The National Black Supplier Development Program (NBSDP) has secured over $100,000,000 in purchasing contracts for Black-owned businesses over the last two years.

“We have progressed far beyond the days of business card exchanges, chicken dinners, empty press conferences and announcements, and we are now steadfastly dedicated to fostering commerce-driven initiatives and purposeful opportunities, going beyond mere words and charismatic speeches,” Dr. Ken L. Harris, Ph.D., president and CEO of the National Business League (NBL), which runs the program, said in a statement.

Additionally, the NBL recently welcomed its latest cohort for the NBSDP. Businesses include:

• The Advantage Group, Louisville, Kentucky
• Mutombo Coffee, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Chatdesk Inc., New York, New York
• Heritage Vision Plans, Detroit, Michigan
• HESS Advanced Solutions, Dayton, Ohio
• James Group International, Detroit, Michigan
• LED Trail, Portland, Oregon
• Pacific Medical Specialties, LLC, Rancho Cucamonga, California
• Polar Group, LLC, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
• Production Spring, LLC, Troy, Michigan
• Tucker Technology, Inc., Oakland, California
• VMX International, LLC, Detroit, Michigan

“Our goal is to support the development of more than 3.2 million Black businesses nationwide, providing them with opportunities within the federal government, as well as the public and private sectors,” Dr. Forrest Carter, Ph.D., NBSDP national director, said in a statement.

The NBSDP, launched in 2021 with initial capital support from MPS Group and a significant three-year funding commitment from presenting partner Stellantis, was formed to address the economic challenges faced by Black-owned businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also emerged as a response to the urgent call for racial equity and inclusion following the tragic murder of George Floyd, igniting the global Black Lives Matter movement. In its second year, the program gained further momentum with the support of partners like Comerica Bank, Cummins, DTE Energy, Ford, General Motors (GM), Lear, Magna, and Toyota, a statement reads.