@CHICAGOMSDC RESOURCE GUIDE CHICAGOMSDC.ORG 56TH ANNUAL CHICAGO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FAIR RESOURCE GUIDE QUALITY CONNECTIONS BUILDING BUSINESS TOGETHER 2023
your business is the future of business At Allstate, we believe the foundation of a strong community starts with the people and businesses in it. And we value diversified partnerships that offer opportunities for everyone. We’re committed to providing the highest quality services, and we know you are too. Learn how partnering with Allstate’s Business Diversity Program can help you build a stronger business and community. Scan the QR code or visit allstate.com/procurement to learn more. © 2022 Allstate Insurance Co.
THIS IS THE STORY OF AN AIRLINE DIVERSIFYING THE SKIES. © 2022 United Airlines, Inc. All rights reserved. THIS IS THE STORY OF AN AIRLINE DIVERSIFYING THE SKIES. Proud to support the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council and their commitment to minority business inclusion. ©2023 United Airlines, Inc. All rights reserved.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Schedule of Events 7 ChicagoMSDC Welcome 16 ChicagoMSDC Staff 17 ChicagoMSDC Board Chair Welcome 18 ChicagoMSDC Board of Directors 19 CBOF56 Sponsors 20-22 CBOF55 Planning Committee 38 ChicagoMSDC MBEIC Members 39 2023 Dolores Saxton-Walker Scholarship Recipients 48-50 2023 MBEIC Sharing Success Awardees 51-52 Featured Workshops 53-61 Buying Organizations Participant Listing 80-81 Minority Firms Participant Listing 82-85 JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56 5
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT CERTIFICATION, MEMBERSHIP, SPONSORSHIP AND EVENTS CONTACT US 216 WEST JACKSON BLVD, SUITE 600 CHICAGO, IL WWW.CHICAGOMSDC.ORG OFFICE: [email protected] 3127558880 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP FOR MINORITY BUSINESS SINCE 1968 Our mission is to certify, develop, connect, and advocate for minority suppliers as the premier supplier development organization creating sustainable and profitable relationships between minority business enterprises and major buying organizations. @CHICAGOMSDC CONNECTING BUYERS & SUPPLIERS MINORITY FINANCE FORUM JIM OSBORNE SCHOLARSHIP CLASSIC MBEIC AWARDS ANNUAL MEETING & HOLIDAY BRUNCH WORKSHOPS CHICAGO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FAIR PROCUREMENT LUNCHEONS MBE TO MBE EXCHANGE EMBA – Expanding Minority Business Access
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8 JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56 CHICAGO MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, INC. VISION To serve as the premier advocate for minority business development and to leverage the value of the cer�fied minority business community by enhancing their access to opportuni�es to the supply chain of buying organiza�ons. MISSION To create an environment that maximizes business opportuni�es between buying organiza�ons and cer�fied MBEs and provide business development services to foster the crea�on of mutually beneficial business rela�onships. CORE VALUES Integrity – ChicagoMSDC holds itself, members, colleagues, and the community accountable for the economic development of our region by con�nuously assessing and advancing its goals, objec�ve and benchmarks. Economic Value – ChicagoMSDC works closely with our corpora�ons and MBEs to promote partnerships, programming and connec�ons that are beneficial (worthwhile) to its cons�tuents. Inclusion – ChicagoMSDC embraces the perspec�ves, experiences and individuality of its cons�tuents. Innova�on – ChicagoMSDC ac�vely looks for opportuni�es to strengthen its market share by capitalizing on non-tradi�onal opportuni�es as well as penetra�ng current markets. BRIAN ORTIZ President & CEO TRINIDAD CONSTRUCTION Co-Chairperson CHRISTINE LEAHY President and CEO CDW Honorary Chairperson KRISTEN MALEK Global Director of Business Diversity CDW Co-Chairperson CBOF56 2023 CHAIRS EXTEND AN OPEN INVITATION TO THE ENTIRE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
BRIAN ORTIZ FOUNDER / CEO CBOF 56 CO-CHAIR Trinidad CBOF Ad Spring 2023 V2.indd 1 3/24/2023 2:54:26 PM
