Stellantis and National Business League Commence Pilot for Nation's First Black Supplier Development Program
Stellantis, in collaboration with the National Business League, has launched the National Black Supplier Development Program, aimed at fostering economic opportunities for Black businesses. The pilot program will run until Q1 2022, involving 13 diverse Black-owned businesses. The initiative seeks to develop over 2.9 million Black businesses for future procurement opportunities, addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which led to a significant closure rate among Black-owned companies. This program highlights Stellantis's commitment to racial equity in the marketplace.
- Launching the National Black Supplier Development Program to support economic opportunities for Black businesses.
- Involving 13 diverse Black-owned businesses in the pilot phase, showcasing geographic and sector diversity.
- Aiming to develop over 2.9 million Black businesses for future contracting opportunities, enhancing long-term economic empowerment.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Black businesses, with an estimated 40% closure rate in 2020.
DETROIT, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --
- Pilot to run through first quarter of 2022
- Thirteen businesses to participate in pilot, representing geographic diversity and a range of disciplines and commodities
- Post pilot, program will develop more than 2.9 million Black businesses for future contracting and procurement opportunities and success in a post-pandemic economy
Stellantis and the National Business League (NBL) today commenced their pilot of the groundbreaking National Black Supplier Development Program.
The pilot, which will run through the first quarter of 2022, is the initial phase of a larger program to develop Black suppliers for future contracting and procurement opportunities in pursuit of greater racial equity in the marketplace.
"The Stellantis-National Business League Black Supplier Development Program is an idea whose time has come," said Mark Stewart, COO, Stellantis North America, during a kick-off event at the company's Conner Event Center in Detroit. "An idea that addresses the need to take direct, decisive and intentional action to bring economic opportunity to communities that have been denied equal access to the marketplace for far too long. To confirm, in a very intentional way, that our ability to realize the full promise of our country is to ensure that its economic systems are open to all, equally."
The Stellantis-NBL National Black Supplier Development Program will support the development of more than 2.9 million Black businesses around the country and internationally for future opportunities within the federal government, and public and private sectors.
The 13 Black-owned businesses selected for the pilot program represent geographic diversity, and a range of disciplines and commodities.
"Equitable access to both international and domestic opportunities by Black businesses is fundamentally important to the future of our economy and opportunities available to Black people and communities," said Marvin Washington, Director of Electrical & Electronics Purchasing, Stellantis North America, who will also serve as National Co-Lead for the program. "This historic leadership by Stellantis and the National Business League will become a model for other Fortune 500 companies to embrace."
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In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Black businesses nationally, and an estimated
"As national trade associations pivot toward a post-COVID-19 economy, the National Business League is launching this critical program to achieve economic equity and justice for Black communities and millions of Black businesses, fulfilling the organization's 121-year-old legacy, founded by Booker T. Washington in 1900," said Dr. Kenneth Harris, president and CEO, NBL. "It is vital that corporate leaders take decisive and measurable steps outside of empty promises and platitudes to bring about commerce-driven activity in Black communities that have been historically denied access to economic opportunities for far too long."
The online virtual procurement and contracting marketplace is expected to realize 20
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