CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE Strengthening Diversity In Business SNEAK PEEK CORPORATE AND MBE SPOTLIGHTS FIRST QUARTER 2023 A PUBLICATION OF THE CHICAGO MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
03 15 16 17 18 MBE SPOTLIGHT - BRIAN ORTIZ, TRINIDAD CONSTRUCTION 11 05 TABLE MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT SNEAK PEEK - CBOF56 09 CDW'S COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC EQUITY AND INCLUSION DIVERSITY MASTERMIND PIPE PROGRAM DOLORES SAXTON-WALKER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM CBOF56 SPONSORS CONTENTS
Welcome to the first issue of the ChicagoMSDC Digital Magazine, "Connections". Our magazine is dedicated to highlighting our amazing corporate members, outstanding minority suppliers, and innovative supplier development programming. Our first release coincides with the 56th Annual Chicago Business Opportunity Fair (CBOF), which is being held at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile on April 18-19. This flagship event connects minority suppliers with corporate and government decision-makers, and it's consistent with our vision of creating a future where minority business sustainability is integral to the economy. The Fair's theme this year is "Quality Connections: Building Business Together", and I encourage you to register now. It's a great opportunity to meet and network with fellow members of the supplier diversity community! In addition to highlighting some of our corporate members who are committed to being inclusive, our magazine will focus on strategies and programs designed for capacity building, highlighting minority businesses that excel, and showcasing the importance of giving back to the communities where they live and work. We're proud to share the stories of our certified minority businesses that have benefited from our development programming, and of our corporate members who rely on us to supplement their development programs and enhance their internal efforts for successful, measurable, supplier diversity results. At ChicagoMSDC, we believe that to achieve socioeconomic equity, we must all work together. Our goal is to showcase stories and examples that support the next success and to capture tips and quotes from our supplier diversity community on our hosted page for comments to keep the community connected. CONNECTIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT MESSAGE 03 (next page)
CONNECTIONS For those of us charged with connecting and advocating for minority business inclusion, the community is essential. We have a quarterly meeting through our Mastermind: Peer-to-Peer Forum, where we discuss real concerns and solutions as well as hear from speakers on strategies that support them. A summary of these sessions will also be included to document our journey and provide you with additional resources to support your daily operations. Finally, I want to let you know that it will be my pleasure to share all highlights regarding supply chain inclusion, MBE revenue, and community investment with our ChicagoMSDC stakeholders. Thank you for joining us on this exciting journey! 04 Debra Jennings-Johnson Interim President/CEO Message From The President...Continued
Attendees can look forward to informative workshops and panel discussions on a range of topics, including marketing, finance, and business development. There will also be opportunities to connect with some of the city's top corporations and government agencies, making it easier than ever to network and create new business partnerships. And for those who are looking for inspiration, the fair's lineup of keynote speakers will provide valuable insights and strategies for success. With so much to see and do, the CBOF is a must-attend event for anyone looking to grow their business and take their career to the next level. "CBOF has a proven track record of fostering supplier diversity and promoting economic inclusion in the city of Chicago," said Debra Jennings- Johnson, ChicagoMSDC's interim President/CEO. 05 CONNECTIONS SNEAK PEEK CBOF56 This year's Chicago Business Opportunity Fair (CBOF) will be packed with exciting opportunities.