Building meaningful business partnerships Supplier diversity is not a program; it’s the way Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas do business. Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas are committed to increasing investments with certified minority-, women-, service-disabled- and veteran-owned businesses in the communities we serve. We strongly believe in corporate social responsibility and value different ethnicities, genders and backgrounds. Supplier diversity expands our competitive and qualified supplier base for goods and services, which fosters innovation, leads to improved supplier performance, enhances job creation and generates additional purchasing power in Chicagoland and other communities where we do business. Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas are proud members of the Chicago MSDC, and we are proud to support the 56th annual Chicago Business Opportunity Fair. Learn more about our Supplier Diversity Initiative and how to become a certified M/W/SD/V supplier at www.peoplesgasdelivery.com/sdi or www.northshoregasdelivery.com/sdi. Building meaningful business partnerships Supplier diversity is not a program; it’s the way Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas do business. Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas are committed to increasing investments with certified minority-, women-, service-disabled- and veteran-owned businesses in the communities we serve. We strongly believe in corporate social responsibility and value different ethnicities, genders and backgrounds. Supplier diversity expands our competitive and qualified supplier base for goods and services, which fosters innovation, leads to improved supplier performance, enhances job creation and generates additional purchasing power in Chicagoland and other communities where we do business. Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas are proud members of the Chicago MSDC, and we are proud to support the 56th annual Chicago Business Opportunity Fair. Learn more about our Supplier Diversity Initiative and how to become a certified M/W/SD/V at our parent website at www.wecenergygroup.com/sdi.
Helping Businesses and Communities Thrive Aon salutes the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council for their continued support of Chicagoland’s brightest minority-owned businesses for 55 years. We provide advice and solutions in health, risk and wealth. If you represent a certified minority-owned business enterprise and can help us meet our clients’ needs, visit aon.com/diversitysolutions.
Welcome to the 56th Chicago Business Opportunity Fair! It is amazing that the vision to CerƟfy, Develop, Connect and Advocate for minority owned businesses is as relevant now, as it was 56 years ago. In 1968, Chicago Corporate Leaders, Minority Business Owners and Community Leaders collaborated to open procurement opportuniƟes for minority businesses enterprises (MBEs). What they started energized an infecƟous movement across the country. Today the NMSDC Network has over 15k minority-owned businesses. They have grown in revenue, capability, capacity and in their product and service offerings. However, as the world market changes, MBEs are pivoƟng to meet procurement needs, gain access to capital and generate substanƟal revenue. This is important because minority-owned businesses are responsible for over fiŌy million employees. In most cases that represents fiŌy million families that contribute to a stable economy in ciƟes and states across the country. This year’s CBOF theme Quality ConnecƟons: Building Business Together, is meant to harness our past energy and accelerate future benefits and collecƟve successes. “ConnecƟons” make the difference when building an environment that maximizes supply chain inclusion and business diversity. To secure Quality ConnecƟons, public and private sector buying enƟƟes are parƟcipaƟng in our conference programing. Our CBOF programming features acƟve learning, networking, and recogniƟon. Our goal is to create an experience that encourages open and candid discussions which remove barriers to capital and enhance procurement opportuniƟes. Finally, THANK YOU to all our Sponsors for allowing ChicagoMSDC to be your partner in meeƟng your business diversity objecƟves. THANK YOU to our “contract ready” MBEs. I recognize that you take business risks and confront challenges to remain compeƟƟve in this volaƟle economic climate, every day. I wish you all a mutually successful CBOF! Best Wishes Debra Jennings-Johnson Debra JenningsJohnson President/CEO ChicagoMSDC, Inc. 16 JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56
