Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council Inc

Causes: Microfinance, Small Business Development

Mission: Scmsdc's service area encompasses thirteen california counties, which include orange county, los angeles county, and fresno county. Its regional office, headquartered in los angeles, administers the programs and services of scmsdc and its divisions in orange county and the central valley. Scmsdc's various services include, but are not limited to: certifying ethnic minority businesses; providing assistance to corporate members in developing, implementing, and improving the effectiveness of their supplier diversity programs; maintaining a current database of certified ethnic minority businesses; counseling minority businesses; and providing local, regional, and national referrals of minority businesses to member corporations.

Programs: Scmsdc's various services include 1) validating ownership, management and control by a minority or a group of minorities of an applicant business (mbe certification); 2) developing diverse suppliers through programs and services that prepare them to do business with majority corporations and help build their capacity; 3) advocating on issues and challenges that face minority business suppliers, and connects them to corporate members whose procurement needs match their products or services. Through delivery of technical assistance based on recommendations of majority companies and the diverse business community, scmsdc strategically positions diverse suppliers to increase their readiness, caliber and ability to grow. Among such offerings are educational as well as professional development programs that focus on leadership, communications, business acumen, finance & accounting (including access to capital), strategic planning, and "how to" workshops on a variety of topics & issues including electronic request for proposal workshops (erfp), reverse auction seminars & other tangible procurement knowledge, and contemporary business issues.

scmsdc provides the opportunity for its minority business enterprises (mbe) to purchase health insurance, dental, vision, and other similar group insurance policies. Scmsdc has established a customer base of companies who utilize our offered insurance products for the benefit of the mbe employees.