October 15, 2014, Detroit, MI— Michigan’s top corporations and MBEs recently came together to “Celebrate the Stars of Supplier Diversity.” More than 700 attendees gathered at the Max M. Fischer Music Center in Detroit to recognize corporations, minority businesses and individuals who excelled in engaging, mentoring and advocating diverse suppliers. “Our ceremony is more than just a celebration,” said Louis Green, President/CEO of the MMSDC. “It is a true acknowledgement of those individuals and corporations who work sincerely and diligently on behalf of diversity. This is validation of their efforts, and outcomes.”

[button link=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/diversebusiness/sets/72157648322971628/” size=”large”]View Event Photos[/button]

Winners this year included Wayne State University, DTE, Henry Ford Health Systems, DTE, and Ford Motor Company, who was chosen as Corporation of the Year. All nominees and winners were selected based on their advocacy, engagement, and commitment to the development of diversity in suppliers. This year’s event also recognized Aubrey Lee, Sr., a trailblazer in the banking industry who rose from teller to President of NBD (National Bank of Detroit). He was honored with the Chairman’s Award.

Winners

Minority Supplier of Year – CLASS I	EKS Services Incorporated
Minority Supplier of Year – CLASS II	Global Strategic Supply Solutions, LLC (GS3)
Minority Supplier of Year – CLASS III	Webrunners, Inc. dba w3r Consulting
Minority Supplier of Year – CLASS IV	Dakkota Integrated Systems
Subscriber Award	Flex-N-Gate
Corporation of the Year – Commercial Products	Herman Miller, Inc.
Corporation of the Year – Construction	Barton Malow Company
Corporation of the Year – Consumer Products	DTE Energy
Corporation of the Year – Education & Government Entities	Wayne State University
Corporation of the Year – Finance & Insurance Services	Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Corporation of the Year – Health Care Entities	Henry Ford Health System
Corporation of the Year – Professional Services	Kelly Services, Inc.
Corporate Buyer of the Year – Local	Ulysee Rice, Jr., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Corporate Buyer of the Year – National	Glenn Donell, Faurecia North America
Jethro Joseph Advocate of the Year – Local	Erica White, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Jethro Joseph Advocate of the Year – National	Reginald Humphrey, General Motors Company
Diamond Award	Leon Richardson, ChemicoMays, LLC
Chairman’s Awards	Aubrey Lee, Sr.
President’s Award	Dilip Mullick, Ewie Co., Inc.
Corporation of the Year – Manufacturing I	Johnson Controls Inc.
Corporation of the Year – Manufacturing II	Faurecia North America
Corporation of the Year – OEM	Ford Motor Company