By all accounts, the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council reports it has met its commitment to facilitate economic development throughout Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware.
How is this accomplished? By connecting corporations to compatible diverse suppliers and assisting Minority Business Enterprises in developing their businesses to meet corporations’ purchasing needs.
During its annual meeting and year-end reception, members were on hand to celebrate EMSDC’s successes. “This year the Council has been extremely active,” said EMSDC President and CEO Valarie J. Cofield. “It is always my honor to join with our stakeholders, corporate members and MBEs. You are the reason why we do what we do. Our mission is simply to advance opportunities for diverse businesses and connecting them to opportunities in the supply chain.”
A few activities the Council conducted throughout the year to assist in achieving its mission included its partnership with corporations in Western Pennsylvania sponsoring SHARE 2017 in March, the Stellar Awards in April, the Youth Entrepreneur Scholarship Golf Outing in August, the ROAR Conference in September and the Choice Awards in December.
In recognition of its commitment to supplier diversity, national health and wellness, Highmark Health was named “Regional Corporation of the Year” by EMSDC during the Choice Awards. “This prestigious recognition is bestowed upon Highmark Health for its commitment to EMSDC diverse suppliers in its supply chain and for creating substantial business opportunities for certified minority business enterprises,” said Cofield.
While presenting Robert James, Highmark Health’s program manager for supplier diversity the “Corporate Advocate of the Year Award,” Cofield said, “We are honored to recognize you not just for supporting the mission of the EMSDC, but also for serving as a strong supporter of other organizations dedicated to diversity and inclusion and minority business enterprises.”
Pittsburgh-based Highmark Health is the second-largest integrated health care delivery and financing network in the nation based on revenue. Highmark Health is the parent company of Highmark Inc., Allegheny Health Network, and HM Health Solutions. Highmark Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates provide health insurance to nearly five million members in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware as well as dental insurance, vision care and related health products through a national network of diversified businesses that includes United Concordia Companies, HM Insurance Group, Davis Vision and Visionworks.
Soul Pitt Media also received the Class 1 Supplier of the Year Award during the Choice Awards. Soul Pitt Media is a multi-channel local media company that serves the African American population in Western Pennsylvania and the surrounding communities by delivering the latest, most informative and most comprehensive content via its award-winning internet and print platforms. Donna Baxter Porcher is Soul Pitt’s founder and CEO.
Excited about 2018, Cofield announced that this year the ROAR Conference and Matchmaking event is returning to Pittsburgh. “Expect a full day of B2B matchmaking, corporate roundtables, industry-specific forums, dynamic speakers, targeted workshops, the ‘tech bar,’ and the awards luncheon,” she described.
ROAR, meaning Return on All Relationships, will extend the diversity and inclusion conversation beyond best practices and trends, and encourage direct connections across industries, and relationship-building between leading corporations and the small to mid-sized businesses that can fill their short and long-term needs.
In conjunction with the upcoming March 8 ROAR Conference, EMSDC will host its third annual Stellar Awards. During the event the achievements of corporations, MBEs and resource partners will be recognized. Nominations in various categories are being accepted until January 5, 2018. MBE Award categories are; Forerunner, Partnership and Fastest Growing Company.
Corporation Award categories are the Forerunner, the Leadership Cornerstone, Best Practice, the Resource Partner and the Alexander Nichols Lifetime Achievement Award. All nominations should be forwarded to mmarkley@emsdc.org.
Other 2018 EMSDC scheduled events are the Youth Entrepreneur Scholarship Golf Outing, July 23 at the
Fox Chapel Golf Club; The ROAR Conference and Matchmaker event, Sept. 11 at the Hotel Sofitel in Philadelphia, and the Choice Awards, Dec. 7, also in Philadelphia.
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