadership of President Robert Harrison, Vice President Kerry Kirkland, and in association with Boston University School of Social Work, ACCA held the first accredited training institute in Louisville, Kentucky. The week long conference gave 4.2 continuing education credits to registrants that passed each class and test by a score of 85% or more. Later, the “Compliance Administrator” was divided into two training sessions of 21 hours each.
The American Contract Compliance Association continued to grow and serve. Relationships were developed with Senator Parren J. Mitchell, Arthur A. Fletcher, the Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund (MBELDEF), and the leading attorneys in the field. The organization adopted a fitting slogan for the times it faced. It simply said, “Integrity, Courage, and Commitment”. The subsequent federal and local activities and legal mandates proved the need for these new change agents. In living up to the challenge, a conference and public service forum was held in Richmond, Virginia following the case of J. A. Croson vs. City of Richmond (VA). The televised dialogue provided valuable information and insights into the court ruling and requirements. Strategic conferences were also held in Alabama, Texas, Florida, California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, to name a few key locations. Over the years, the American Contract Compliance Association has served the needs of our country and constituents through strong leaders who were willing to lead. The past twenty five years, the following seven committed presidents have lead the organization.
ACCA Presidents
Luis Molina
Founding Father
New Jersey
Kerry L. Kirkland
Founding Father
Pennsylvania
Robert J. Harrison
Founding Father
New Jersey
Marvin D. Taylor
Founding Member
Minnesota
Jarvis L. Patton
Alabama
Lenoria Walker
Texas
Beverly Johnson
California
Felecia Lewis Johnson
Maryland
Jerry Walker
Oregon
Lisa Alexander
Illinois
Darcel Webb
Texas
ACCA | Vision, Mission, and Values
Vision
Our vision is to have ACCA recognized as the leading national organization that provides a training institute to educate compliance practitioners, support economic diversity and promote equitable employment and contracting practices within public and private sector institutions.
Mission
Our mission is to deliver ongoing comprehensive training and certification to practitioners working within the fields of Affirmative Action, Contract Compliance, Minority/Women/Disadvantaged/Small/Emerging Business Enterprise, Labor Compliance, Economic & Business Development, and Equal Employment Opportunity.
Values
To promote uniform standards in the administration of contract compliance programs
To promote professionalism and best practices in the administration of contract compliance programs
To facilitate networking and exchange of information among members and affiliates of ACCA
To represent contract compliance professionals and serve as a national advocacy forum in alliance with public and private groups that share ACCA’s vision, mission and values
To facilitate the development, availability and dissemination of information, both technical and otherwise, to members of ACCA and contractors that will be of aid to these persons and agencies in furtherance of contract compliance objectives
To educate the public on the socio-economic benefits of properly admini- stered affirmative action, women, small, and historically under- utilized business programs
To apply for and receive grants, stipends, and contributions and to engage in other revenue generating activities to further the purposes of ACCA
To recognize those who further the ends of contract compliance through awards, commendations, and other forms of recognition
To conduct the business of ACCA with integrity and honesty to ensure that we strengthen the personal and professional relationships with each other and future members
