HISTORY

The Dallas Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council has a rich history of advocating, connecting, certifying and developing ethnic minority businesses in order to facilitate business engagement and opportunities with our Buying Entity members. The Council celebrated its 45th year of commitment to minority diversity and inclusion in 2018. During the global pandemic that hit during 2020, the Council learned to connect virtually and continues to provide a hybrid forum for its stakeholders to build relationships.

DFWMSDC

2020

Strategic Change in the NEW NORMAL

Tapping into Virtual Platform Experiences In 2020, the arrival of a global pandemic created challenges and opportunities to strategically change the way the Council delivered programs and services to its stakeholders. The Council tapped into the value of virtual platforms to deliver relevant and engaging programming and events to keep stakeholders connected and to help provide development solutions. This experience continues to help the Council deliver on its mission with more hybrid programming planned and expected as we move into the NEXT NORMAL business environment.

2018

Celebrating 45 Years

The D/FW MSDC celebrates 45 years. The Council continues its mission of encouraging and facilitating procurement and business opportunities between Buying Entity Partners (corporations and public-sector agencies) and certiﬁed Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). The Council and its leaders continue to stay focused on its mission and strategic direction to deliver value to its stakeholders and create an environment for minority business engagement with Buying Entity members and their supply chains.

2017

The Council and MBDA Make a Difference

The Council reports growth and the MBDA Center is Outstanding, again. The Council reported more than $22 billion in minority business revenues and 50,938 employees engaged by the 796 certified MBEs. The Council represented 506 Regional and National Buying Entity Partners and disseminated 7111 bids, plans and proposals. In addition The MBDA Business Center – Dallas Fort Worth operated by the D/FW MSDC is recognized six years in a row as an outstanding center; assisting with $1.1 billion dollars in awarded contracts, $41.6 million in…
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2015

More National Support

Margo J. Posey, President/CEO of D/FW MSDC is elected to chair the Presidents of the Affiliate Councils of the NMSDC. Representing the voice of the Affiliate Councils on the NMSDC Executive Committee and Board of Directors, Margo J. Posey (CEO/President of D/FW MSDC) collaborates and leads the Affiliate Council Presidents. One of her key initiatives was to highlight the achievements and support the Affiliate Councils provide to the overall NMSDC network. COUNCIL OF THE YEAR — D/FW MSDC is named NMSDC’s Council of the Year. Continuing on…
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2014

Setting the Strategic Direction

Developing Strategic Imperatives for the Council. The Council, chaired by Keith Connolly (AT&T), builds upon its foundation of success by developing and implementing Strategic Imperatives designed for deeper focus on the needs of all stakeholders. With the support of John Lozano and the Raytheon team, the Council Strategic task force develops 14 strategic imperatives. The task force’s suggestion to the Board of Directors is to concentrate on five key SIs.

2012

More NMSDC Executive Support

Dennis P. Miller (JCPenney) Chairman of the DFW MSDC Board of Directors is appointed Treasurer of NMSDC. Bringing his fiscal acumen to NMSDC, Miller is added to the NMSDC Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He works to encourage fiscal analysis and accountability as NMSDC moves into a period of strategic planning.

2011

On the Move

The Council changes locations and wins Council of the Year. In 2011, The Council moves to new offices. MBE construction contractors contribute more than $110,000 toward the construction of the build-out of the Council’s office. The Council adds distribution of digital plans to its construction offerings. This plan room is open to the public to view projects for bidding and review. In addition the staff committed to setting up digitized plans for easier access and use by suppliers. The Council’s name changes to the Dallas/Fort…
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2008

Thinking Big and Bigger

MEGA DEALS are recognized. To counter the myth that all minority businesses are small, the Council initiated MEGA DEALS — awards showcasing minority businesses that performed on contracts worth more than $25 million annually and their buying entity business partners. In addition in 2009, the Council and State Senator Royce West collaborate to create the free Doing Business Texas Style Spot Bid Fair at the ACCESS Business Expo. (The efforts will go on to achieve more than $5.2 million in awards by 2018.

2007

BUY THOSE THAT BUY US(TM)

The Council creates and trademarks BUY THOSE THAT BUY USTM. Championed by MBE Input Committee leaders, the Council Board of Directors adopted an initiative designed to spotlight best practices and companies that achieved real results in minority business inclusion. Designed to tie buying habits to minority inclusion goals and objectives was implemented. BUY THOSE THAT BUY USTM became a trademarked initiative to recognize those Corporations and Public Sector Agencies that “get it right” when it comes to minority inclusion. The program reports aggregate spend with…
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2005

Dallas Goes National

The Council hosts the NMSDC national conference in Dallas, TX. The Council enlisted more than 400 volunteers to assist with the hosting efforts for the National Minority Supplier Development Council’s Conference. During 2005, the Council continued to provide innovative programing, business connections, training and development and advocacy. The success of the Construction Advisory Council and Construction Industry Group led the way to the creation of other industry groups within the Council. With nearly 800 MBEs, consolidation of supply chains and economic pressures, the emphasis turned…
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2002

More Certification Support

HUB added to certifications. The Council reached agreement with the State of Texas to provide Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) certification. MBEs can to do business with the State of Texas and simultaneously be certified as a minority-owned business.

1999

$2 Billion by ‘02

The Council initiates a “$2 billion by ’02” initiative designed to grow minority business revenues to $2 billion by 2002. The goal was actually achieved by June 2001. In fact in 2000, the Council recorded 52 local members and 440 MBEs. Minority business revenues were reported to be close to $2 billion. The Council grew from a small volunteer organization in its early years into a financially stable non-profit organization making a true economic impact upon North Texas.

