Did You Know?

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes three key provisions that could have a significant business impact on the member companies.

1. Increased Goal for Service-Disabled Veteran Firms
   • The Act phases out the self-certification of Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by Service-Disabled Veterans (SDVoB) and increased the government-wide goal for federal contracting with from 3% to 5%. In 2023, the federal government awarded a record $765 billion in contracts in fiscal year 2023, a 9.5% increase over 2022. If we use the total 2023 spend, it could reflect an additional $15.3B in Federal spend available to SDV owned businesses. Implementation regulations for this provision are due by Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
2. Prompt Payment 
   • The Act amends the Small Business Act to reduce the payment duration to subcontractors from 90 days to 30 days, ensuring faster payment processes for small business subcontractors. The provision also empowers contracting officers, in coordination with the agency Director of Small Business Programs or OSDBU to develop correcting and mitigation for prime contractors that failure by the prime contractor to make a full or timely payment to a subcontractor. Prime contractor cooperation continues until the subcontractor is made whole or the determination of the contracting officer is no longer effective – regardless of performance or close-out status of the covered contract. Implementation regulations for this provision are due by Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
3. Past Performance of Affiliates of Small businesses
   • Effective no later than July 1, 2024 – when small business concerns bid on Defense contracts, the past performance evaluation and source selection processes will consider the past performance information of affiliate companies of the small business concerns, if relevant. This provision aims to support small businesses with affiliate companies in securing contracts by leveraging their collective past performance.

Each year during Women’s History Month, The Council takes time to recognize the many contributions of women and highlights some lesser-known figures who made a big impact on history. This year resonates even more with The Council, as the official theme for this month is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” 

Our daily work at The Council is to ensure that regardless of ethnicity or sex, you are offered the same opportunities as others to succeed. We urge you to take time this month to reflect on influential women that have been in your life–and to learn a little bit more about the women we’ve highlighted here. 

Nanye-hi, known in American as Nancy Ward, was born into a powerful Cherokee Wolf clan in the territory that is now Tennessee. While her childhood was filled with violence from battles with Europeans and other tribes, she believed all people should live together in peace. After picking up her husband’s rifle after he was killed in battle she was given the name Ghighau, or Beloved Woman, by the Cherokee. Nanye-hi went on to become a powerful member of her tribe and in 1781 had an influential role in the peace talks with an American delegation, where she expressed dismay that the Americans had no female negotiators, stating: “you know that women are always looked upon as nothing; but we are your mothers; you are our sons. Our cry is all for peace; let it continue. This peace must last forever. Let your women’s sons be ours; our sons be yours. Let your women hear our words.”

Shirley Chisholm broke through political barriers during the tumultuous times around the Civil Rights movement to become the first black woman elected to Congress. Then, in 1972, Chisholm became the first woman to run for president of the United States, ultimately garnering nearly 10% of the delegate votes despite a lack of support from the predominantly male Congressional Black Caucus.  Her motto “Unbought and Unbossed” perfectly summarizes her outspoken advocacy for women and minorities during her seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. She said she wanted to be remembered as “a woman who dared to be the catalyst of change.”

Dorothy Height, nicknamed the “godmother of the women’s rights movement” by President Barack Obama, used her background in education and social work to relentlessly advance the rights of women and minorities. For more than 40 years Height served as the President of the National Council of Negro Women and was a prominent leader at the Young Women’s Christain Association (YWCA). In 1994, she was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom for her many contributions to the advancement of women and minorities. 

Bessie Coleman, a woman of African American and Indigenous heritage, etched her name in history as the first woman to obtain a pilot’s license in the United States. Reverently dubbed “Brave Bessie” for her daring aerial maneuvers, she not only soared through the skies but also fearlessly confronted the prevailing societal norms of segregation. Her unwavering commitment to justice was evident as she steadfastly declined engagements at venues that endorsed discrimination or segregation against African Americans. Coleman’s legacy extends beyond her remarkable aviation achievements, embodying resilience and advocacy for equality in the face of adversity.

These are only a few of the inspiring women who have worked to break through barriers of oppression for minorities. We recognize and applaud their bravery and dedication to improving the world for those who come after them. 

At The Council, our goal is to help foster more opportunities for minority women-owned businesses to find success, regardless of the time of year. We invite you to check out our list of Council-certified women-owned businesses and reach out to those listed to create new business relationships. 

If you are looking for more information on upcoming events to help network your business, visit our News & Events page for more. 

