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Emmett Walker, CEO of Walker SCM, joined the Council in 1989. Since joining, he has built long-standing relationships that have been an integral part of his success. In fact, after more than three decades at the Council—two of which he served as the Chair of the MBE Input Committee (MBEIC) (2013 to 2015)—Emmett Walker is still an avid supporter and made the generous choice to become our VIP Sponsor for our 50th Anniversary year. 

As a long-standing member and supporter of the Council, Walker SCM embodies the mission of growing and developing minority businesses. Through his years of experience in business Emmett has learned many life lessons. One of them is the belief that the measure of one’s success is not just based solely on professional accomplishments, but is a compilation of how you live your life, being a good role model, mentoring and sharing the challenges and obstacles you have faced. 

About your company

Walker SCM was started at the kitchen table by Emmett and Betty Walker in 1989. Throughout the growth of the company, they have continued to embody and cultivate a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Walker feels it is paramount to encourage and motivate all of their employees for the betterment of their self-development, the company, and their customers. The family-oriented culture at Walker SCM is who they are and why employees have built a career with them. This has led to strong customer service and relationships that have allowed Walker’s growth to continue to gain momentum. Because of Walker’s vision and values surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion, the company strengthens its access to top talent, increases the quality of decision making by adding diverse perspectives, and enhances employee engagement and satisfaction.

The company thrives on the powerful combination of its people, technology, customer focus, and continuous improvement mindset. Walker feels its people are the heart and soul of their organization, bringing their diverse skills, expertise, and passion together to drive success. They are the driving force behind innovative solutions, ensuring that Walker stays at the forefront of technological supply chain advancements. The company’s cutting-edge technology empowers them to deliver exceptional solutions to their customers, therefore, exceeding customer expectations. With a strong customer focus, Walker listens attentively, anticipates their needs, and tailors solutions accordingly. Moreover, their commitment to a continuous improvement mindset fosters a culture of learning, adaptation, and innovation. By embracing change and striving for excellence, Walker SCM constantly refines its processes, enhances efficiency, and maintains a competitive edge. 

Walker SCM offers a wealth of knowledge in all facets of global transportation, logistics optimization and supply chain integration. They have a global reach, operating directly and through partnerships in over 25 countries worldwide. Today, their customers include a diverse mix of multinational and Fortune 500 companies. 

Together, their people, technology, customer focus, and continuous improvement mindset has allowed them to form the foundation of their company’s exceptional performance and long-term growth.

Walker specializes in the following services:

• Air & Ocean Freight Forwarding
• Customs Brokerage 
• Warehousing & Distribution
• Procurement
• Order Fulfillment
• Assembly & Contract Packaging
• Kitting & Sequencing

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

Being a minority business and supporting minority businesses holds significant meaning to me. It signifies a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a minority business, it means overcoming obstacles, breaking down barriers, and thriving in an environment that may not always be inclusive. It represents resilience, innovation, and the ability to succeed against all odds. 

Supporting minority businesses means actively leveling the playing field, fostering economic growth, and empowering underrepresented communities. It involves recognizing and valuing the unique perspectives, talents, and contributions of minority entrepreneurs. Ultimately, being a minority business or supporting one means championing equity, fairness, and creating a society where everyone has a fair chance to succeed and prosper.

How has being certified with the NMSDC helped your business?

The NYNJMSDC and NMSDC were where I met and built supplier and corporate relationships. The local and national levels of the organization forge a pathway for minority suppliers and corporations to not only work together but to hear each other thus laying the foundation for partnerships to grow over the years. Many of Walker’s top customers, which are Fortune 500 companies, are part of NMSDC and those relationships were grown through the organization.

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

One thing I wish I knew before starting my career is the importance of building a strong professional network. While academic achievements and technical skills are crucial, establishing meaningful connections with colleagues, mentors, and industry professionals can significantly impact one’s career trajectory and business opportunities. Networking opens doors to new opportunities, provides valuable insights, and allows for personal growth through shared experiences and knowledge exchange. By investing time and effort into fostering relationships within my field, I could have gained valuable guidance, access to opportunities, and a supportive community that could have helped propel my business forward.

