April 25, 2011

The mission of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council is to significantly increase business relationships between our corporate members and our certified MBEs. We believe that minority business development is a key component of reducing poverty, unemployment, increasing wealth, and integrating American society. You are receiving this email in order to keep you abreast of developments with the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Supplier Diversity Issues and Minority Business Development. If you like what you read please share internally and externally. 2011 Annual Gala Keynote Speaker - Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. the renowned civil and human rights leader will be the keynote speaker this Thrusday evening at the GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala. We are honored and proud to have Mr. Jackson at our event this year. Do not miss this opportunity to hear his unique perspective on American history. The schedule for the evening is as follows: 3:45 - 7:30 Registration at the Wagon Wheel Entrance of Aqua Turf 4:00 - 4:50 Annual Meeting of the GNEMSDC in Wagon Wheel Room 5:00 - 6:10 Reception in the Wagon Wheel Room 6:10 - 6:25 Transition to Kay's Pier for Dinner 6:30 - 9:30 Dinner and Awards Ceremony Gala Dress - Black-Tie Optional 2011 Annual Gala President's Award - Senator Richard Blumenthal The Honorable Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) has accepted the GNEMSDC President's Award. The President's Award will be presented to Senator Blumenthal at the April 28 Annual Awards Gala. Come on out as we honor Senator Blumenthal forhis exemplary service in the area of creating a fair and just Connecticut and America. Special Guest - President NMSDC - Joset B. Wright Joset B. Wright, President, National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. will be joining us at the Gala this year. This will be Ms. Wright's first official visit to the region as President of the NMSDC. You will have an opportunity to meet and hear this dynamic leader. 2011 Annual Gala Honorary Corporate Chair - Anne Noble On behalf of the GNEMSDC Board of Directors, I warmly welcome and thank Anne Noble for agreeing to serve as the Corporate Honorary Co-Chair for the Awards Gala. Ms. Noble is President and CEO of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation. I am particularly humbled and thankful for Ms. Noble's work and commitment to increasing diversity spend with the CT Lottery and other State of Connecticut agencies. 2011 Annual Gala Honorary Co - Chair Derrick Diggs Derrick Diggs, Vice President, Director of Business Development On behalf of the GNEMSDC Board of Directors, I thank Derrick Diggs of Diggs Construction for his support of the Annual Awards Gala as the Honorary Co-Chair representing certified MBEs. 2011 Annual Gala Singer - Elizabeth Lyra Ross Elizabeth Lyra Ross We are very pleased to have as one of our musical guests for the upcoming Awards Gala, Elizabeth Lyra Ross. Ms. Ross is a talented opera singer who has performed internationally and has four CDs to her credit. I am sure you will enjoy her talents on April 28th. 2011 Annual Gala MC - Ayana Harry We are very pleased to announce that Fox 5 News Anchor, Ayana Harrywill be joining us at the Gala this year as our MC. This will be Ms. Harry's first GNEMSDC event, so let's be prepared to give her a warm welcome. Where are the Sponsors Sitting We have exceeded all of our previous attendance records with this event. I encourage all of our attendees to take a look at the Map of Room which shows how the tables are numbered. Knowing where you are seated will expedite the transition from reception to dinner. We also for the benefit of our 84 Sponsors have published where they are seated on the floor of the Aqua Turf. We are looking forward to a great evening for our Sponsors and all of our guests,Sponsors seats. And the Nominees Are.... The purpose of the Annual Awards Gala is to recognize excellence. We are proud of all of theCorporate and MBEs nominees. On behalf of the board of directors, I wish each of you the best.

New And Finally II eBook Available I am very pleased to announce that my second book that chronicles the And Finally column and the various essays, articles, opinion pieces and unsolicited advice on a wide range of topics will be released as an eBooktoday, April 25. The book And Finally II & Essays on Minority Business Development covers the period January 1, 2007 though December 31 2010. This four year period was an exciting time for the Council, the economy, the country, and the world. This book is 400 pages long, greater than twice the size of the first And Finally book. I see this as a book for the minority entrepreneur to keep by their desk. I also see this as something a supplier diversity professional can refer to in their daily struggles. All of the proceeds for the book will be donated to the GNEMSDC. So this is a great way to have your own personal record of this historic time and support the Council. And since all proceeds are going directly to the GNEMSDC your purchase is tax deductible. Our plan is to only sell the book on line. You can read it on all I-Pads, other tables, cell phones and computers. Your purchase supports the work of the Council. Thank you for your support. Order eBook today at: www.drfredmckinney.com View eBook Table of Content And Finally... While editing my book, I found this entry prior to the Awards Gala in 2008. I think it is still relevant today as we all prepare for the Gala. As lawyers like to say to say in Latin, 'res ipsa loquitur", it speaks for itself. 1. Bring plenty of business cards. There is nothing more frustrating for an MBE to hear that you only brought a couple of business cards and you are all out. So make a mental note today. 2. Realize that as a representative of your corporation, you are the face and spokesperson from the perspective of everyone that you meet at the Banquet. As such you have a very important role to play in the success of our mission. MBEs are looking for information at this event as well as they are looking for friends within the walls of your organization. Be open, honest and encouraging. Realize and appreciate that MBEs will be calling on you if you ask them to. 3. Get out of your comfort zone. While you might be sitting with your colleagues from the office, make sure you take the effort to introduce MBEs to other members of your team in attendance. You would be surprised to see how networks are expanded by making simple introductions of this nature. 4. Just as MBEs should contact prospective clients, corporate members should contact MBEs who have knocked on their doors and ask them to attend the Banquet. A call from you would go a long way to helping us reach our attendance goals, but would also be extremely beneficial for MBEs who need to get out more. 5. You should also call a few of your major large non minority corporate suppliers. These large suppliers will often have opportunities for our certified MBEs. Use your leverage to accomplish your goals. A friend once told me that when you are a hammer you strike and when you are nail be prepared to be struck. Well you are a hammer, perhaps a soft tap on a large non-minority supplier from you is all that is needed to introduce them to the wisdom of supplier diversity. 6. If your company or individuals within your company are being nominated, you should make sure that information gets to your internal public relations group. This information makes great copy for internal newsletters and updates on your corporate website. In your service, Dr. Fred