Dear Constituents:

We pray each of you and your families are safe and well during this challenging time.  As a council, we have been working overtime to assist our constituents by running the national sourcing portal used by all NMSDC affiliate councils and all national MBDA centers.  In addition, we have worked with a group of non-minority and minority lenders from throughout the nation that have expressed a commitment to ensuring our MBEs are receiving essential services to apply for PPP loans. For a compilation of resources, please stay tuned for daily updates at minoritysupplier.org/covid.

Although there is great uncertainty in the marketplace, we realize our constituents need our assistance now more than ever. So, our dedicated staff is still creating value. Along those lines, we are moving some of our key signature events – MMPC, ACE Awards, and even golf to fully interactive virtual platforms.  Our focus is not on events, but solid programs, knowledge, and access to opportunities. You will hear more about these cutting-edge options in the coming weeks.

First, MMPC 2020 will now be a three-tiered, fully virtual conference, allowing attendees access to all of the components of our traditional MMPC conference in an interactive and engaging way, with some exciting new additions highlighted below.

• Starting in May we will feature MMPC pre-conference programs with live and on-demand speakers, webinars, DealMaker Sessions, etc.
• On September 1 – 3, we will host our official MMPC virtual conference – featuring dynamic keynote speakers, professional development, a virtual trade show, marketplace, and more.
• After the conference, we will continue providing assistance, guidance, and resources for our constituents, in our post-conference offerings.

MMPC 2020 presents an exclusive place for interaction and allows us to replicate, even enhance– everything that our traditional MMPC conference offers.  In fact, we are optimistic these enhancements will allow us to expand our reach across North America and the globe, adding greater value and exposure for our MBEs and our sponsors.

Thank you to all of you that have confirmed sponsorships, booths, and passes for MMPC 2020.  We look forward to continuing to serve you.  Together, we will get through this.

Regards,
Michelle

Michelle Sourie Robinson
President & CEO
Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council

Motor City International

Supplier of the Year - Class I

Human Capital Staffing

Supplier of the Year - Class II

SEEL, LLC

Supplier of the Year - Class III

Flex-N-Gate

Supplier of the Year - Class IV

Anthony Batalucco

Buyer of the Year

Adient

Kavy Lenon

Jethro Joseph Advocate of the Year (Tie)

Herman Miller, Inc.

Brenda Marshall

Jethro Joseph Advocate of the Year (Tie)

Kelly Services

Burt Jordan

President's Award

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company

Corporation of the Year: Automotive OEM

HermanMiller

Corporation of the Year: Consumer Products

DTE Energy

Corporation of the Year: Petrochemical, Energy, and Utilities

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Corporation of the Year: Financial & Insurance Services

Lear Corporation

Corporation of the Year: Manufacturing/Automotive

Barton Malow

Corporation of the Year: Construction

Kelly Services

Corporation of the Year: Professional Services & Staffing

Christie Wong Barrett

Volunteer of the Year

Mac Arthur Corporation

Burt Jordan

Executive of the Year

Ford Motor Company

Joseph B. Anderson

Minority Business Hall of Fame

TAG Holdings

Jethro Joseph

Minority Business Hall of Fame

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Retired)

Carmen Muñoz

Minority Business Hall of Fame

Munoz Machine Products

October 9, 2018, Novi, MI— Michigan’s top corporations and MBEs gathered at the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council’s 2018 ACE (Ambassadors Championing Excellence) Awards at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan to honor those who champion excellence in business.

2018 ACE Award Winners were:

Supplier of the Year: Presented annually to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) who have excelled in growing their businesses, enhanced their operations, and actively participated in MBE-to-MBE purchasing. There are four awards given, with one going to each of the four revenue categories of MBEs:

• Class I – Annual gross sales less than $1 million
• Class II – Annual gross sales between $1 million and $10 million
• Class III – Annual gross sales between $10 million and $50 million
• Class IV – Annual gross sales greater than $50 million

Minority Supplier of the Year – Class I Winner: Motor City International

Minority Supplier of the Year – Class II Winner: Human Capital Staffing

Minority Supplier of the Year – Class III Winner: SEEL, LLC

Minority Supplier of the Year – Class IV Winner: Flex-N-Gate

Corporate Buyer of the Year Award: One who directly makes purchases and through his/her efforts advances the cause of minority economic development. This award acknowledges the buyer who goes above and beyond normal purchasing requirements by significantly aiding MBEs, increasing his/her dollar purchases over the previous year, offers referrals to other companies, and attempts to identify new market opportunities.

Corporate Buyer of the Year Award Winner: Anthony Batalucco – Adient

Jethro Joseph Advocate of the Year Award: An individual who is not a buyer but drives the process that promotes economic development of Minority Business Enterprises, such as a VP, director, or manager. This award acknowledges the individual that goes above and beyond in their efforts to not only source and mentor MBEs but also help their company and community understand why it’s so important to do business with minority suppliers.

 Jethro Joseph Advocate of the Year Award Winner: (TIE) Kavy Lenon – Herman Miller, Inc. & Brenda Marshall – Kelly Services

President’s Award: The President’s Award is the highest individual honor bestowed by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council on an individual whose service to the organization has been exemplary.

President’s Award: Burt Jordan, Ford Motor Company

Corporation of the Year Award: Presented to the corporation(s) who actively include certified minority suppliers in their procurement opportunities, assist in the development of minority suppliers, promotes supplier diversity and business development within their corporation, their vendors, other businesses, and organizations.

Corporation of the Year Automotive OEM Winner: Ford Motor Company

Corporation of the Year Consumer Products Winner: Herman Miller, Inc.

Corporation of the Year Construction Winner: Barton Malow

Corporation of the Year Consumer Products Petrochemical, and Energy Winner: DTE Energy

Corporation of the Year Financial & Insurance Services Winner: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Corporation of the Year Manufacturing/Automotive Winner: Lear Corporation

Corporation of the Year Professional Services & Staffing Winner: Kelly Services, Inc.

Volunteer of the Year:  This award recognizes a leader who is the ultimate giver of their time and talent in an effort to support minority supplier development and the work of MMSDC.

Volunteer of the Year Award Winner: Christie Wong Barrett – Mac Arthur Corporation

Executive of the Year Award:  This award recognizes a senior corporate leader who empowers his or her team to drive minority supplier development, while personally remaining actively engaged.

Executive of the Year Award Winner: Burt Jordan – Ford Motor Company

The Michigan Minority Business Hall of Fame recognizes those who have made a positive transformational impact on Michigan’s minority businesses, including devoted government and community leaders as well as iconic MBEs and corporate leaders.

Michigan Minority Business Hall of Fame Inductee: Joeseph B. Anderson – TAG Holdings

Michigan Minority Business Hall of Fame Inductee: Jethro Joseph – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Retired)

Michigan Minority Business Hall of Fame Inductee: Carmen Munoz – Munoz Machine Products

 “We recognized corporations, minority businesses, and individuals who excelled in engaging, mentoring and advocating for minority suppliers this past year,” said Michelle Sourie Robinson, President & CEO of MMSDC. “Our Ambassadors and this year’s winners are true champions of excellence in minority supplier development.”

Boasting an attendance of over 700, the ACE Awards is one of the most prestigious business events that take place annually in our state where the top leaders, executives, and visionaries in the region gather to celebrate the people who are making significant contributions to minority supplier development. At this event, minority business enterprises (MBEs) are honored for their excellent service in the past year as well as corporate members for their commitment to supplier diversity and supporting minority-owned businesses through purchasing contracts.

Note:  In those instances where there is a tie, there is no coin toss.  All individuals or businesses scoring the same in a category will be awarded.