For nearly 50 years, the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) has been a leading voice in pursuit of economic equity across our great state. The vision of the progressive corporate leaders who founded this organization in 1975 was for an economic landscape that was inclusive of everyone, regardless of from whence they came. For those who have been fortunate enough to live in the Atlanta region, they are well versed in the City’s historical role in social, civic and equal rights advocacy. The message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was as simple as it was daunting, that the criteria for success should shift from the historical emphasis on color, gender or background to a new kind of lens focused on quality, capability and character. Often overlooked is the importance of the economic side of the success equation, for without economic lift and financial wherewithal, no community can prosper. The GMSDC engages the global supply chain ecosystem on a daily basis with economic equity as its goal.
Each year, the GMSDC adopts a set of guiding principles and a theme that embodies the growth mindset of its stakeholder community. The GMSDC’s calendar of events, activities, workshops, conferences and leadership development gatherings is informed and influenced by the core principles the Council sees as essential to the achievement of true diversity in America’s supply chains. During the Annual Meeting, which was held on January 31st at the Midtown headquarters of Invesco, the GMSDC Chief Executive Officer and President Stacey Key provided an update on 2024 for those in attendance.
The foundation for GMSDC’s 2024 endeavors stands on four Cs – Collaboration, Community, Communication and Connections. The GMSDC will build on its efforts for its Corporate members and Minority Business Enterprises to collectively work together, leverage the skills and gifts of the GMSDC family, keep everyone engaged and fully invested, while bringing potential business partners together to facilitate their mutual success. For 2024, the theme is Redefining Tomorrow, which speaks to the GMSDC’s aggressive approach to transformational thinking that will enable the Council’s success and be a catalyst of sustainability. New circumstances mandate that small and minority businesses evolve to be relevant and ready for tomorrow’s marketplace.
This year’s programming at the GMSDC challenges the community to stand tall and united on the platform that is being built together. The GMSDC’s 400 corporate members and 1,200 certified minority suppliers are among the finest anywhere, and a big part of why Georgia scores high in any national ranking of business climate, new business creation and small business development. If you are a minority business owner in search of a strong and engaged community that can help you go to the next level, visit www.gmsdc.org to learn more about certification.