ChicagoMSDC Staff Debra Jennings-Johnson President & CEO Jose Robles-Michelena Executive VP / Chief of Staff Clifton Clark III IT Anita Hagan Associate Director of Programs Lenora Harris Certification Specialist Toni Hurley Certification Manager Gwen Jones Executive Assistant Neda Sharp Director of Program Development Vanessa Smith Office Manager Robert Young Special Programs Sr. Coordinator Missouri MBDA Business Center Todd Gilyard Project Director Alan Green Sr. Financial Consultant JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56 17
18 JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56 WELCOME Welcome to CBOF56! We are so excited to resume our in-person delivery of this longstanding, historic event that galvanizes the Chicagoland community to drive business opportuniƟes. Quality ConnecƟons - Building Business Together is our theme this year and I'm convinced that it eloquently captures the requirements for advancing economic impact and empowerment for minority owned businesses. When we consider the market prioriƟes that include environmental sustainability, safety, and CyberSecurity to name a few, ensuring quality connecƟons that align to global marketplace cannot be delayed. This intenƟonal effort will ensure that our MBE's are fit for purpose not only today but for the next 50 years and beyond. ChicagoMSDC was established in the late 1960s and serves as the cornerstone of the NMSDC affiliate network, and that is something to be proud of as we conƟnue to grow our collecƟve legacy. On behalf of the board of directors, we look forward to seeing you and learning about the quality connecƟons you will make as we conƟnue building business #TOGETHER! Thank you for your conƟnued support, Best Wishes Rona Fourté Rona Fourté Vice President, Global Supplier Diversity CBRE Board Chairman ChicagoMSDC, Inc.
2023 ChicagoMSDC BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Ruby McLeary ALLSTATE Joyce Johnson ANCHOR STAFFING, INC . Shelly Brown AON Donna Bridgeforth BRIDGEFORTH WOLF & ASSOC. Debra Jennings-Johnson ChicagoMSDC Bianca Hester CIGNA/EXPRESS SCRIPTS Kristel Travis DIAGEO Thomas McLeary ENDOW, INC. Wheeler Coleman EXECUTIVE CONSULTANTS UNITED, LLC Mark Hands FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF CHICAGO Travis Latham FELLOWSHIP FLEET LIMOUSINE & BUS SERVICE COMPANY Karmetria Dunham-Burton, Ph.D. MCDONALD'S Wendell Davis NATIONAL MATERIAL, L.P. Raquel Salter NAVISTAR Rosi Hasan, CPA,CGMA,CFE NORTHERN TRUST Patrick McGee PNC BANK Hans Debruijn ROSE INTERNATIONAL Charles Harrell III THE IT ARCHITECT CORP (ITA) Sharla Roberts THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Brian Or�z TRINIDAD CONSTRUCTION, LLC Suzi Cabo UNITED AIRLINES Vasanthi Ilangovan VIVA USA, INC. Ma� Gambs WINTRUST FINANCIAL CERTIFICATION Committee Chair Rochelle Taylor CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT STAFF ADVISOR Jose Robles-Michelena ChicagoMSDC ADVISOR Jared Kelly CEI MEDIA GROUP CHAIR Rona Fourté CBRE VICE CHAIR Kris�n Malek CDW SECRETARY Yvette Moten BP AMERICA, INC. ASSISTANT SECRETARY Jackie Dyess INTER-CITY SUPPLY CO., INC. TREASURER Cherise Conley EXELON CORPORATION ASSISTANT TREASURER Greg Salinas BURNS & MCDONNELL JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56 19
20 JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56 DIAMOND SPONSORS PLATINUM SPONSORS The Board of Directors and membership of the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council Inc., gratefully acknowledge the following organiza�ons for their generosity in underwri�ng the 56th Annual Chicago Business Opportunity Fair. Their support made the fair and its related events possible.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56 21 GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS
22 JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56 COPPER SPONSORS PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS MEDIA SPONSORS
Medicaid that covers total health, every day. That’s how healthier happens together™.
The Supplier Diversity Group at Amtrak® congratulates ChicagoMSDC on their 56th Annual Business Opportunity Fair A train ride away.
