About Supplier Diversity

The concept of America - China Business Women Alliance (ACBWA) came about from the First Annual Conference of America-China Women Business Leaders in 2005, organized by parent organization, America-China International Foundation (ACIF). ACBWA will be a membership based subdivision of ACIF. The goal of ACBWA is to promote friendly relationship and mutually beneficial business opportunities for women business leaders from two most important economic powers, America and China.

Black Enterprise, your ultimate guide to financial empowerment, is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, BE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Each month, Black Enterprise magazine provides 4.3. million readers with information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. A multimedia company, BE also produces radio and television programming, business and lifestyle events, Web content, and digital media. Black Enterprise is the definitive source of information for and about African American business markets and leaders, and the authority on black business news and trends.

The California Black Chamber was created by five businessmen who saw a need to assist the local chambers from around the state with business growth and development for their chamber members, advocacy in supplier diversity issues and building communities within their region of operation. The California Black Chamber of Commerce is the largest African American non-profit business organization representing hundreds of small and emerging businesses, affiliates and chambers of commerce throughout the state.

The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce's (CHCC) primary goal is to represent the interest of over 600,000 Hispanic-owned businesses in the State of California. With a network of over 60 Hispanic chamber and business associations throughout the state, the CHCC is the premier and largest regional Hispanic business organization in the nation that promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs.

For over 90 years, The Conference Board has created and disseminated knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society. The Conference Board operates as a global independent membership organization working in the public interest. It publishes information and analysis, makes economics-based forecasts and assesses trends, and facilitates learning by creating dynamic communities of interest that bring together senior executives from around the world. The Conference Board is a not-for-profit organization and holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the United States. For additional information about The Conference Board and how it can meet your needs, visit us here on our website at www.conference-board.org.

The Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a membership driven organization comprised of small-business owners, corporate representatives, community leaders, and association members representing various professions. With over 1,800 members, the DHCC is the state's largest minority chamber, and one of the top four chambers of commerce in metro Denver.

Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (East and West) (DVBE)

The Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) and Small Business (SB) Certification Programs were established to increase business opportunities for the DVBE and SB communities with the State of California; thereby stimulating the state's overall economy. The programs are designed to help DVBEs and SBs participate in a more level playing field with certain advantages when competing against other non-DVBEs and non-SBs for state contracts and purchases. Certified firms can also take advantage of other DVBE and SB benefits.

Diversity Business

DiversityBusiness.com is the nation's primary resource portal for business connections. It is a membership-based exchange platform that facilitates contacts and communication, supplier diversity tools, streamlines business processes and provides vital business news and information.

Diversity Information Resources (DIR)

Diversity Information Resources (DIR) was founded in Minneapolis in 1968 by H. Peter Meyerhoff, a Honeywell aeronautics engineer, who sought to advance race relations by improving economic conditions for Blacks after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Meyerhoff and his wife were European Jews who managed to escape Hitler at the outset of World War II. Themselves victims of discrimination, they were motivated by Dr. King’s death to launch the “Buy Black” directory - a 10 page directory of locally black-owned businesses. The couple went door to door asking people to “buy black.” A Board of Directors sets policy and direction for Diversity Information Resources representative of major U.S. corporations.

DiversityNXT

DiversityNXT is the leading showcase for the thought leaders driving the direction of the diverse supply chain.

Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC)

The mission of the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (GMSDC) is to foster and expand mutually beneficial economic opportunities between certified minority business enterprises (MBEs), corporations, and government entities within the state of Georgia; and to help build a stronger, more equitable society by supporting and promoting minority business development. GMSDC is a non-profit organization established in 1976 as a regional office of the National Minority Supplier Development Council. As one of the largest of 39 Councils nationwide with the largest number of certified and ethnically mixed MBEs in the Southeast region, GMSDC is comprised of a network of corporate members and certified minority business enterprises.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley (HCCSV)

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley, originally called the Mexican American Chamber of Commerce, began its formation in 1955. The Hispanic Chamber was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1973, and it began offering services to the Latino small business community. The Hispanic Chamber founders sought to maximize Hispanic business and economic development to increase better understanding between Hispanic businesses, corporate America and the community at large.

ICSBD was established in 1986 as a non-profit corporation to promote the exchange of ideas, methods, experiences and general information among qualified individuals involved in the small business subcontracting program; develop a closer relationship and better communication between the small business community and large companies, state and local government; publicize the activities of members' organizations in the small business field for the information of the business community and the general public; and recommend to the appropriate entity changes to federal and state regulations and actions that should be taken to enhance the activities of this corporation.

Institute for Supply Management (ISM)

Founded in 1915, the Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) is the largest supply management association in the world as well as one of the most respected. ISM's mission is to lead the supply management profession through its standards of excellence, research, promotional activities, and education. ISM's membership base includes more than 40,000 supply management professionals with a network of domestic and international affiliated associations. ISM is a not-for-profit association that provides opportunities for the promotion of the profession and the expansion of professional skills and knowledge.

Minority Enterprise Development Week- DC (MEDWEEK)

The National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference is the largest federally sponsored conference held on behalf of minority entrepreneurs and business enterprises. For the last 27 years, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has brought you the nation's foremost business leaders to offer advice, counsel and insight to help minority businesses stay competitive in the marketplace. From Former Secretary of State Colin Powell and media magnate Malcolm Forbes to renowned author Hernando de Soto and Sun Microsystems' Chief Technology Officer Greg Papdopoulos, some of today's most important leaders have been on the MED Week stage, providing inspiration and guidance to our entrepreneurs. MED Week remains a celebration of the contributions made by minority enterprises and a chance to recognize and honor accomplished minority business owners and advocates throughout the country. Networking is a vital component to MED Week, and no conference provides you with the opportunity to connect with some of the most exciting and innovative minds in minority business.