For more information on Walker SCM, please visit: walkerscm.com or follow them on LinkedIn.

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Alpha Business Solution’s CEO, Gene Waddy, has been a long-standing member of the New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council (NYNJMSDC). In fact, Gene joined the Council in 2005 when he co-founded his first enterprise, DIVERSANT.  Since then, Gene started and grew Alpha Business Solutions into the largest African American, male-owned payroll/employer-of-record firm in the industry and has seen explosive growth since its founding in 2017. 

As the Council celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are thrilled to announce the participation of Alpha Business Solutions as a VIP sponsor for this year’s anniversary activities and events. With Alpha Business Solutions joining as a VIP Sponsor, we look forward to furthering our shared mission and fostering meaningful connections between registered minority-owned businesses and corporate partners, propelling economic growth and opportunity for all. 

About Alpha Business Solutions

Alpha Business Solutions is a vision-driven company that is built for client service and community advancement. Their focus on diversity and inclusion is less to do with hitting quotas and more to do with making their company stronger and providing a competitive advantage for their clients. Gene Waddy started this company to create a different approach to staffing and employer-of-record services that combines professional solutions and diversity in a natural and authentic way. They are a payroll, staffing, and risk mitigation service provider for contingent labor, flexible workforces, interns, misclassified 1099 employees, pre-identified talent, seasonal workers, working retirees, and more. 

What They Provide:

Payroll Solutions

• Payroll & Benefits Administration – Payroll solutions in all 50 states and Canada that feature background checks, multi-lingual employee support, remote onboarding / off-boarding, expense reporting, ACA-compliant medical benefits, voluntary health benefits, state / local tax deduction management, and a 401K offer.
• Employer of Record – U.S. based customer service staff, client indemnification, customizable solutions for maximum MBE spend.
• Compliance & Reporting – state and federal compliance, independent contractor vetting, invoicing, customized reporting, EEOC compliance, ACA affordability regulations

Staffing Solutions

• Contract Staffing – They provide dedicated Account Managers and Recruiters to work with you to identify your talent needs and requirements. They provide top talent for IT and non-IT roles.
• Risk Mitigation – They also provide employee vetting, proper tax classification and absorb cost burden.

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

Being a successful minority-owned business allows me to simultaneously live the “American Dream” while being “in service” to my employees, customers, community, and other MBEs via my mentoring program UNITY.

How has being certified with the NMSDC helped your business?

I built two great businesses by leveraging the power of minority business certification embodied in the services offered by NMSDC. I am still building on business relationships I first made via the Council almost 20 years ago and I fervently believe that the best is still yet to come!

I tell my MBE mentees that NMSDC means access, NMSDC means a seat at the table, and it means you have an advocate to speak “truth to power” when it comes to the procurement strategies of major corporations.

In short, being certified allowed me to develop and grow both DIVERSANT and now ALPHA into competitive and scalable firms that solved business problems. The NMSDC was a major facet of the blueprint of success for my companies and it will continue to be for many years to come.

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

The one thing I wish I had known when I was starting out in my entrepreneurial career is that you don’t have to know everything to be a good CEO or leader – it’s exactly the opposite, the key is to focus on what you do well and then hire great people to fill the gaps. Hire people that believe in your vision and fit the hiring profile, take care of them, be in service to them, and they will in turn take your business into the stratosphere!

For more information on Alpha Business Solutions, please visit: zebrastrategies.com or follow them on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, & Twitter.

