GMSDC President and CEO: The Courage to Change

I wake up every day with the goal of bringing people together. That’s the core of what we do at the GMSDC – make introductions and facilitate relationships that make people’s lives better.

As we have watched recent tragic events unfold across America, one cannot help but feel deeply moved by the senseless acts and heartless wounds that have been inflicted upon our friends, neighbors and fellow citizens. This time has been especially intense for me and deeply emotional, as I was born in Louisville, grew up in Minneapolis and now reside in Georgia—each a site of one of the tragedies that triggered our current state of unrest. Even in Atlanta, the birthplace of the American civil rights movement, we have seen violent conflicts between citizens and law enforcement that are difficult to watch.

As an organization focused on minority business development and the diversity of supply chains, the GMSDC family is uniquely and entirely affected by this crisis. The protests and anger on our streets cry out to us to act in meaningful ways, and not merely to express ‘thoughts and prayers’ or fill the atmosphere with empty words. Not this time.

To achieve true equality, we must address economic disparities that disproportionately affect communities of color. Poverty, a major driver of despair and hopelessness, contributes to so many of our societal ills. We have used phrases like ‘facilitate opportunity’ and ‘level the playing field’ in our industry but are we making a real impact?

The GMSDC must engage in this fight with a new sense of purpose. We must work to provide real opportunity to members of our community, who will in turn create jobs, build wealth and re-install hope. The tears of a nation, propelled by video that is both compelling and unprecedented, require that we step up to meet this challenge. While it is critical that we address the ugliness of racism through criminal justice reforms, meaningful legislation, full transparency and ongoing dialogue, it is equally important that we work in parallel to bring about economic equality, especially in communities that have been historically disadvantaged.

What can we do? Here are a few thoughts on what can be done in this moment –

• Demonstrate a real commitment to diversity and inclusion in both your workforce and supply chain. Evaluate your policies, programs and leadership to see if they are moving the needle on providing opportunity. We cannot shrink from this moment…
• Invest in tangible ways in the development and utilization of MBEs in your supply chain. Every bid process or RFP you initiate must have minority participation. There are no excuses. This is especially true given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small business…
• Evaluate your spend for opportunities you may have missed and take the initiative to change course. Many of our diverse spend goals are too low. We must stretch ourselves to impact historic economic disparities…
• Reevaluate your payment terms with your minority business suppliers in this critical time. Cash flow is everything in small business – do what you can to help…
• Be courageous in your outreach and utilization efforts, not merely compliant. Drive change in your supply chain buyer and decision-maker community. Root out biases – conscious and unconscious – that exist within the ranks of your teams…
• Fund the programs, initiatives and outreach that can restore hope in the midst of despair. Mentoring programs, capacity building efforts and other small business development initiatives are in desperate need of support right now. Pick one…
• Understand that no community is nimbler and more adaptable than your minority business suppliers. Many have pivoted in this pandemic and now offer PPE and other innovative new products and services. Talk to your suppliers about how they can help…

The cries of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks and all the others demand that we act with intention in this critical moment. Time’s Up! History is going to judge us on how we respond – right now – to issues of race, class and economic equality. Let us go beyond the usual statements of concern and have the courage to lead real change. We’ve each got a role to play in making the reality of America align with the beautiful words on which she was founded. I am driven to be a part of the change. What are you prepared to do?