Minority Enterprise Development Week- SF (MEDWEEK)

The National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference is the largest federally sponsored conference held on behalf of minority entrepreneurs and business enterprises. For the last 27 years, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has brought you the nation's foremost business leaders to offer advice, counsel and insight to help minority businesses stay competitive in the marketplace. From Former Secretary of State Colin Powell and media magnate Malcolm Forbes to renowned author Hernando de Soto and Sun Microsystems' Chief Technology Officer Greg Papdopoulos, some of today's most important leaders have been on the MED Week stage, providing inspiration and guidance to our entrepreneurs. MED Week remains a celebration of the contributions made by minority enterprises and a chance to recognize and honor accomplished minority business owners and advocates throughout the country. Networking is a vital component to MED Week, and no conference provides you with the opportunity to connect with some of the most exciting and innovative minds in minority business.

Minority Enterprise & Educational Development (MEED)

Minority Enterprise & Educational Development, (MEED) has been designated as a Colorado 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. MEED positively impacts minority communities by providing educational opportunities, empowering minority businesses, recognizing business successes of minority ventures and giving voice to the power of collaboration through scholarships, training and celebration of the state's cultural diversity.

The National Center is a non-profit organization, founded and directed by American Indians, committed to Business Development for Indian People. The National Center is the first national organization solely dedicated to developing American Indian economic self-sufficiency through business ownership.

National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)

The NGLCC is the business advocate and direct link between lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) business owners, corporations, and government, representing the interests of more than 1.4 million LGBT businesses and entrepreneurs. The NGLCC is committed to forming a broad-based coalition of LGBT owned and friendly businesses, professionals, and major corporations for the purpose of promoting economic growth and the prosperity of our members.

Providing a direct link between corporate America and minority-owned businesses is the primary objective of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, one of the country's leading business membership organizations. It was chartered in 1972 to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes.

The Northern California Minority Supplier Development Council (NCMSDC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting diversity in the workplace.  NCMSDC is an affiliate of NMSDC, Inc., a national organization made up of 38 regional councils with a combined constituency of over 3,600 corporate members and 16,500 certified MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) suppliers. Our mission is to facilitate access to contracting opportunities between certified MBEs and corporate/public purchasers.  NCMSDC provides MBE certification, networking opportunities at our events as well as partner organizations and access to corporate and MBE contacts through our local and national databases. NCMSDC serves the Northern California region and the state of Hawaii.

Providing a direct link between corporate America and minority-owned businesses is the primary objective of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, one of the country's leading business membership organizations.

San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce (SJSV)

San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce Is a coalition of businesses representing more than a quarter of a million job s across every sector of the economy. We believe that like our community, the strength of our organization is found on its diversity.

Telecom Industry Group (TIG)

Created by the Telecommunications Industry Group (TIG), DiversityNXT is the leading collaboration of telecom industry experts determined to take the Next Generation diverse supply chain to a higher level of success.

UCLA MDE Is an executive training program for entrepreneurs and executives who have been in business for at least three years and who want to develop their management skills. MDE was founded in 1990 by Dr. Alfred Osborne. A distinctive feature of MDE is the Business Improvement Project (BIP), a detailed strategic action plan on which the entrepreneurs work with current Anderson MBA students.

In 1979, several dedicated Hispanic leaders realized the enormous potential of the Hispanic business community in the United States and envisioned the need for a national organization to represent its interests before the public and private sectors. Later that year, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) was incorporated in the state of New Mexico, creating a structured organization aimed at developing a business network that would provide the Hispanic community with cohesion and strength. Since its inception, the USHCC has worked towards bringing the issues and concerns of the nation’s more than 2.5 million Hispanic-owned businesses to the forefront of the national economic agenda. Throughout its nearly 30-year history, the Chamber has enjoyed outstanding working relationships with international Heads of State, Members of Congress and the current White House Administration.

The US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) was formed in 1984 as a national, non-profit organization representing all Asian Americans and Asian American-related groups in business, sciences, the arts, sports, education, public and community services. USPAACC represents multiple ethnic groups.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

Women’s Business Alliance (ASTRA)

Astra began as an outgrowth of Gateway to the Women’s Market™, a company owned by Diane McClelland, co-founder of Astra Women's Business Alliance. The company conducted research on women’s attitudes toward business, making financial decisions, running companies and print advertising. Annually, over the last ten years, women representing business owners, non-profit CEOs, corporate and agency leaders have received the Astra award for their acumen in international trade, community involvement, strategic alliances, technology and employee empowerment.

The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), founded in 1997, is the nation's leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America's corporations. It also is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the United States. WBENC works to foster diversity in the world of commerce with programs and policies designed to expand opportunities and eliminate barriers in the marketplace for women business owners. WBENC works with representatives of corporations to encourage the utilization and expansion of supplier/vendor diversity programs.

Women's Business Enterprise National Council Regional (Carolina) (WBENC)

The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), founded in 1997, is the nation's leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America's corporations. It also is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the United States. WBENC works to foster diversity in the world of commerce with programs and policies designed to expand opportunities and eliminate barriers in the marketplace for women business owners. WBENC works with representatives of corporations to encourage the utilization and expansion of supplier/vendor diversity programs.