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Diana Domenech is Owner and Visionary of Accelerate Consulting Experts (ACE) and a proven professional in leading organizations, influencing groups, and developing people and businesses. Here, she assists and advises larger companies on how to strategize and execute global diversity & sustainability programs. For smaller or disadvantaged businesses, she works to develop and execute plans that will result in growth and development in the federal and private sectors. Recently, Diana has had success working with global organizations in the financial services and non-profit sectors, Native American tribes, and African-American owned businesses.

Diana has more than 20 years of experience in the private sector, having worked up the ranks in the banking and insurance industries. She most recently served as Head of Sourcing Process, Technology, Governance and Risk at AIG. In that role she led special sourcing programs such as Supplier Diversity and Sustainability. She previously held roles at AIG in supplier relationship management and transformation.

Diana spent 14 years at JPMorgan Chase, where she was Vice President of the Corporate Supplier Diversity Program. Here she was responsible for leading the firm wide global supplier diversity initiative. Under her leadership, the Supplier Diversity Program increased spend with Tier 1 and Tier 2 diverse businesses to over $1.3 billion annually.

Diana has an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University and a BS from Cornell University. She currently serves as Chair Emeritus and the Nominating Committee Chair for the Financial Services Roundtable for Supplier Diversity, Class Parent for the 5th grade, and Cookie Mom for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop, and just completed her 9th triathlon.

About ACE

ACE is a management consulting company that started because of the need for global diversity and sustainability expertise. With a desire to transform the world to become a better place, ACE serves regional and global corporations, and small businesses by strategically leveraging diversity as a means to learn and implement new and more effective ways to generate more revenue, reduce costs, improve employee satisfaction, and exceed shareholders expectations. Clients trust us to advise on and build global Vendor Diversity and DE&I Programs, enhance existing programs, develop diversity specific strategies and solutions, train and coach executive leadership, and take action to deliver meaningful and impactful results.

What does being a minority business, or supporting minority businesses, mean to you?

Supporting minority businesses means breaking down external factors that prevent or impede these businesses from entering into a market.  It’s promoting community development and economic growth by working with and supporting diverse-owned business enterprises so we can all succeed.

Equally as important for me as a leader is to be a role model for other minority businesses and demonstrate to them that it is possible to succeed in the corporate world. I believe that supporting minority businesses is good for business and provides them with the opportunity to participate, compete, and thrive not only in America, but globally.

How has being certified with the NMSDC helped your business?

Being certified with the NMSDC has provided the opportunity to meet Fortune 500 companies and other MBEs to explore new business. This membership has boosted my company’s visibility, created connections and credibility with major organizations and possible future partners.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you were starting out in your career?

I wish I knew that it’s ok to make mistakes. No one expects you to know everything, especially when you are new to a role or company. As long as people know that you are trying, and most importantly, learning from your mistakes, you will be a success.

For more information on Diana Domenech and ACE, please visit: accelerateconsulting-llc.com or contact Diana Domenech at dianad@accelerateconsulting-llc.com to set up a free consultation.

Growing up in Harlem, New York in the 1950s, Irene Smalls experienced and lived through segregation, integration, racial violence, the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement, and present-day racial conservatism. These experiences affected her at a young age and continue to influence the career she has made for herself. 

Irene Smalls is a Black Historian, Author, and Activist. She received an MBA in Behavioral Science and a Black Studies degree from Cornell University. She became the founder of the Cornell Black Alumni Association and Wari House—the first official Black women’s residence on an Ivy League college campus. She led the first Black student protests at Cornell University, protesting the mistreatment of Black women in Cornell’s Balch Dormitory. 

After college, Smalls found her passion as an advocate for equality in education and healthcare for children from communities of color. Through her research, she found that populations with low literacy rates also tended to have poorer health outcomes. 

As an award-winning children’s author and a health enthusiast, Smalls recognized the clear connections between health and academic achievement. To highlight the intersectionality between literacy, physical movement, and overall health, she created Literacise and developed the Literacise Read-y Fashions exhibits. Through these programs, she works to create a brain-body-book connection to help children succeed. 

As part of her continued scientific research, Smalls realized that learning and health are also vitally connected to sleep. It has been her lifelong mission to address these issues through her books and speaking engagements. Recently, Smalls launched her own bedtime book imprint, with the first title in the series being, “An Affirmation Nite Baby Nite.” 

Irene Smalls has published more than 17 books for children. In 2022, she became the winner of the ‘Mom’s Choice Award for Excellence in Children’s Publishing’. She has also written four Black History picture books for children from stories sourced from original enslaved narratives as a part of her 12 Months of Black History picture book series. 

