The Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council celebrated its 50th Anniversary this year.

The good news is that the racial injustice of the early 70s led to the creation of this advocacy organization. The bad news is that the need for CRMSDC remains a critical factor based on existing economic injustices after fifty years. Closing the racial wealth gap across the economy is crucial. Our future depends on minority businesses achieving economic parity. The Council remains on the frontline in its work. Our significant achievements are outlined in our 50-year timeline.

Throughout the year, we were able to shine a spotlight on our corporations and minority businesses. Our corporations have demonstrated their commitment and have made significant strides with their diversity and inclusion strategies. Our competitively viable MBEs always continue to impress the marketplace with their capabilities and readiness for opportunities.

CRMSDC thanks you for your support.

Please take a moment to scroll down memory lane as we recap our milestone year. We remain firmly committed to our mission. It has been battle-tested, and yet it still endures.

This year we’ve added 12 new corporate members and sponsors to our roster of distinguished companies across the DMV representing; the health & wellness, IT consulting, higher education and internet publishing industries.These wins fuel our pipeline of opportunities for our well-established MBEs. Additionally, our new partners have already begun to engage us bringing fresh perspective and innovative ideas to our organization.

Our competitively viable MBEs currently drive economic output to our local economy creating 47,000 jobs whereby over 70% are minorities. We celebrate that we’ve added 121 newly certified MBEs with nearly 400 MBEs re-certifying representing over 600 certified minority-owned firms. Their collective impact is meaningful, whereby nearly 52% generate annual revenues over $1 million.

CRMSDC’s programming is best in class in the region and across the country. We’ve partnered with our corporate members to deliver relevant executive education, training and support to our MBE’s. Our webinars through our Virginia MBDA Business Center has served over 2,700 MBE’s, our Hotchat Podcasts have featured some of the most distinguished guests sharing their knowledge and experience and Exelon’s premier Foundations Academy has empowered MBEs within the utility industry. We’re looking forward to delivering added-value programming in the New Year!

››› Stay Tuned! ‹‹‹

This year, through our outreach efforts, we executed a virtual Super Matchmaker experience and our annual Business Golf Outing to drive 1:1 engagement and contract opportunities. We’re also representing our members and partners daily across federal, state and local governments to serve as a voice — contributing to the legislative conversations and offering solutions that impact our minority-owned firms. We will continue that work, keeping MBEs at the heart of what we do every day!

As we celebrate our hallmark 50 year anniversary we reflect and leave behind challenges that have shaped us, yet grateful for milestones of success! And for a fourth year in a row, we’ve received noted recognition from the Washington Business Journal as one of the region’s Top 25 Largest Business Advocacy groups in greater D.C.

And with you; our members, partners, interested stakeholders and advocates — our mission endures — to advance growth and ensure economic equity and opportunity across this great region.