APRIL 18-19, 2023 - CHICAGO MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN 06 CONNECTIONS We are honored to have three exceptional individuals serving as honorary chairs for the ChicagoMSDC CBOF. Chris Leahy, President/CEO of CDW, Kristin Malek, Globa Director of Business Diversity at CDW and Brian Ortiz, President/CEO of Trinidad Construction. Their visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to excellence, and staunch support for the promotion of economic opportunity and growth for minority-owned businesses in the Chicago area have been instrumental in our efforts to make a positive impact on the community. The contributions of these esteemed professionals have been immeasurable, and we are grateful for their willingness to lend their expertise and influence to our mission. HONORARY CHAIRS Brian Ortiz Chris Leahy Kristin Malek
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THE POWER OF SUPPLIER DIVERSITY: CDW'S COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC EQUITY AND INCLUSION At CDW, diversity is not just a buzzword, it's a core value that we incorporate into every aspect of our business. For the past 15 years, our global business diversity program has been the foundation of our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, helping us build a collaborative culture that celebrates the unique qualities of all our co-workers, customers, partners, and communities. We are deeply committed to creating a strong supplier diversity program, one that's not about hitting targets or checking boxes, but about creating meaningful change and driving real growth. Supplier diversity initiatives have become a top priority for smart companies, and for good reason. By intentionally seeking out and doing business with suppliers from diverse backgrounds, we can promote economic equity and social justice, providing more opportunities for historically marginalized communities to participate in the mainstream economy. These programs also help companies build stronger relationships with their customers and promote economic growth by creating meaningful jobs and local involvement. Diverse suppliers bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table, driving innovation and creativity in product development, marketing, and customer service. In today's 09 CONNECTIONS (next page)
10 CONNECTIONS rapidly changing business environment, this is essential to staying competitive. The pandemic has taught us the importance of resilient supply chains, and supplier diversity initiatives can help mitigate risk by creating a more diverse and adaptable supply chain. By doing business with a diverse group of suppliers, companies can reduce their reliance on a small number of suppliers and be better prepared for unexpected disruptions. We believe in the strength of connections and organizations coming together in shared commitments. The more companies that are intentional about diversity, embrace positive change and invest in diverse supplier and vendor programs, the bigger the impact will be. The Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council is a great example of why supplier diversity initiatives exist, and we share their view that there must be a partnership between minority businesses and corporate America, and basic marketplace fairness for all. CDW recognizes the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in business and encourages others to join in creating a better future for all. Let's work together to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and build a more resilient economy that benefits ourselves, our customers, and our communities. Read CDW's Economic Impact Report
MBE SPOTLIGHT BRIAN ORTIZ President/CEO Trinidad Construction 11 CONNECTIONS
When the annual CBOF comes to Chicago on April 18-19 at the Chicago Marriott, there’s a good chance you will meet Brian Ortiz, founder, and CEO of Trinidad Construction and co-chair of this year’s CBOF. You may have a one-on-one discussion with him, or you may witness him or one of his team members networking to gain additional clients. Either way, you will receive a lesson in networking, building relationships, and on being an entrepreneur. Ortiz, 48, started Trinidad Construction in 2011 after working for a large, piping contractor for five years. Trinidad Construction is the Midwest’s premier, minority-owned, MBE-certified general contractor and facility maintenance firm. Visit the company website, and get examples of why his company is worth its weight in entrepreneurship. Trinidad Construction employs 50-100 people and 12 years later, has earned $40 million in revenue, worked on projects in 16 states, and currently has a customer list of 22 Fortune 500 companies. “At least 15 of those business relationships came from previous CBOFs,” Ortiz said. Ortiz also serves on the board of directors for the ChicagoMSDC. His goals include getting more MBEs involved in the CBOF. He wants a future where construction projects of various proportions will be more diverse. His success story comes with the expected blood, sweat, and tears. “My father owned a construction company - it was mechanical contracting - and he worked with government agencies, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Park District. It was a great company, but eventually, the slow pay and low margins of public work put his company out of business in 2005,” Ortiz said. I googled minority business and eventually created a catalog of corporations with supplier diversity programs. So, I had the idea that I wanted to start a business and the first thing I needed to do was to get certified. -Brian Ortiz 12 CONNECTIONS
Ortiz worked for his father for a while before he took a job with a large, national piping contractor. At night Ortiz spent hours on his computer researching minority businesses contracted with corporate clients. “At the time I was unaware of the term ‘supplier diversity,” he said. “I googled minority business and eventually created a catalog of corporations with supplier diversity programs. So, I had the idea that I wanted to start a business and the first thing I needed to do was to get certified.” Ortiz left his job with the piping contractor on April 11, 2011 and started Trinidad Construction, LLC. Two weeks later, Ortiz attended CBOF for the first time. He met Rona Fourte, then director of supplier diversity for Walgreens, who knew his father. When his dad lost the family business, Rona, who is a minister, visited Ortiz’s parents and prayed over them. “Rona said if I was anything like my dad then she would get me some work with Walgreens”. Trinidad Construction began contracting with two Walgreens locations and eventually would work with 13 CONNECTIONS (next page)
2,500 locations. A full-circle moment happened recently when a former director of construction for Walgreens began working for Ortiz. Trinidad Construction is 12 years old and Ortiz has more goals for his company, including winning at least two corporate contracts annually. His biggest goal, however, is getting more minorities into the construction trade. “My father’s family is from Mexico and they didn’t know how they stumbled into pipe-fitting. My grandfather got involved with pipe-fitting and it provided a great life for them.” Ortiz also mentors minority students. He started seven years ago mentoring students in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. “What I noticed was, most of the students know nothing about the union construction trade,” he said. “I am now a board member of a new organization called Hire 360 Chicago, and we have labor unions, contractors, and developers to get more diversity involved. Last year I created a program, Changing the Face, and I’m mentoring five, African-American construction business owners. I take all the hard lessons I went through in my 27 years in the profession, and try to explain to them how to avoid them.” Married with five children, Ortiz said the future of Trinidad may or may not involve his children. “My son is 24 years old and I have four daughters. I kind of want them to chart their own paths, but if they choose to join the business, that’s fine. When I was in my 20s, I felt obligated to work with my dad. He nearly killed himself working so hard to provide for us. When I turn 55, the last child will graduate from high school and head to college. It will then be time to figure out Trinidad’s future.” But for now, the CEO is looking forward to CBOF. “My advice to the minority construction trade owners that attend? Find out which corporations will be at CBOF as early as possible and do your research. Communicate with those vendors but also listen. And stay until the end.” How confident is Ortiz about his advice? At one CBOF, he stuck around and got a heads-up from a Com-Ed representative. Ortiz left with a new client… J.P. Morgan Chase. 14 CONNECTIONS Brian's Tips Find out which corporations are attending CBOF early. Do your research on the corporations. Communicate with the vendors and listen, listen, listen! Stay until the end of the tradeshow. You never know who you might meet.
