Diversity, Equality, Inclusion
0
Confident and happy business team reading, talking about work project during a meeting while standing around office desk. Diverse group of colleagues discussing contract documents around laptop.
(Getty Images)
The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) has received a multi-year $3 million Capital Readiness Program grant from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to launch the MBE Center for Accelerated Growth and Innovation.
According to an NMSDC release, with the support of the MBDA, the NMSDC will launch the center to scale historically underrepresented certified socially economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDIs) and focus on minority business enterprises (MBEs).
“We find ourselves at an unprecedented moment in history, despite the progress that has beenmade in supplier and business diversity, we know that we still have a long way to go if we aregoing to create the thriving, equitable business environment that is the key to not only achievinggenerational wealth for communities of color but also for the long-term growth and sustainability of our nation’s economy,” NMSDC CEO and President Ying McGuire said in a statement.
“We are incredibly grateful for MBDA’s support of the MBE Center for Accelerated Growth and Innovation and look forward to the enormous impact it will have on MBE growth in the coming years.”
The MBE Center for Accelerated Growth and Innovation will focus its work on three pillarprograms:
Contract Readiness: This capacity-building initiative will prepare certified MBEs fordoing business with the federal government and national/global corporations.
Capital Connection Program and Platform: This effort will cultivate a powerful networkof capital options for certified MBEs, both private and State Small Business CreditInitiative (SSBCI) programs.
NMSDC Matchmaking and Marketplace Tool and Opportunity Connections: Thistool will integrate with NMSDC’s customer relationship management and certification toolto bring certified MBE profiles to an open, online marketplace, connecting them tocorporate members and government entities actively seeking suppliers and sourcingsolutions.
43 organizations received MBDA Capital Readiness Program grants including NMSDC regionalaffiliate council the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council (CRMSDC), andstrategic partners U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), the United States Hispanic Chamber ofCommerce (USHCC) and the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce& Entrepreneurship (National ACE).
RELATED CONTENT: Celebrating National Black Business Month
Source: Black Enterprise
