Board Chair Elly Bradford greets guests in attendance at SDX 2019 on September 19.
(From left to right) Keynote Speaker Dr. Edward Hubbard, OMSDC President & CEO Jacqueline D. Neal and Eaton Supplier Diversity Director Joe McClain at SDX 2019.
Guests were treated to four MBE caterers at SDX 2019 on September 19.
On September 19 the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council held the 2019 Supplier Diversity Exchange at Cleveland Clinic.
SDX 2019 Welcome & Corporate Presentations
The day began with a welcome from OMSDC President & CEO Jacqueline D. Neal, OMSDC Board Chair Elly Bradford and MBEIC Chair Christopher Che.
“We are thrilled to have you with us today here at this beautiful facility hosted by Cleveland Clinic,” Neal told the crowd of more than 100 MBEs and Corporate Procurement professionals.
“Today’s Supplier Diversity Exchange is a way we make sure MBEs are ready and available to meet the needs of our Corporate Members,” Bradford said. Bradford is the Senior Manager, Procurement – Planning at Honda of America Mfg., Inc. “Our concept here today is simple, yet meaningful: As MBEs, you get to hear directly from Corporations about how to do business with us, the ins and outs of our Supplier Diversity programs, and in some cases the needs we are currently sourcing and will be sourcing in the future.”
Che, President & CEO of the Che International Group LLC leads the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC) for the state of Ohio. Serving as the liaison between the MBE community and OMSDC’s Corporate Members, the MBEIC is the avenue in which MBEs certified with OMSDC can become involved in driving the activities of the Council. Che spoke to the value of the MBEIC for Ohio’s minority business community.
“The MBEIC’s vision is to be instrumental in providing input, direction and action to create an environment for minority businesses that fosters growth, sustainability and relevance while creating economic growth in minority communities,” he said.
During the morning’s Corporate Presentations, Supplier Diversity professionals from nearly a dozen corporations and higher learning institutions provided an overview of their Supplier Diversity programs, how to do business with them and upcoming areas of opportunities for sourcing.
SDX 2019 Minority Catering Showcase
Breakfast and lunch were provided by a variety of minority owned caterers in the Cleveland market. These vendors provided guests a delicious variety of culinary options from smoky barbecue to Latin Caribbean fusion.
Cleveland Mofongo Latin Grill – Latin Fusion Restaurant – clevelandmofongo.com
Sauce The City – Premier Hot Chicken Restaurant – @SauceTheCity
PearlFlower – Special Event Catering – pearlflowercatering.com
Smoky Sweet Soul – Soul Food & Barbecue – smokysweetsoul.com
SDX 2019 Keynote Address & Buyer’s Forum
Dr. Myra Hubbard and Dr. Edward Hubbard presented the Keynote address. They own Hubbard & Hubbard, Inc., an international Organization and Human Performance Consulting corporation focused on assisting private and public organizations to strategically manage their human and other resources to obtain maximum performance and measurable results to meet their business plan objectives.
Hubbard & Hubbard’s research-based consulting, training, online systems, and performance improvement technologies strategically address the unique needs of each client using practical, comprehensive methods as well as providing the highest quality customer service.
The afternoon Buyer’s Forum featured corporations hosting MBEs and sharing additional information in a roundtable setting.
SDX 2019 Sponsors
On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the Ohio MSDC, thank you to the following SDX 2019 sponsors for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you in 2020!
Host Sponsors: Cleveland Clinic | RCF Group
Power Lunch Sponsor: Eaton Corporation
Patron Sponsor: Honda
Supplier Diversity Ambassador: STERIS