Our strength is in the flexibility we offer our clients. By providing workforce solutions as not only providers of contingent workers but also a consultative partner for every facet of talent acquisition and deployment, Anchor’s goal is to tailor solutions not just send people out on assignment. WORKFORCE Simplified Talent Acquisition Services • Receptionists • Data Entry Clerks • Customer Service/Call Center • General Office Assistants • Administrative Assistants • Case Managers • Counselors • Coordinators/Specialists • Licensed Clinical Social Workers 9730 S. Wes tern Avenue Suite 834 Everg reen Pa r k , IL 60805 www.anchor s taffing.com CALL US for more information (773) 881-0530 • Provisional Workforce • Temp-to-Hire • Recruitment Placement Outsourcing • Anchor Workforce Elite (AWE) • Permanent Workforce • Payroll Processing • Workforce Connect • Human Resource Consulting • Competitive Analysis • Onsite Analysis Consultative Services • Utilization Management • Case Managers • Medical Records Clerks • Community Health Workers • Care Coordinators • Customer Advocates • Project Management • Human Resources • Accounting/Finance • Credentialing ANCHOR STAFFING, INC. PROVIDES WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS IN THE FOLLOWING DISCIPLINES: Administrative Support Behavioral Health Non-Clinical Healthcare Special Operations
245098.0422 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association WE’RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR UNDERUTILIZED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is partnering with diverse suppliers to help underutilized communities grow an entrepreneurial base With over 1.1 million minority-owned business enterprises, employing over 400,000 people and generating $1.14 trillion in revenue, we’re helping minority-owned businesses serve communities with different backgrounds. By supporting these communities, we can help them reach their goal of attaining healthy and inspired lives. Leading Change through Supplier Diversity
LET’S BUILD A STRONGER FUTURE TOGETHER. SCAN TO LEARN MORE CORP_CHI_CBOF5 FullPageAd_344070_8X10.5.indd 1 3/24/23 6:49 PM
WINNING WITH DIVERSITY Caesars Entertainment and its properties, Grand Victoria, Harrah’s Joliet and Harrah’s Metropolis, work to achieve diversity and inclusion by striving to attain equity and equality within our corporation and with all the suppliers with whom we work. We are committed to procuring our products and services from a diversified pool of vendors, contractors and professional service providers. We are dedicated to work with developing businesses to help them build capacity. We continue to diversify our supplier base and procurement spend with minority, women‑owned, LGBTQ, veteran, disabled, and disadvantaged business enterprises. Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). ©2023, Caesars License Company, LLC.
The more perspectives we have the more dimensions we see. Diversity is not just a priority for CBRE, it is the foundation of our business. Our Supplier Diversity Program is a commitment to mentor, develop and integrate diverse suppliers into the provisioning of products and services for CBRE or our customers. To become a potential supplier, email us at [email protected]. Learn more at cbre.com/about-us/suppliers 092122 CBRE Supplier Diversity.indd 1 9/21/2022 12:08:49 PM
McDonald’s is Proud to Support the Chicago Business Opportunity Fair on its 56th Annual Fair! Guided by our Values, we aim that no matter how or when you interact with McDonald’s that diversity, inclusivity and equity are as evident and familiar as the Golden Arches. We will pursue this aspiration by using McDonald’s in÷uence and scale to accelerate meaningful and overdue societal change for our employees, franchisees, suppliers, customers, and communities.
Supplier Diversity Ownership & Leadership Employee Diversity Community Engagement Our framework quantitatively measures fi rms across four criteria. Business Diversity360 Framework To learn more about Business Diversity360 please visit northerntrust.com/business-diversity Northern Trust is committed to recognizing and supporting fi rms that exhibit a commitment to diversity, irrespective of company size, longevity, and ownership.
©2023 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC Supporting those who keep minority businesses moving forward. Today is an opportunity to help business succeed. Contact Patrick McGee [email protected] 312-533-6009 www.pnc.com
38 JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56 Regina Barton Rose Interna�onal Jazmira Bota MZI Group Donna Bridgeforth Bridgeforth Wolf & Associates Steven Bruner Thompson Hospitality Suzi Cabo United Airlines Cli�on Clark ChicagoMSDC IT Cherise Conley Exelon Wendell Davis Na�onal Material L.P. Hans Debruijh Rose Interna�onal Karmetria Dunham McDonalds Jackie Dyess Inter-City Supply Co. Rona Fourte CBRE Zenja Glass Unlocking Greatness Staffing, Inc. Walter Gore Peoples Gas Anita Hagan ChicagoMSDC Mark Hands Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Toni Hurley ChicagoMSDC Twyler Jenkins Strategic Events Solu�ons Debra Jennings-Johnson ChicagoMSDC Joyce Johnson Anchor Staffing Inc. Gwen Jones ChicagoMSDC Richard Jones United Airlines JP Kea�ng Allstate Jared Kelly CEI Media Group Diamonte Kimble Strategic Events Solu�ons Kenneth King Aetna Be�er Health of Illinois Judy Mathews ChicagoMSDC Patrick McGee PNC Bank Tom McLeary Endow, Inc. Bruce Montgomery State of Illinois Dale Morrison University of Illinois Yve�e Moten BP Kim Nelson MZI Group Sharla Roberts University of Illinois Jose Robles-Michelena ChicagoMSDC Greg Salinas Burns & McDonnell Neda Sharp ChicagoMSDC Vanessa Smith ChicagoMSDC Gary Su�on Deloi�e Rochelle Taylor Caesars Malisa Torres Metropolitan Water Reclama�on District Kelly Wilson Bridgeforth Wolf & Associates Robert Young ChicagoMSDC Laura Zessar Bienali Promo�ons, LLC 2023 ChicagoMSDC CBOF56 PLANNING COMMITTEE
JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56 39 Chicago’s Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC) is a group of certified minority business enterprise representatives who provide counsel to the ChicagoMSDC Board of Directors and staff to ensure that programs and projects implemented by ChicagoMSDC are relevant and supportive of minority business development. MBEIC advocates on behalf of current and future MBEs as the voice of the minority business suppliers to public and private sectors. The National Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (NMBEIC) is made up of the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC) chairs from each of the 23 affiliate regional councils from across the country, as well as a leadership committee consisting of a National MBEIC chair and officers. Chicago’s MBEIC representatives include: Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC) Joyce Johnson Anchor Staffing, Inc. MBEIC Chair Tom McLeary Endow MBEIC Vice Chair Wheeler Coleman EC-United Eric Dobyne Modesto Management LLC Jackie Dyess Inter City Supply, Inc. Charles Harrell III The IT Architect Corp. Vasanthi Ilangovan VIVA USA, Inc. Travis Latham Fellowship Fleet Limousine & Bus Service Company Hanif Numan ReSCI Consulting Victor Powell Powell Creative Services Herb Stokes The Affluence Group Engage with the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee Contact us at [email protected]
DOLORES SAXTON-WALKER SCHOLARSHIPS 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 established the Dolores SaxtonWalker Scholarship in honor of her commitment to develop young leaders. Award recipients receive $3,000 toward college tuition and/or expenses. This year we will award 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 2023 recipients epitomize the talents that are critical to successful entrepreneurship and citizenship. ChicagoMSDC is con�nously raising funds in order to support scholarships for deserving students from Chicago Public High Schools. Please contact Gwen Jones, [email protected] to make a dona�on. 48 JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56
JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56 49 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 Interna�onal School of Chicago Nichelas Jaxen Walter Payton College Preparatory High School Seth Lewis Kenwood Academy High School 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 THE 2023 DOLORES SAXTON-WALKER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
50 JOIN THE CONVERSATION #CBOF56 THE 2023 DOLORES SAXTON-WALKER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Brooke Parks Kenwood Academy High School Angelica Reyes Chicago Voca�onal High School Alejandro D. Rojas George Washington High School Emely Moreno Northside College Prep Andrea Morris Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Immanuel Ogundipe Lindblom Math and Science Academy Madison Stroter Kenwood Academy High School Nyloni Naylor Kenwood Academy High School Jordan White Whitney M. Young Magnet High School