December 22, 2014

Upcoming Events 
There are several events coming up on our calendar that are designed specifically for MBEs to learn about corporate opportunities.  We know how busy everyone's schedule is, but these are events often hosted by our corporate members with the expressed purpose of finding out more about you and your business with the ultimate aim, to make you a valuable supplier to their companies.  Here are some events you should consider:  
  • January 6, 2015 - GNEMSDC MBE Pre-Certification Webinar
  • January 15, 2015 - Northeastern University "Grow Your Own Business"
  • January 23, 2015 - MBE Orientation at 9:00 am, GNEMSDC Bridgeport Office, 333 State Street, Bridgeport CT. Click here to RSVP.
  • January 28, 2015 - GNEMSDC 1st Quarterly Meeting hosted by Boston Scientific 
  • March 5, 2015 - Business Beyond Gaming, Foxwoods
  • March 25, 2015 - Capital Summit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
  • April 10, 2015 - Eds, Meds, and Pharma Supplier Diversity Conference at Boston Convention and Exposition Center
  • April 11, 2015 - GNEMSDC 40th Anniversary Awards Gala, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
  • July 13, 2015 - GNEMSDC Supplier Diversity Golf Classic, Lake of Isles at Foxwoods
  • September 24-25, 2015 - GNEMSDC Trade Expo at Foxwoods
  • November 18, 2015- GNEMSDC - MBDA - CWE Supplier Diversity Best Practices Forum at Fenway Park, Boston, MA
GNEMSDC 40th Anniversary  Annual Sponsorship
We are excited to announce that in 2015, the GNEMSDC will be celebrating 40 years of Minority Business Development and Supplier Diversity.  We hope that all of our certified MBEs and Corporate members will consider being an Annual Sponsor this very special year.  Attached is the Sponsorship Package for 2015.  Your support is greatly needed and appreciated. 
                               Annual Sponsorship Package 2015
December 2014 MBE Orientation 
Pictured above are the newly Certified MBEs who attended the Massachusetts Orientation.  Special thanks our corporate member Bernard Grant, Senior Buyer of Northeastern University for presenting at the orientation.
Corporate Member of the Week:   Cigna 

Cigna is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services  are  p rovided  exclusively  through operating  subsidiaries of 
Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, and other related products including group disability, life, and accident coverage. Cigna has sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, with approximately 80 million customer relationships throughout the world.

Cigna's deepest commitment is to the people we serve. That's the secret of our successes. We share our stories, achievements and news with you each day.

Supplier Diversity Program
Cigna has made a strong commitment to leveraging diversity in all aspects of our business, including the multi-cultural marketing of our products and engagement of a diverse supplier base. A diverse supplier base helps Cigna achieve our mission to improve the health, well-being and security of the people we serve.
Cigna believes the success of minority- and women-owned businesses and other under-represented suppliers adds to our success and to that of the communities we serve. Minority - and women-owned businesses are often in neighborhoods that benefit greatly from the commerce and employment opportunities the businesses provide. By partnering with these suppliers, we can foster the growth of these businesses while ensuring the long-term growth of Cigna.

Every Friday Cigna will give any potential supplier a phone call to learn about their business proposal. The supplier is required to complete a short Supplier Resume, in order to identify potential buyers. 
For more information about Open Call Friday, contact Tonya Marksteiner attonya.marksteiner@cigna.com
For more information about Cigna Supplier Diversity Program and how to become a member of the program please visit http://www.cigna.com/suppliercommunity/supplier-diversity-program

MBE of the Week:    XpertTech, Inc.
 
 XpertTech is a growing minority and women owned technology staffing firm specializing in professional resourcing around consulting, contract-to-hire, and permanent direct-hire based needs. Some of our specialties are Security, Mobile Solutions, DLP, Application Development, ERP, Storage/Virtualization, Database Administration/Development and Project Management just to name a few (all the way down to the "Purple Squirrel"). We also operate a Training Academy. Learn more about our Areas of Expertise.
  • National Reach
  • Experienced Team
  • Training Academy
  • Diversity Values
  • Social Responsibility
XpertTech offers a Training Academy with a specialized curriculum in mobile and big data technologies to help our clients excel.  This same curriculum is available for corporate technical teams. To learn more our training program and services email us at info@xperttech.com or contact us (781)0281-0556.

XpertTech is headquarters is located at 400 West Cummings Park, Suite 2850, Woburn MA 01801
Penn National Exceeds MBE Goals   

 Congratulations to Penn National and Turner Construction for blowing their MBE and WBE goals out of the water on the construction project in Plainville MA.

For more story on the news click here. 
Can your business survive a disaster?
According to the Red Cross 40% of businesses do not reopen after a disaster. A Disaster Recovery Plan can increase your chances of survival. Please go to www.PrepareCT.com for more information or email Andres Lopez alopez@gnemsdc.org for one on one consultation. Get ready today to develop a Disaster Recovery Plan.
Please RSVP: 1/21/15 Boston MBDA CEO Roundtable Event 
On Wednesday, January 21 the Boston MBDA Business Center will hold its first Roundtable Event of 2015. This event will be held from 10am - 12pm in the Palladium Room at the Towers in the Copley Place Mall (2 Copley Place, 4th Floor, Boston). For more information or to RSVP, please contact Joanne Wang at jwang@bostonmbdacenter.com

Speakers: 
Jonathan DePina, the City of Boston's Assistant Director, Capital Construction in the Property & Construction Management Department will be speaking about opportunities with the city of Boston.

Jennie Peterson, Manager of Development at Wynn Resorts, will discuss the procurement opportunities at Wynn's newest location in Everett.

Michael Randazzo, Vice President of Corporate Purchasing for Penn National Gaming, Inc. will discuss procurement opportunities at Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, MA 
Bridgeport MBDA Business Center
SAVE THE DATE!

Business Beyond Gaming is a groundbreaking one day conference aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth in indian Country and increasing opportunities for Minority- owned businesses everywhere.
 
Attendees will gain in- depth exposure to business expert's, innovated ideas, new tools, techniques and resources for establishing successful enterprises.

Official Invite and Event Website for registration will launch January 5, 2015.

We look forward to seeing you On March 5, 2015 at Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. For more information contact Jade Melvin: Jmelvin@bridgeportmbdacenter.com
 
CVS Health - State Of Readiness Training Module

 CVS Health has long recognized the value of supplier diversity.  They set goals for utilization of diverse suppliers in business operations and in procurement, and they maintain management accountability for achieving these goals.  In addition, CVS Health supports customer requirements for inclusion of diverse suppliers.
Supplier development is a strong aspect in growing their program. As part of this effort, CVS Health in collaboration with Light Speed, is proud to present to you "Creating the State of Readiness".

Complete "Creating the State of Readiness" training today visiting
Invitations for Bid and Opportunities
FYI
 And Finally...
On behalf of  the GNEMSDC staff, the Boston MBDA staff and the Bridgeport MBDA staff, I wish all in our network of corporate members, certified MBEs and others a Happy Holiday season.  May you be safe and kind to others, especially those that you do not know.  Even better than this, how about giving to someone who does not deserve it. These random acts not so random acts of kindness change peoples perspectives on the world and  humanity in general.  Just a quick look at the front page of any paper clearly demonstrates that we need to spread love.  We are too often trapped in the history of fear and retaliatory justice.  Why not use this tine to re-learn the power of forgiveness and giving with no expectation of return.  I know it is hard given the prescribed roles we play, but for once, let us park our egos, our titles, our privileges, our pains and offer to one another a gift that cannot be purchased - our love.
In your service,

Dr. Fred