The 2025 National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Annual Conference & Exchange in Miami was more than a convening — it was a recommitment.
Under the theme “Navigating Our New Economy,” this year’s gathering demonstrated the full force of our network’s innovation, collaboration, and leadership as we build an economy that works for everyone.
A Movement, Not Just a Meeting
From the energy on the main stage to the collaboration in every breakout room, the Miami conference reminded us that supplier diversity isn’t a program — it’s a strategy for national competitiveness.
As Isabella Pina, Founder and CEO of Inspired Solutions, noted:
“Minority-owned businesses aren’t just participants; we’re essential drivers of innovation, job creation, and economic growth.”
That belief fueled every conversation throughout the week — from access to capital and digital transformation to sustainability and global supply-chain inclusion.
Leadership with Heart
We were proud to officially welcome Donald R. Cravins, Jr., Esq. as NMSDC’s President and CEO. His career has been defined by public service and a steadfast commitment to equitable growth — from his groundbreaking leadership as the first Under Secretary of Commerce for the Minority Business Development Agency to his continued advocacy for MBEs nationwide.
As Erika Castro, a corporate CSR and supplier-diversity leader, reflected:
“Don has this rare ability to connect with everyone he meets — whether it’s a corporate leader or a small business owner just starting out. He listens, he uplifts, and he leads with heart.”
That authenticity set the tone for a week focused on action, alignment, and advancing our shared mission.
Expanding the Global Impact
Inclusive supply chains are now a global conversation. At this year’s conference, Milind Kamble, Founder of the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), announced a historic milestone: after four years of collaboration with NMSDC, global companies including Amazon, Apple, and Barclays have committed to launching supplier-diversity programs in India. DICCI will work to connect SC-ST entrepreneurs with these multinationals — a powerful example of how NMSDC’s model is shaping equitable economies worldwide.
Community, Connection, and Commitment
Across sessions, participants reflected the spirit of collaboration that defines the NMSDC network.
As Dustin Davis, Executive Vice President of SIVAD Group, shared:
“This year’s conference was a realignment and reinforcement of why we do what we do — a celebration of those who lead with integrity and represent the vendors, partners, and communities that make progress possible.”
From the Capital Readiness Pavilion to the Regional MSDC sessions, MBEs and corporate members worked side by side to create real opportunities.
Regional partners like Patricia Crenshaw’s Pacific Southwest MSDC and the Puerto Rico MSDC showcased how local leadership fuels national and global progress.
And as Liliam Lopez, President of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, reminded us, this work bridges borders and builds community:
“It was an honor to connect with leaders from across the hemisphere — proof that supplier diversity is now a hemispheric economic strategy.”
Driving Measurable Economic Impact
MBEs now contribute more than $600 billion annually to the U.S. economy and support over 2.2 million jobs. When we consider the broader ecosystem of Hispanic, Black, Asian, Native, and women-owned enterprises, that collective contribution exceeds $10 trillion — roughly one-third of total U.S. output.
These numbers reaffirm what NMSDC has always championed: MBEs are engines of innovation, resilience, and generational wealth.
The Road Ahead
As President Cravins said during his address:
“The future of America’s economy is inseparable from the success of minority businesses.”
Miami proved that future is already here. Together — corporate members, MBEs, regional affiliates, and global partners — we’re building an inclusive economy that drives prosperity for all.