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NEW YORK, NY — The New York and New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council (NYNJMSDC) is thrilled to announce that Alpha Business Solutions and Walker SCM have joined as 50th Anniversary VIP Sponsors for their momentous 50th anniversary year. These partnerships mark a significant milestone for the Council as it aligns with its mission of promoting minority business development, supplier diversity, and economic inclusion. The Council wishes to express its deepest gratitude to our VIP Sponsors for their generous support and commitment to advancing supplier diversity. Their ongoing partnership plays an integral role in driving economic empowerment and creating a level playing field for all MBEs.

The NYNJMSDC has been a pioneer in supplier diversity since its establishment in 1973. Over the past five decades, the Council has dedicated itself to creating opportunities for minority-owned businesses by connecting them with corporations committed to diversity and inclusion. As it embarks on its 50th year, the additional support of these sponsors further enhances its ability to drive transformative change and cultivate mutually beneficial relationships.

“We are thrilled to welcome these two certified-MBE organizations as VIP sponsors for our 50th anniversary year,” said Terrence Clark, President and CEO of the NYNJMSDC. “Their meaningful support is invaluable, especially during this time when we are exploring expanded opportunities for minority-owned businesses locally, and promoting economic equity throughout the network. Together, we will make a lasting impact on the supplier diversity landscape and foster a more inclusive business ecosystem.”

For more information about the NYNJMSDC, its sponsors, or how to get involved, please visit nynjmsdc.org or contact Maria V. Rosa at mrosa@nynjmsdc.org. 

About NYNJMSDC:

The New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (The Council) is an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). The Council is dedicated to increasing business opportunities for certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) and connecting them with corporations and government entities that value supplier diversity. Through advocacy, capacity building, and supplier development programs, the NYNJMSDC promotes economic inclusion and fosters mutually beneficial relationships between MBEs and corporations.

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This Hispanic Heritage Month, The Council proudly recognizes the millions of Hispanic Americans who enrich our nation. We celebrate the prosperity of our nation’s Latinx/Hispanic businesses and business owners and applaud communities in New York and New Jersey — and around the nation — that fully commit to their growth and development. 

The National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM), announced the 2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Observance Theme to be: “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.” We believe this theme encourages people across the country to ensure that all voices are represented and welcomed to help build stronger communities — a core concept reflected in all work carried out by the NYNJMSDC.

This year is the 34th year we will recognize the contributions and importance of Hispanics and Latinos to the United States and those American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate the extraordinary leadership shown by the Hispanic American community, including the achievements of Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic-American appointed to the Supreme Court, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, a composer, actor, writer, and activist shaping modern pop culture through the re-imaging of America’s story told through the lens of people of color.  

We also take the time to remember past visionaries like Cesar Chavez, a leading advocate for Latinx and workers’ rights; Roberto Clemente, who overcame racial bias as the first Hispanic American to play major league baseball; and Selena, the pop superstar who brought Mexican Tejano music to the masses. These and many other leaders have made significant contributions to American society, transforming perceptions of Hispanic Americans and serving as shining examples of diversity’s role in modern American culture. 

This September and October, we ask you to uplift and celebrate the Hispanic American entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, teachers, athletes, and other professionals who are unabashedly sharing their heritage and culture to create a long-lasting, positive impact on our society and in our communities. 

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Denise Woodard is the Founder and CEO of Partake Foods, a natural food company that was inspired by her daughter’s experience with food allergies. Partake’s first product — delicious, better for you, allergy-friendly cookies — was launched in 2017 and can now be found in more than 8,000 retail outlets, including Target, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market.

Partake also offers a selection of delicious, allergy-friendly products including crunchy and soft baked cookie flavors such as chocolate chip, birthday cake, and double chocolate In 2021, Partake released a line of baking mixes—brownie mix, blondie mix, and a pizza crust baking mix—all available on partakefoods.com. In January 2022, Partake introduced pancake & waffle mixes in classic & confetti flavors available at select Target stores nationwide.

Denise is the first Black woman to raise more than $1 Million publicly for a CPG food startup. To date, the company has raised over $7.5M from investors including HER, Rihanna, CircleUp Growth Partners, FF2032 and Marcy Venture Partners.

