Empowering
Advancing Business Diversity
TSMSDC is a non-profit economic development organization supporting growth in Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia by encouraging the procurement of goods and services from minority-owned businesses.
Advancing Business and Procurement Opportunities
Our mission is to ensure the development of mutually beneficial relationships between ethnic minority businesses (suppliers) and major corporations (purchasers), by promoting and expanding business and procurement opportunities as they strive to be the product and service providers of choice. In fulfilling this mission, we produce strategic value and benefits for Corporate Members by identifying and qualifying strategic MBEs to accelerate business growth.
Certify
The journey to MBE growth starts with certification, the trusted foundation for engagement with NMSDC corporate members.
Develop
We provide education, access to capital, and technical assistance to boost entrepreneurship for MBEs and their communities.
Connect
Our network of corporate members enables NMSDC to directly connect MBEs to new contracts /business/ supplier opportunities.
Advocate
Ensuring equitable access for certified MBEs to participate in the business ecosystem is critical in moving our nation forward.
Who We Are
TSMSDC: TriState Minority Supplier Development Council
We offer certification for minority-owned businesses, educational opportunities, bid proposals, facilitate introductions to corporate procurement officials, provide access to capital and capital-readiness programs, and create networking opportunities for bid proposals through corporate procurement officials and government buying agencies.
How We Help
Empowering Diversity And Building Success, Through Trusted Business Connections
We connect minority-owned businesses with major purchasers through targeted events, programs, and activities designed to foster meaningful business relationships and opportunities. We turn contacts into contracts.
why we help
Promoting Supplier Diversity for Business Success
At TSMSDC, we believe in the power of supplier diversity. By connecting certified minority-owned businesses (MBEs) with major purchasers, we create opportunities for growth and success. Join us in advocating for the value of supplier diversity and building a stronger business community.
- Inclusivity: We create opportunities for minority-owned businesses, ensuring no one is left behind.
- Equity: We strive for fairness in all our interactions, providing equal access to resources and opportunities.
- Empowerment: We enable businesses to grow by providing the tools and connections they need to succeed.
- Integrity: We maintain transparency and honesty in all our connections, building trust with our stakeholders.
- Community: We foster a supportive network where businesses can collaborate and thrive together.
Our Journey: From Founding to Milestones
TSMSDC has a rich history, starting from its founding and achieving significant milestones over the years. We have been dedicated to advancing business and procurement opportunities for certified minority businesses and connecting them to member corporations.
Present
Founder and managing editor of inBusiness Magazine, an annual publication reaching buyers and sellers.
April 2024
Inaugural Community Leadership Award by Dollar General Corporation.
February 2023
Black History Month at Pinnacle Bank
2023
Celebrating Black Leadership in Nashville Profile by Nashville Business Journal.
November 2022
Global Supply Chain, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Hall of Fame Honoree; presented by MSN USA Magazine.
May 2022
Recognition as one of 100 Women Advancing Women List presented by WE USA Women’s Enterprise.
April 2021
TSMSDC Centers of Excellence connects 19 MBE Protégés with 9 Corporate Mentors resulting in more than $56 million spent among participants.
1994
Established the Education Foundation, raising over $2.4 million to support 414 high school graduates and 40 plus minority business owners with educational opportunities.
TSMSDC Board Of Directors
The hardworking individuals behind TSMSDC.
Executive Committee
Attorney Richard Manson
SourceMark Medical
Goverance Task Force Committee
Nicole Dunigan
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Finance Task Force Committee
Warren Sawyers
Atlas Management Corporation
Human Resource Task Force Committee
Cheri Henderson
TSMSDC
President & CEO
Board Members
Attorney M. Kimberly Stagg
Dickinson Wright
Audit Task Force & Certification Committee
Marilyn Clark
University of Kentucky
Marketing/PR/Social Media Task Force Committee
Dr. Herman Williams MD, MBA, MPH
Herman Williams Healthcare Solutions
Strategic Planning Task Force Committee
Keith Hamilton
LB Manufacturing
Development Task Force Committee
Collaborating with industry leaders to drive minority business success
Since joining the TriState Minority Supplier Development Council (TSMSDC) in 2013, I have had the opportunity to connect with other MBE’s through various networking and management training programs which have been instrumental in my business development and growth. I was nominated by TSMSDC to attend a one-week revered Business Executive Management Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. TSMSDC continues to provide great opportunities for minority business leaders, as well as future minority leaders, through the annual Impact Awards for graduating high school seniors. TSMSDC has been a valued asset for my company.
James C. Wingard
President and CEO
Wingard Quality Supply, LLC
Prior to 2020, I was unaware of the TSMSDC, but wish I had known about the organization when I started my business in 2018. Now, being a certified MBE, and having TSMSDC as a client, I am a devoted advocate of this premier organization. I have learned so much over the years on how to scale my business, with exposure to opportunities that I would not be privileged without being a certified MBE.
TSMSDC is the right connection among MBE’s and major purchasers. TSMSDC understands the great need for diversity, equity and inclusion in the marketplace, and how it advances corporate supply chain’s bottom-line to partner with minority businesses.
I am so proud to be a part of what I consider to be a movement that empowers minority businesses to be successful in today’s business economy. Minority business representation matters!
Markeith A. Braden
CEO & Founder
Markeith Braden & Company, LLC
Diversified Supply has been a certified MBE of TSMSDC for 33 rewarding years. Being an affiliate, Diversified has been introduced, and developed viable business relationships with many Fortune 500 companies. TSMSDC has truly been a value add to Diversified’s business as a global distributor of electrical and instrumentation process supplies. I believe it is important for minority-owned businesses to join the TSMSDC to help their business grow and succeed.
Dan K. Anderson
President
Diversified Supply, Inc.
As we are still in the infancy stages (2 years old) of standing up our supplier diversity business initiative here at Dollar General, TSMSDC has been very instrumental in the process, as well as our early success. TSMSDC has been influential in helping us source diverse goods and service providers, they were very involved in the planning and success of our inaugural supplier diversity summit, and they continue to be an advocate and a resource for us locally as well as nationally.
We have participated in their matchmaking events over the last several years as well as been a sponsor and a panelist for their Virtual Business Marketplace Workshop. In addition to that, we have donated to the TMSDC Education Foundation, which helps provide college scholarships for high school graduates. Reason being is because it aligns with our core values as a company.
Not only has Cheri Henderson been a great business partner and advocate for Dollar General, personally she has been a great friend and mentor to me. Our program would not be where it is today if it wasn’t for her, which is why she was awarded with our 2024 Community Leadership Award. We look forward to continuing to strengthening our partnership with TSMSDC moving forward.
Antoine Hinton, MBA
Senior Director, Supplier Diversity
Dollar General Corporation
The TSMSDC is a viable nonprofit that advances procurement opportunities among major purchasers and minority suppliers (MBEs). For nearly 30 years, the Council has been an integral part of our marketing efforts.
The networking opportunities, training sessions, matchmaking, mentor-protégé programs, and direct connections, have helped us to improve our infrastructure and significantly increase our revenue.
No doubt, due to my involvement and participation, Atlas Management Corporation is a direct benefactor of the work and worth of TSMSDC!
Warren A. Sawyers
President & CEO
Atlas Management Corporation
NMSDC: National Minority Supplier Development Council
TSMSDC is one of 23 regional affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). Its network includes over 1,700 national and local Corporate Members and a database of more that 17,000 certified MBEs nationwide.