Other awardees during the April 18 event were CDI Printing; MBE Partnership award, and KORYAK; MBE Forerunner award.
With nearly 300 corporate executives, resource partners, and MBE suppliers in attendance, EMSDC President and CEO Valarie J. Cofield said the audience was a mix of new faces, old friends and longstanding supporters. She explained that the Stellar Awards, a council-wide initiative, were conceived to recognize the many accomplishments of MBEs, corporate members and resource partners. “It’s an opportunity to honor the best in class and to focus on their continuous excellence.”
She pointed out that the group’s core purpose is to create a sustainable opportunity and wealth for businesses in the communities in which they serve.
EMSDC’s core values are to certify, develop, connect and advocate.
Curt Topper, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, welcomed the attendees and provided an update on the state’s initiatives for minority business inclusion. Pleased to attend the event for a second year, he said he was inspired last year because state government often needs examples to follow because they are not always upfront and leading the way as they should. “Attendees here get it, the folks being honored and the majority-owned larger firms, you get it; you don’t have to be convinced that diversity and inclusion is important and the right thing to do for the bottom line. That’s an inspiration and I left here last year with that in mind,” Topper said.
The keynote for this year’s event was, “A Conversation with Joset Wright-Lacy.” Wright-Lacy is president of the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council. Interviewed by Cofield, she shared her insights on planned changes within the NMSDC network, how to find minority suppliers, and how minority-owned businesses should approach potential customers.
Considered a seasoned business leader and strategist, Wright-Lacy is leading NMSDC on a significant redesign providing innovative and customer-driven services to its corporate members, MBEs, regional affiliates and international affiliates.
Darieth Chisolm, Emmy Award-winning television personality and former WPXI anchor, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.
EMSDC, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, is an affiliate of the NMSDC. There are 23 regional councils across the country with more than 1,750 corporate members. The EMSDC certifies and connects minority-owned businesses (Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American) throughout Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware with member corporations who are committed to supplier development and want to purchase their products, services and solutions.
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