 |
|
|
UPDATE…
TSMSDC ANNOUNCEMENT #3
|
 
July 16, 2020
Dear TSMSDC Members, Affiliates, and Supporters:
These last few months have been among the most challenging we have ever faced as an organization. We remain attentive to the impact of the pandemic, coupled with rampant injustices in our communities and across the country. How we respond to the incivility of these moments is what will define the true character within all of us. Critical times require bold and capable leadership. To help, all of us should find ways to use our talent, and our resources for the good of all humanity.
The COVID-19 continues to effect the communities where we live, our way of life, and our businesses. This virus has exacerbated inefficiencies in the world of for-profit and nonprofit entities. In many cases, it has led to the loss of opportunities, earnings, and stifled morale. To turn things around, we each must support all people, encourage economic engagement, and eradicate discrimination of all kinds to ‘fix’ America.
We are sending our #3 Announcement to outline how TSMSDC will continue to serve you now, and long after this crisis recedes.
Currently, here’s where we are:
- Since the onset of COVID-19, we made the decision to temporarily restrict access to TSMSDC, in line with the governor’s stay-at-home order. To continue to protect the health and safety of our supporters, members, associates, and staff, we are extending our office closures, and will serve you via online, email or by telephone until further notice.
- Our offices will remain in the same location – in Nashville and Louisville. At present, we are in search of a regional office in West Virginia.
- We are in the process of initiating some very enlightening virtual educational webinars for your engagement and involvement. Right now, we are finalizing a joint venture with Messer Construction Co., City of Knoxville, Knox County and TSMSDC entitled – “Get It Done – Building for Tomorrow” Construction Forum which will happen on tomorrow, July 17, 8:30 am – 10:00 am EST. Already over 100 attendees have registered, thus far. Additionally, we are reviewing other various platforms to jump start our first 3-part series: Sustainability, Quality and Risk Management, with the support of Trane Technologies, based in North Carolina. At all or our virtual opportunities, you will be able to submit questions, and use other interactive tools for the success of your business. We hope to end the Trane sponsored sessions with a virtual networking happy hour! Stay tuned!
- We are beefing-up even more our social media marketing to create and curate engaging content and traffic. Be sure to connect and increase your exposure through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
- We will feature ‘MBEs On the Move’ profiles, starting with Diana Lewis, president of Action Facilities Management, based in West Virginia, who is the recent winner of the 2020 SBA Region 3 Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year Award. The profiles will consist of businesses in our footprint of Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. This is an excellent way for you to know who is involved and supports TSMSDC. If you are affiliated with TSMSDC, and have exciting news to share about your business, please let us know!
- At this writing, we are proud to announce that this week’s Community Business News Bulletin will mark the 260th edition – sharing bid opportunities and associated supplier diversity and community events with our MBEs, corporate members, and other stakeholders. Also, our monthly TriState Talking News continually ‘hits the spot’ providing snapshots of news from around our geographic footprint, nationally and internationally too.
- We are actively initiating Phase 2 of our Centers of Excellence (COE) program, called COE NEXT! for ongoing collaborative relationships! More to come soon.
- The next inBusiness magazine will include a special COE feature of 7 corporations and 16 MBEs. We hope to finalize this 72-page publication by December. Watch for more information!
- TriState welcomes new local corporate members:
- Pinnacle Financial Partners
- Certification continues and is following the same format as in Announcement #2.
- Upcoming TSMSDC events have been rescheduled until 2021:
- Impact Awards to change to May 6, 2021 (Renaissance Nashville Hotel);
- 19 graduating high school seniors will be interviewed July 27, 28 and 29 (via Zoom) for the TMSDC Education Foundation scholarships. This year our scholarship drive has reached $101,500 so far.
- Golf Classic in Nashville, TN changed to June 17, 2020 (The Legends)
- Kentucky Golf Invitational, Louisville, KY changed to October 4, 2020 (Audubon Country Club
- Business Marketplace changed to September 13-14, 2020 (Renaissance Nashville Hotel)
- On the national level with NMSDC:
- The 2020 Annual Conference and Business Opportunity Exchange scheduled for October 25-28, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ is being reformatted into a virtual experience. More details to follow.
- NMSDC has executed a network strategy called ‘In this Together’ which is found
on their website. The purpose is to enlist pledges and commitments for additional and specific funding, across the country There is more to come to review, retool and improve progress of the network for consistent growth of same.
- The NMSDC 2019 Affiliated Regional Council Performance Rankings were released and TSMSDC is #2 out of the 23 Councils.
We, at TSMSDC, remain poised to support you through the challenges of COVID-19. Business survival and continuity of TSMSDC will unequivocally guide our value proposition and opportunities forward to serve you – our certified minority business enterprises and corporate members.
Our promise to you is that we will navigate this state of affairs as best as we can so that we can be there for you – for a long time to come. Our ask of you is to… Please stay safe, well and observe social distance and masks guidelines. Thank you – for your continued support during this time.
Best regards,
Cheri K. Henderson
CHERI K. HENDERSON
PRESIDENT & CEO
TriState Minority Supplier Development Council (TSMSDC)
MetroCenter, Plaza 1 Building
220 Athens Way, Suite 105
Nashville, TN 37228
T: 615.259.4699
TF: 844.793.1289
F: 615.259.9480
W: tsmsdc.net
Kentucky Regional Office: 502.365.9762
An Affiliate of NMSDC
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Susan A. L. Marston, MBA
Regional Vice President, Kentucky, and West Virginia
TriState Minority Supplier Development Council (TSMSDC)
TIPS TO ADJUST TO THE ‘NEW NORMAL’ ….
In a short span of time, the pandemic has upended our lives and radically changed the world we once knew, with far-reaching consequences.
TSMSDC cares about its members, affiliates, associates, and friends. As the ‘Lock Downs and Stay at Home Orders’ are slowly being lifted, we continue to provide useful information that you can apply to your lives and businesses. In our collective fight against COVID-19, we are all adjusting to the ‘New Normal’ and taking precautionary steps to stay healthy, both personally and professionally. It is our hope that soon we will be able to meet and greet in person, but until then, it is important to continue preparations and follow sound guidelines to help you to stay active, in good physical shape physically and emotionally.
The ‘New Normal’ requires significant adjustments: One day at the office is now a full day of work at home; celebrations have turned into a parade of cars, and weekend outings consist of take-outs, home deliveries, while maintaining social distancing. All of this has prompted us to improvise, adapt, and rediscover the way we experience life as we used to know it.
Below, are some tips for you to continue to be your healthiest, to be of service to yourself and others, and to help ease this transition.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention and to slow transmission of COVID-19, let me suggest the following:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
- Maintain at least 6 feet distance (about 2 arms’ length) between you and the people coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Cover your mouth and nose, when coughing or sneezing.
- Stay home if you feel unwell.
- Refrain from smoking, and other activities that weaken the lungs.
- Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.
We are very fortunate to have the necessary resources to continue our progress, especially during this time. We strongly encourage you to observe social distance guidelines for your safety and that of others. TSMSDC believes in, and looks forward to building on the unique business relationships of our members and affiliates.
Until the next time, take care, stay safe, and do not underestimate the power of this epidemic.
TriState Minority Supplier Development Council (TSMSDC)
KENTUCKY AND WEST VIRGINIA
One Riverfront Plaza
401 W. Main St., Suite 1706
Louisville, KY 40202
T: 502.365.9762
TF: 844.793.1289
F: 502.365.9450
W: tsmsdc.net
|
|
|
|
|