The exceptional knowledge and work that Irene Smalls has made has earned her features in PBS’ Stories from the State, Newsweek, People Magazine, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Essence, Ebony, Jet, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, Black Enterprise, and Boston Magazine. Smalls has been invited twice to share her stories at the White House and has developed literacy-oriented corporate promotions with New England Telephone, The Gillette Company, and State Street Bank.

Watch Irene Smalls speak on PBS

For more information on Irene Smalls and Literacise, please visit: literacise.com

At The Council, we are excited to welcome the month of February as it marks a month-long celebration of Black History. 

This annual observance is a time to reflect on the rich history, achievements, and contributions that African Americans have made to our nation throughout the years. This year, we want to take this opportunity to not only honor the past, but to also highlight the present and future leaders who continue to shape our diverse and dynamic society. 

Black excellence has long been rooted in American history, but it often does not receive the recognition it deserves. Every year important historical figures like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. are recognized for their contributions, but many other heroes go without their well-deserved recognition. 

Bayard Rustin helped to organize and strategize the March on Washington in August of 1963 where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his well-known, “I Have a Dream” speech. As a leader of the Civil Rights Movement, Rustin dedicated much of his life to fighting humanitarian causes against injustice of all kinds.

Claudette Colvin was arrested 9 months before Rosa Parks at the age of 15. When she remained seated near the middle of the bus and refused to give up her seat to a white woman, she became the first woman to be detained for this type of resistance.  

Robert Sengstacke Abbott founded the Chicago Defender which played an integral part in encouraging African Americans to migrate from the South for better economic opportunities, known as the Great Migration. His paper also provided a platform for black voices, championed civil rights causes, and influenced many other Black publications to start up. 

Black History Month is not only about looking back; it’s also about recognizing the present achievements of the Black community. The Council is committed to highlighting the excellence, innovation, and success stories of African-American entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals who contribute significantly to the economic growth of our region.

Through our Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) programs and initiatives, we aim to empower black-owned businesses, providing them with opportunities, resources, and support to thrive in today’s competitive market. By fostering diversity and inclusion, we can positively contribute to a more resilient business ecosystem.

If you are looking to make new connections with certified African-American owned businesses, we’ve collated a  full list of businesses certified with the Council below. 

Black History Month is a time for reflection, celebration, and inspiration. It is an opportunity for individuals and organizations to come together in unity, recognizing the invaluable contributions of the black community. Together, we can build a future where every individual, regardless of the color of their skin, has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

As we continue to push for progress and equality, the 95th Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. serves as a time of reflection and remembrance of his contributions to advancing minority communities everywhere. Today, we reflect on his teachings and the principles he championed.

Dr. King’s dream of a just and equal society is as relevant today as it was during the Civil Rights Movement. His messages of love, compassion, and understanding stand the test of time, reminding us of the power we hold to create lasting positive change.

At The Council, we continue to push for the American Dream that Dr. King spent his whole life fighting for. The sacrifices that he made during his fight in the Civil Rights Movement allowed us to have the rights and successes that we have made for ourselves—and those sacrifices do not go unrecognized.

As we continue in 2024, let us embrace diversity as a strength. Our organization stands as a testament to the richness that comes from bringing together individuals of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. By celebrating and respecting these differences, we not only honor Dr. King’s dream but also strengthen the fabric of our society.

One of the cornerstones of Dr. King’s philosophy was the belief in economic justice. He understood that true equality could only be achieved when economic opportunities were accessible to all. As we move forward, The Council will continue to create a business landscape where everyone has an equal chance to succeed. Through mentorship, education, and support, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future.

As you continue to reflect on your ability to work toward the American Dream, we leave you with a few words from Dr. King: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

For Taiye Doughty, the spirit of entrepreneurship in his family began back in 1875 when his great-grandfather Hector Walker was born. He was the first entrepreneur from their family in America. He started as a sharecropper and grew to become a modest farmer which ignited a bold spirit of business ownership that he passed down through generations to come. Adopting Walker’s drive, Taiye’s grandparents also became farmers and grew to acquire over 900 acres of farmland in the segregated state of South Carolina. His mother and father also had a spirit for entrepreneurship and moved from South Carolina to New York City where they grew to own two businesses. 

Through the generations, ambitiousness and perseverance were handed down through the family line. Taiye was shown by example the risks and rewards of building a brand with integrity and sticking to your principles no matter the cost. 

Taiye was given a great opportunity to study architecture at Pratt Institute and Interior Design at the Art Institute of Atlanta. After he completed his studies, he started a career in construction management. While working in corporate America, he completed projects that totaled over a million square feet in the greater New York City area for many Fortune 500 companies. 