DIVERSITY MASTERMIND: DRIVING STRATEGIC SUPPLIER DIVERSITY INITIATIVES FORWARD The ChicagoMSDC recently organized two highly successful Diversity Masterminds. The events were held in Chicago and were hosted by McDonald's and Burns & McDonnell. The day was packed with collaboration, strategic thinking, and networking opportunities for the attendees. With supplier diversity initiatives becoming increasingly crucial to corporate strategy, leaders need to think more strategically and collaboratively. These events provided the perfect platform for leaders to come together and learn from each other's experiences to create successful, sustainable supplier diversity strategies. The events were undoubtedly a step forward in fostering a more inclusive and diverse corporate world. November 2022 Mastermind Participants 15 CONNECTIONS March 2023 Mastermind Participants
PIPE (Progress, Insight and Performance Education) is an eight-week management training program by ChicagoMSDC. It analyzes a company’s direction, processes, and supply chain to improve business optimization. Aramark has been the presenting sponsor for three years, and Fifth Third Chicagoland Foundation proudly supported PIPE-Cohort 5 virtually held February 21 – April 11, 2023. Over 70 companies have benefited from the program since 2018, and it is a valuable resource for companies seeking to improve their performance. MBEs gain profitable insights and develop strategies to succeed in a competitive business environment. Corporate members can sponsor the program and support diversity and inclusion in the business community. To learn more about sponsoring future cohorts or applying to the program as a diverse business owner, contact us. PIPE PROGRAM: ADVANCING BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION AND DIVERSITY IN THE MARKETPLACE 16 CONNECTIONS PIPE Program Cohort 5
The late Dolores Saxton-Walker was a successful entrepreneur who worked diligently on behalf of the mission of ChicagoMSDC. She understood the importance of developing future entrepreneurs by supporting students with excellent academic achievement and leadership skills. ChicagoMSDC’s Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC) established the Dolores Saxton-Walker Scholarship in honor of her commitment to developing young leaders. Award recipients receive $3,000 toward college tuition and/or expenses. This year we awarded 19 students with scholarships thanks to the generosity of several individuals, great organizations, supporters of last year’s golf scholarship classic fundraiser, and very special minority business owners. The program recognizes academic achievements, community involvement, and leadership potential. It also demonstrates the positive impact of investing in the next generation of business leaders. Congratulations to the scholarship recipients! DOLORES SAXTON-WALKER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 17 CONNECTIONS Scholarship Winners Malayah Kapri Allen Kenwood Academy High School Nicholaus Asiyanbi Lindblom Math and Science Academy Alison Barker Lindblom Math and Science Academy Karsyn Best Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy Ricardo Cervantes Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences Angela Davis Lincoln Park High School Cynthia Gamino Carver Military Academy High School Adam Gharib The Ogden International School of Chicago Nichelas Jaxen Walter Payton College Preparatory High School Seth Lewis Kenwood Academy High School Emely Moreno Northside College Prep Andrea Morris Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy Immanuel Ogundipe Lindblom Math and Science Academy Brooke Parks Kenwood Academy High School Angelica Reyes Chicago Vocational High School Alejandro D. Rojas George Washington High School Madison Stroter Kenwood Academy High School Nyloni Naylor Kenwood Academy High School Jordan White Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
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CHICAGO MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 216 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 600 Chicago, IL 60606