NMSDC Partners with Creators of 51%: The Certification of Our Blackness to Help Address Disparities for Black MBEs
May 08 2024 - 12:09PM
NMSDC is partnering with the creators of 51%: The
Certification of Our Blackness to support the docuseries and
spotlight NMSDC-certified MBEs from the Black community. Currently
in pre-production under Best Sellers Productions, the series will
highlight the importance of supplier diversity programs through the
real-life stories of pioneers in the industry, including members of
the larger NMSDC network.
Also, as part of the partnership, NMSDC CEO and President Ying
McGuire will be featured in an episode of the series to talk about
NMSDC’s historic ties to the Black community and how the
organization is working today to overcome many of the challenges
certified-Black businesses face.
“While our most recent Minority Businesses Economic Impact
Report showed positive growth for all the communities we serve,
unfortunately, our Black-certified businesses only saw single-digit
percent increases in revenue growth compared to the double-digit
increases for certified-MBEs from the Asian, Hispanic, and Native
American communities we serve,” said McGuire. “While we have taken
some initial steps to address this disparity, we know there is
still much to do, and that is why NMSDC is excited to support the
51% The Certification of Our Blackness docuseries and its effort to
lift up supplier diversity programs and Black businesses,” she
added.
In addition to directly participating in the docuseries, NMSDC
will also support the project by providing data that supports the
project’s goals, promoting it at NMSDC signature events like the
Annual Conference & Exchange, and marketing the series via its
communications platforms.
51%: The Certification of Our Blackness is being produced by
filmmakers Sade Sellers, Nadia Sellers, Robert Lett, and Lavonne
Trent. They aim to capture the heart and soul of the incredible and
complex supplier diversity journey and share the global social and
cultural impact diverse suppliers contribute.
To learn more about the series
visit 51percentfilm.com and watch for upcoming
communications from NMSDC to learn how you can help support the
effort.
About NMSDCFounded in 1972, NMSDC is the
longest-operating business growth engine for the broadest group of
systematically excluded communities of color (Asian-Indian,
Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, and Native American), and our
impact goes far beyond the supply chain. It’s about upward mobility
for the emerging majority of Americans, an equal shot at
participating in the American experiment of free-market capitalism
and entrepreneurship. Our work is about correcting the unequal
access to wealth-building opportunities. For more information,
please visit nmsdc.org.
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Jered Weber
National Minority Supplier Development Council
701.388.7283
jered.weber@nmsdc.org