Awards and Recognitions
The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) has a robust awards and recognition program to highlight and lift up those within our corporate membership who have robust supplier diversity programs and advocate for minority business inclusion and integration through their organizations, as well as within our minority business enterprise (MBE) suppliers who have stepped up, scaled, and successfully fulfilled our corporate members’ supply chains.
Below are a current listing of NMSDC awards and recognitions that are given out at our signature events throughout the year.
The Equity Honors
The Equity Honors are presented to corporate chief officers who have been recognized by their peers as the true leaders at the vanguard of economic equity and minority business integration. They are the bold ones, breaking open old circles of influence and opportunity to usher in talent, perspectives, and expertise that have been too long ignored. They are the visionaries, creating the conditions for minority businesses to fully realize their vast, untapped impact on the American economy and quality of life. And they are unshakable, the living blueprints for upending the status quo and making the kinds of changes that transform everything.
The following Equity Honors awards are presented each year at the Minority Business Economic Forum.
2024 Winners
- Chief Executive Officer of the Year.
Calvin Butler, Exelon - Chief Diversity Officer of the Year.
Celeste Warren, Merck & Co. - Chief Financial Officer of the Year.
Robert Verostek, Denny’s - Chief Information Officer of the Year.
Jay Cavalcanto, Constellation
Sanjay Sood, CDW - Chief Marketing Officer of the Year.
Tariq Hassan, McDonald’s - Chief Operating Officer of the Year.
Derek Ferguson, TIAA - Chief Procurement Officer of the Year
Susanna Webber, Merck & Co.
National Corporation of the Year
The National Corporation of the Year Award recognizes an NMSDC national corporate member for their MBE inclusion and development, supplier diversity program success, support of Tier II minority businesses, and active participation in the community.
The National Corporation of the Year awards are presented each year at the NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange and honorees are divided into five categories based on annual sales.
One Regional Corporation of the Year winner from each sales band is named National Corporation of the Year. Please consult your regional affiliate for application procedures for Regional Corporation of the Year.
2024 Winners
- Corporations with less than $10 billion in sales.
Kelly Services - Corporations with $10 billion to less than $50 billion in sales.
Duke Energy - Corporations with $50 billion to less than $100 billion in sales.
The Walt Disney Company - Corporations with $100 billion to less than $150 billion in sales.
Centene Corporation - Corporations with $150 billion in sales or more.
Stellantis
National Supplier of the Year
The National Supplier of the Year Award recognizes Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, and Native American minority business enterprises (MBEs) for their business growth and development, operational success, support of other minority businesses, and active participation in the community.
The National Supplier of the Year awards are presented each year at the NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange and honorees are divided into four categories based on annual sales.
One Regional Supplier of the Year winner from each sales band is named National Supplier of the Year. Please consult your regional affiliate for application procedures for Regional Supplier of the Year.
2024 Winners
- MBEs with less than $1 million in sales.
A&P International - MBEs with $1 million to less than $10 million in sales.
Tech Army - MBEs with $10 million to less than $50 million in sales.
W3R Consulting - MBEs with $50 million in sales or more.
SDI Presence
Supplier Inclusion Leader of the Year
The Supplier Inclusion Leader of the Year disrupts the status quo, advocates for minority businesses and minority suppliers, connects suppliers with different levels at their organization, goes above and beyond the line of duty to provide support for minority businesses, and supports other initiatives in minority business development.
The Supplier Inclusion Leader of the Year award is presented each year at the NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange.
2024 Winners
Carla Preston, Amazon
Harriet R. Michel Award
The Harriet R. Michel Award recognizes a fundamental figure in NMSDC’s legacy – “present at the creation” of the supplier diversity movement and for a record of service to the mission of NMSDC and to the greater cause of supplier diversity and economic inclusion.
The Harriet R. Michel Award is presented each year at the NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange.
2024 Winners
Steve Freeman, Chevron (Retired)
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes the contributions of individuals who have dedicated their lives to advancing supplier and business diversity. Recipients of this award may come from the private, public, or nonprofit sectors. The award seeks to elevate the contributions of individuals who have made lasting contributions towards achieving NMSDC’s vision of greater socioeconomic equity and generational wealth for the communities of color we serve.
2024 Winners
Tarrance Frierson, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
President's Legacy Award
The President’s Legacy Award is presented to a supplier diversity professional at an NMSDC national corporate member company who has gone the extra mile to make a significant impact in the field of minority supplier development. This individual recognizes the importance of developing and nurturing partnerships with diverse suppliers and the potential for those relationships to drive change and foster inclusion.
The President’s Legacy Award is presented each year at the NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange.
2024 Winners
Steve Freeman, Chevron (Retired)
Council of the Year
Recognizes an exemplary regional affiliate demonstrating the programs, activities, and accomplishments which establishes it as a model of organization, operation, and success. The regional affiliate is reviewed for image, accomplishments, activities, and leadership over the previous calendar year.
The Council of the Year award is presented each year at the NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange.