The Impact Awards Gala was held virtually Thursday, April 25, 2024. Cheri Henderson, President & CEO of the TriState Minority Supplier Development Council, welcomed viewers to the extraordinary event to celebrate the remarkable achievements of corporate members and certified minority businesses across the council’s 3-state region — Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. In leveraging certified minority businesses, the council is the connecting link to profitable relationships among its stakeholders, locally, regionally and nationally.
Toyota, headquartered in Plano, TX, was awarded “Corporation of the Year.” The prestigious honor was awarded on the basis of Toyota’s exceptional commitment to minority business development, and its continued efforts to help advance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility of minority businesses. In particular, Toyota has provided growth potential and business opportunities for certified minority businesses to break into the ranks of full-service suppliers.
Marilyn F. Clark, Economic Inclusion Manager for the University of Kentucky, received the “Corporate Representative of the Year” award. Marilyn was recognized as a strong supporter in promoting supplier diversity and minority business development.
Minority Suppliers of the Year were honored in four categories:
Class 1: ($1M & Under) Joash, Inc., Louisville, KY
Class 2: ($1M -$10M) Hoskins & Company, PC, Nashville, TN
Class 3: ($10 – $50M) Archangel Protective Services, Inc., Nashville, TN
Class 4: ($50M+) Applied Construction Solutions, Inc., Meadowbrook WV
The coveted Impact of the Year Award was presented to local physician, author, and entrepreneur Dr. Herman Williams, President of HW Healthcare Solutions, for his unusual level of dedication to the mission of the council.
The occasion also recognized sixteen (16) graduating high school seniors who received scholarships, totaling $108,000, made possible by donations from corporations, minority businesses, and individuals. The TMSDC Education Foundation is a separate 501© 3 organization whose mission is to provide financial support to at-risk high school graduating seniors. In addition to the scholarships, each student received an Amazon Fire HD 8 – 13th Generation Tablet Fire OS 7, donated by Pinnacle Financial Partners. Established in 1993 by Cheri Henderson, the foundation has awarded $2.5M to 414 high school students.
About TSMSDC
The TriState Minority Supplier Development Council (TSMSDC), is one of 23 regional affiliate councils of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, with a regional office located in downtown Louisville, KY. The Council ensures the development of mutually beneficial relationships between ethnic minority businesses and major corporations, by promoting and expanding business and procurement opportunities as they strive to be the product and service of choice.
