The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) marked a major milestone Friday evening, celebrating its 50th anniversary during the annual Spirit of Alliance Awards at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The event honored companies and individuals who are advancing supplier inclusion and helping shape Georgia’s economy.
“For fifty years, GMSDC has turned supplier inclusion into results that matter—stronger businesses, thriving communities, and jobs across Georgia,” said Stacey Key, GMSDC Chief Executive Officer and President. “The Spirit of Alliance honorees are proof of that impact as they build thriving enterprises, forge lasting business partnerships and drive growth across our economy.”
The evening also marked the launch of the GrowForward Campaign, a $100,000 initiative announced by Vanessa Lane, Executive Director of the Georgia Education Foundation, to invest directly in Georgia’s small businesses through scholarships, mentorship, and executive training. The campaign will strengthen programs like the Community Business Development Program and the Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection, launched in 2001 under Governor Roy Barnes and led by GMSDC since 2012. To date, GMPC has supported more than 400 business leaders, helping companies generate billions in revenue across Georgia.
“GrowForward is about building momentum that lasts well beyond this moment,” Lane said. “When we invest in small businesses, we are fueling innovation, creating pathways to generational wealth, and strengthening the fabric of communities across Georgia. That is the impact we are pursuing.”
One of the night’s highlights was the presentation of the Blue Legend Award, GMSDC’s highest individual honor, which recognizes trailblazers whose lasting contributions have transformed the business community. This year’s recipient, Rodney K. Strong, CEO and Co-founder of Griffin & Strong, was honored for his four decades of work helping public agencies and Fortune 500 companies translate policy into practice and turn commitments into measurable opportunities for diverse suppliers.
Additional Spirit of Alliance Award recipients included:
- Legacy Award: B&S Electric, IPCOMM and AFLAC
- Rising Star Award: Atlanta Public Schools and Georgia Department of Administrative Services
- Impact Award: Norfolk Southern, Clorox, Grady Health System, Southern Company, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and FS360
- Trailblazer Award: Softpath System, VDart, The Gathering Spot and HJ Russell & Company
- Advocate of the Year: Raj Verma of GoProcure and Doretha Smith of Norfolk Southern
- Eagle Award: ATL Search Group and WEBMyers Construction
- Supplier of the Year:
- Class I – Quantifi VMS
- Class II – GSAT Restoration
- Class III – IBEX IT Business Experts
- Class IV – Innova Solutions
- President’s Awards: Nedra Dickson and Venessa Harrison
As the evening drew to a close, GMSDC leaders emphasized that the anniversary was not only a reflection on past achievements but also a call to invest in the future.
“Supporting GrowForward means investing in the entrepreneurs who will drive innovation, create jobs, and strengthen communities across Georgia,” Key said. “This is how we ensure the next 50 years are as impactful as the last.”
To learn more about GMSDC or to support the GrowForward Campaign, visit www.gmsdc.org.