1998

Council Receives and Gives Recognition

The Council is recognized by Vice President Al Gore. In 1998, the Council jointly developed with the North Texas Commission a mentoring program. Tom Lazo, Lazo Technologies, responded to an inquiry from then Vice President, Al Gore, as an example of what government could do to assist with “real” mentoring for minority businesses. The mentor program was recognized by Vice President Al Gore in 1998 as an example of the type of programs needed to assist in small business growth and development. In addition, the…
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1996

HARD HAT Leads Construction Tradeshows

1996 – HARD HAT Construction Expo becomes a staple. The Hard Hat Construction Expo became a staple for the Metroplex in the 90s, offering construction connections between Corporations, Public Sector Agencies and General Contractors with MBEs. It would become the largest and most diverse Construction Trade Fair in the Southwest. With general contractors, facility owners, minority-owned subcontractors, HARD HAT delivers excitement, barbeque and beer.

1995

Council Adds Additional Structure and Development

Formalized voices added to the Council structure. In 1995, the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC) and Corporate Coordinators Committee (now Supplier Diversity Professionals Working Group) provide voice and input for MBEs and Supplier Diversity Professionals, respectively. The Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (originally known as MIC) would become a prime advocate and voice of the MBEs associated with the Council. H. Ron White, White & Wiggins LLP, would draft the first guidelines and election procedures for the committee. Charles Griggsby (Facilities Interiors) would help…
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1993

Council Helps Form the Women’s Business Council

D/FW MSDC helps form the Women’s Business Council The D/FW MBDC would also have an enormous impact upon the creation of the North Texas Women’s Council (now known as Women’s Business Council – Southwest). Around 1998, the National Minority Supplier Development Council mandated minority councils could no longer certify women owned businesses. The Board of Directors and President of D/FW MBDC would be instrumental in funding the new women’s council. In 1994, D/FW MBDC registers the North Texas Women’s Business Council (now the Women’s Business…
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1992

New President

Margo J. Posey is hired as President of the Council Bringing fund-raising prowess, stability and professional managerial skills to the Council, Margo J. Posey is hired as the President. Bringing both corporate and MBE experience to her role, Posey pledged to “continue to provide a business-networking forum for corporations, buyers, suppliers, decision-makers and the public sector to do business.”

1990

Council Grows

More corporations join the Council. The 1990s opened with a faltering economy and challenges to minority inclusion programs. That did not deter the Council. It would continue to grow and thrive into the 90s with leadership from Phil Steinmetz (JCPenney), Joe Zimmerman (Texas Instruments), Bill Harris (Bank One), Jack Redding (TXU), Jerry Martin (Frito-Lay), Marian Spitzberg (Belo Corporation) and Mark Redmond (GTE). New leaders would join the Council and begin to help make a footprint on minority business inclusion – Cheryl Stevens (TXU), Richard Stouffer…
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1988

Travel Abroad and Award Winning

First to conduct trade mission aboard. The Council was the first advocacy organization in the region to host a trade mission focused on minority business opportunities. Representatives of the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Business Development Council and the Dallas Citizens Council spent four days in London and Birmingham, England to share ideas about growing minority businesses. They met with Prince Charles, as well. The D/FW MBDC would be recognized on a national basis through its participation in helping to provide proactive leadership in the NMSDC network.…
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1986

Consolidation and Excellence

James (Jim) O’Neal, CEO of Frito-Lay International, becomes Chair of the Board of Directors for the Council. Frito-Lay provides a one-time grant (largest in Council history) to the Council. The Dallas Regional Minority Purchasing Council and Fort Worth Regional Minority Purchasing Council consolidate to become the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Business Development Council and an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). By the mid-80’s, D/FW MBDC becomes a shining star in the network with innovative programs (Big Red Enterprise Bus Tours) and results.

1985

Commitment to Construction Industry

Committed to the construction industry, the Council creates a Construction Plan Room. Always committed to the construction industry, the Council created a Construction Assistance Center and Plan Room in 1985. In 1986 the Business Advisory Construction Group (BAC) was formed. BAC represented major general contractors in North Texas.

1982

Council Adds Leadership and Processes

Council incorporates site visits to their Gold Standard certification process. In the 1980s, the Council began to make its mark in the Metroplex. Corporations like Frito-Lay, Texas Instruments, Southland Corporation and Southwestern Bell established the benchmark for successful supplier diversity programs. In 1982 Joe Walker, with The JwE Group, was hired as a consultant by the board to help build a budget for a two-person, full-time staff. Recognizing talent, the Board then hired their consultant, Walker, as the first fulltime Executive Director. Leaders like Don…
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1975

More Than the Right Thing To Do

The newly formed Council assisted minority-owned businesses to win nearly $1 million in new contracts. The emphasis matched minority owned suppliers with corporate contract opportunities. In its early existence, the Council was able to identify and help award nearly $1 million in contracts to minority owned businesses. The original advocates championed a message of minority business inclusion – more than “the right thing to do.” Engaging minority owned businesses was just plain good business sense.

1973

Birth of a Council

Nine visionary leaders pledge to actively purchase from minority-owned businesses In 1973 a committed group of corporate and community leaders with limited resources and a strong will to help shape the economic future of North Texas, issued a policy statement that would define the foundation of the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council. These visionary leaders pledged “to actively purchase goods and services from minority owned businesses.”