Despite all of his achievements, he knew that something was missing from his life. He leaned on the entrepreneurial spirit that he had inherited from his ancestors and departed from his executive corporate position to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming an entrepreneur, creator, and fabricator. From this transition, Walker Studios was born, using his great-grandfather’s name to proudly carry on his legacy.

About Walker Design Studios

Walker Design Studios is a minority-owned full-service furniture fabrication company that specializes in the design and fabrication of custom furniture, casework, furnishings, and home goods. They work with interior designers, architects, and construction managers on residential, retail, and corporate projects. They design and fabricate their goods in-house utilizing state of the art equipment, tools, and their hands. In addition to offering their furniture collection, they also custom fabricate furniture pieces for end users, interior designers, and architects. 

At Walker Design Studios, they believe in providing an experience that is an unparalleled sense of gratification, fulfillment, and enjoyment. The products that they make are beautifully crafted and aesthetically timeless.

A partial list of furniture items they fabricate are: 

• Conference tables
• Dining tables
• Side tables
• Benches
• Stools 
• Mirrors
• Case pieces
• Sideboards
• Credenzas
• Shelving
• Nightstands

Walker Design Studios is guided by a philosophy of experience, equality, and fairness. This spreads throughout all aspects of their business and to all people they encounter in their daily business routine. They treat all people equally and with fairness: clients, staff members, and vendors alike. They listen to what is being said and pay careful attention to details. Equality and fairness matter – everyone has a voice that will be heard. These principles are the building blocks of their long-lasting relationships.

What does being a minority business, or supporting minority businesses, mean to you?

For me, being a minority business means representing the greatness of my ancestral history and combining that with creativity, experience, and specialized business acumen. It means competing and running a hard race where I was not given a head start and doing it with a winning attitude. I recognize the legacy and that I stand on the shoulders of giants who were enslaved people who persevered despite being stripped of their culture and human dignity. It means being a trailblazer and making a clearer path for those who come behind me. It means being a depository of information based on my experiences and distributing the knowledge to our brethren. Being a minority business means having a commitment to excellence in our operations while uplifting our community and embracing our heritage. 

How has being certified with the NMSDC helped your business?

Being certified with the NMSDC has provided me with access to a community and network of some amazing entrepreneurs, business leaders, artists, creators, financers, designers, and the list goes on. Since becoming a member I feel like I have landed in a safe environment for sharing, learning, and giving. I call it a safe environment because we all have something in common as a minority group. Sameness in our experiences, challenges, and traumas that we have endured here in our nation and globally. When sharing stories about our challenges and successes in business there’s an underlying inherent understanding of our traumas and the stakes that are against us. In other words, the folks around you get it!

But even more than that, the NMSDC has opened up access to a wealth of information, networking, mentorship, coaching, and of course business opportunities. Being regularly engaged with the folks at NMSDC keeps me focused, engaged, and energized. No matter the size of the company, its business leaders always have open arms and welcome access to them. I have only been a member for 4 months, however, in a year I will likely be able to fill a book with how NMSDC has helped Walker Studios.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you were starting out in your career?

Starting out in my career, I wish that I had known the importance of networking and building a community. You can have a great education, hopes, and dreams but networking, exposure, and developing your tribe is a crucial key in personal and business development.

For more information on Walker Design Studios, please visit: walkerdesignstudio.myshopify.com or follow them on their social media: Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn

As this year comes to a close, everyone at The New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council would like to take a moment to reflect back on the moments that made our 50th Anniversary year one of the best yet, because there was a lot to celebrate! 

But, before we dig into what made 2023 so memorable, we’d like to thank our 50th Anniversary VIP Sponsors: Alpha Business Solutions and Walker SCM. Your support and guidance this year have allowed us to truly live up to our 2023 theme: Amplifying Capabilities and Fostering Growth. 

In fact, we found many ways to engage with our members and supporters,  including finally being able to host all of our signature events in person again. This was the first time since the COVID 19 pandemic began that we were able to do this.

We kicked off our signature events in May by hosting our 2023 Business Opportunity Exchange in the offices of one of our esteemed corporate members,  BNY Mellon. The event was a sold-out success that brought together Council board members, corporate members and local MBE’s for a day of panels and workshops focused on ways to expand existing business relationships. . 

In August, we welcomed members and colleagues aboard the Horizon’s Edge yacht, where we Networked & Navigated our way through Biz Connect. This was our first time hosting an event on a yacht and we enjoyed sailing along the New York harbor and taking in the stunning views of the city. And we’re so grateful it finally stopped raining so we could see Lady Liberty! 

