Michigan Minority Purchasing Council Mmsdc

Causes: Economic Development, Microfinance, Small Business Development

Mission: The michigan minority supplier development council advances business opportunities for certified minority business enterprises and connects them to corporate members.

Programs: Trade fair, matchmakers,business networking forums- conduct forums throughout the year which provide minority owned businesses the opportunity to showcase their products/services and interact with major corporations in an effort to facilitate and encourage buyer/vendor relationships that result in increased minority vendor purchasing activity. During 2016, offered more than 70 sessions for corporate members and mbes. Collectively, served over 3,700 participants and received 90% satisfaction rating for each session. The economic impact was over $20 billion in awarded contracts.

minority business development/training - conduct professional development workshops and one-on-one consultations that provide information aimed at prompting growth and strengthening member company organizations through skill building, efficiency, quality improvement, industry diversification and supplier diversity program development, as well as personalized assistance with financial packages, various certifications and growth strategies. Over 1,025 corporate and minority businesses participated in 40 development and networking events.

held annual ace awards dinner that honors minority businesses and corporate members in industry, government and education for their outstanding accomplishments in supplier diversity. This annual event was attended by approximately 900 people, increases corporate awareness of minority business capabilities and their diverse areas of expertise, recognizes corporate members and minority business for their commitment to supplier diversity and encourages minority entrepreneurship. Also, hosted the first of its kind in the nation, the mmsdc's minority business women's conference brought minority women business owners and corporate executives from around the country together in a unique setting to discuss industry trends, share practical advice, and network. The theme, "the game changers" highlighted the significant impact minority women are having across all industries as entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Four national economic development leaders participated joset wright-lacy, nmsdc president, pamela prince-eason, wbenc president, nina vaca, president, the pinnacle group, and chair emeritus ushcc and susan au allen, president, uspaacc.

minority business enterprise (mbe) certification - conduct pre-certification and orientation session to help minoirty businesses understand the benefits and process for certification; upon receiving certification help businesses maximize their experience. By the end of the year we had certified 146 new minority business enterprises. Conducted 20 pre-certification briefings.