Prior to launching Partake, Denise spent a decade in consumer packaged goods at various Fortune 100 companies. She lives in New York City with her husband, Jeremy, and daughter, Vivienne. She graduated with her BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from Arizona State University.

All Partake offerings are certified gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan and are free of the top 9 allergens (wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, soy, fish, sesame and shellfish). The products are made with love, better-for-you ingredients, and offer a variety of flavors that those with and without dietary restrictions can enjoy.

For more information, please visit: partakefoods.com or follow @PartakeFoods on Instagram.

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In a month jam-packed with diversity celebrations, the New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council would also like to take a moment and recognize the contributions of Caribbean-Americans to our nation—and our economy. We hope that by commemorating National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we will remind all Americans that this country’s strength is rooted in its diversity, helping to highlight the pivotal role Caribbean immigrants play in shaping the American dream through their cultures, traditions, languages, and values. 

Historically, the Caribbean American population in the United States grows more than 50% every ten years, though the pace of growth has nearly doubled in the last 20 years. According to U.S. Census data, there are around 4.4 million people of Caribbean descent working in and contributing to the U.S. economy and culture. From their distinct cuisine to influential music and dance styles, Caribbean traditions have had a profound impact on U.S. popular culture. 

The celebration of Caribbean-American Heritage month began in June 2005 when the House of Representatives unanimously adopted H. Con. Res. 71, which recognized the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. In February 2006, the resolution passed the senate, with the Proclamation being ultimately issued by President George W. Bush on June 6, 2006.

This year marks the fourteenth celebration of June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. We take this time to celebrate the extraordinary leadership shown by the Caribbean American community, including the achievements of Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black American of Jamaican heritage to hold this high office, and Karine Jean-Pierre, the first White House press secretary of Haitian descent. 

We also take the time to remember past visionaries like Alexander Hamilton, one of this nation’s founding fathers, and the late General Colin Powell, the son of Jamaican immigrants and the first Black Secretary of State. These and many other leaders have made significant contributions to American society and forged new paths in service to the American people.

This June, we ask you to uplift and celebrate the Caribbean-American entrepreneurs, teachers, scientists, artists, medical professionals, police officers, athletes, and others who are boldly sharing their heritage and culture to create a lasting positive impact on our society.

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As the Procurement Outreach Partner at  the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) for over four years Navin Persaud has been responsible for procurement, supplier diversity and facilities management in the Corporate Real Estate department.

Navin’s primary role is to support the procurement function, which includes supplier diversity initiatives under the pillars of governance, internal and external outreach, and education. In this role, Navin serves as a trusted adviser to the various business areas to ensure that policy requirements are met and procurement opportunities are provided to diverse suppliers whenever possible. Navin also partners with external organizations to promote the FHLBNY Supplier Diversity Program. 

In addition to Navin’s role at FHLBNY, he has served as the President of the Institute for Supply Management in New York and as the Director of Supplier Diversity. Navin was awarded the “Champion for Industry” award by Thomas Net in 2020 for his work in Supplier Diversity.

Previously, Navin worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, also in the procurement department,  where he developed his passion for promoting Supplier Diversity. 

What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to Navin?

It is commendable to be able to celebrate AAPI Heritage month as part of the larger Supplier Diversity initiative. It is also equally important to be able to recognize the contributions of AAPI businesses and the positive impact on organizations and the American economy as a whole. 

AAPI businesses have been making great strides in bringing diverse perspectives, different cultures and business practices to organizations to enhance efficiency, promote cultural tolerance and acceptance, and to drive overall progress in advancing Supplier Diversity.

It is in this spirit that I would like to encourage AAPI businesses to continue to deliver on commitments, be innovative and to prove to organizations that Supplier Diversity is a true success, as Lamar Alexander puts it: “We are the only country in the world that has taken people from so many different backgrounds, which is a great achievement by itself, but an even greater achievement is that we have turned all of that variety and diversity into unity.”