In September we swung into success at our 26th annual Networking for Scholarships. Not only was the weather beautiful for those who enjoyed time on two of the best golf courses in the Northeast, but  we had more people than ever partake in networking activities off the golf course. We hope that we can bring even more activities to golfers and non-golfers alike in 2024–when we return to the prestigious Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, NJ.

Finally, in October we closed out our signature events with our 50th Anniversary Partnership Awards Gala. We rolled out the red carpet and dressed to impress as we celebrated our 2023 awards winners. View a full list of those who were recognized at this year’s Partnership Awards Gala: 2023 Awards Gala Recipients

Check out all the photos from our signature events on our website. 

Save the Date for our 2024 Signature Events:

April 17, 2024 — Business Opportunity Exchange

July 25, 2024 — Biz Connect 

September 19, 2024 — Partnership Awards Gala

September 26, 2024 — Networking for Scholarships

AMPLIFYING CAPABILITIES AND FOSTERING GROWTH

Perhaps the most important thing about our 50th anniversary year, is that we were able to continue to promote the growth of our MBEs and corporate members. Which is the true mission and spirit of The Council. This year, we hosted many educational programming events to help amplify opportunities and foster growth for our MBE’s. 

For example, our “How to Do Business With…” series—a program designed to help our certified-MBEs get more information on the supplier acquisition process—had the honor of partnering with corporate members like Estee Lauder, Pfizer, Tough Leaf, Vizient and Northwell Health. 

We also hosted workshops like Taking on Debt with Purpose (and Confidence) with the Business Consortium Fund and Public Sector Contracting: Best Practices and Opportunities with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. 

These were great opportunities to connect with big, influential businesses in our area, make connections with them, and learn how to better your business.  

In our continued effort to do more with our members outside of New York City, we traveled upstate for MWBE summits in Rochester, NY in January—and  in June. We’ll be returning this year with an event hosted in collaboration with the University of Rochester. Stay tuned for more information on that event because registration will be open soon! 

We also traveled to Long Island for the 2023 Healthcare Symposium, which was hosted by Northwell Health this year at their offices in New Hyde Park, NY. And of course our 2023 Sustainability Symposium was held just a few days ago at Citi headquarters in NYC. 

Luckily, we were able to host a majority of these workshops and symposiums in-person and online so that any member who wanted to join could do so—and we will continue this practice into 2024 as we begin to incorporate more programming events throughout the state of New York and northern New Jersey. 

LOOKING FORWARD

For us, 2023 was a busy year! And our efforts paid off, because by the end of this year, we will have welcomed 360 new MBE’s and 27 new Corporate Members to The Council. We are excited to continue our partnership with all new and existing members into 2024. 

Looking forward to 2024, we have already begun planning our calendar of events and hope to bring more unique opportunities for you and your business in the next year that will enhance your membership experience.

Print our 2024 event roadmap to stay in the loop on Council events: 

For more ways to stay up-to-date with The Council and receive notifications about upcoming events, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on our social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram).

We look forward to meeting more of our constituents and creating lasting connections that will create a better future for you, and for the Council. 

We wish you all a happy Holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

When November 11th was officially named Veterans Day in 1952, United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower called upon all citizens to join together in “solemnly remember[ing] the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom.” As our troops continue to serve with dedication and honor, so too do we take this time to recognize the commitment and sacrifices of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and all other military service members. 

And, more importantly, we use this day as a chance to say a heartfelt thank you to the brave men and women who have served our country. The United States was built on hard-won freedoms, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without heroes like our World War 2, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Afghanistan Veterans. Their sacrifice ushered in an era of unprecedented growth and prosperity in our country, and one day alone each year will never be enough to express the deep gratitude of our thanks. 

As a supporter of minority-owned businesses and a stark advocate for supply chain diversity, we owe the crux of our work to the military servicemen and women who’ve defended our freedoms, allowing for everyone’s freedoms of speech and expression and the freedom to secure a future free from want. It’s these fundamental rights, among others, that have created an economy of acceptance and abundance, offering those from all walks of life a seat at the entrepreneurial table. The Council sees this as the embodiment of civil liberties for all, and for that, we will always owe our gratitude to our enlisted military. 

We hope to never forget to not only give thanks, but live thanks. Barack Obama said it best, “It’s about how we treat our veterans every single day of the year. It’s about making sure they have the care they need and the benefits that they’ve earned when they come home. It’s about serving all of you as well as you’ve served the United States of America.”

This Veterans Day, be sure to appreciate your freedoms and thank all of those who have won them for you.