The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, Georgia’s leading small business development and supplier diversity advocacy organization, has established a Disaster Relief Certification Fund.

GMSDC is responding to this challenging time by reintroducing GMSDC Cares, the organization’s advocacy work to assist the business community impacted by economic hardship. As part of GMSDC Cares, the Disaster Relief Certification Fund will be used to help Minority Business Enterprises retain their certification and remain active with GMSDC. Due to the generosity of The Coca-Cola Company and Truist, GMSDC can help make an immediate impact on minority businesses.

GMSDC provides minority businesses access to business opportunities, educational programming, and corporate supply chains. “Minority businesses are facing financial challenges from COVID-19, as this crisis is leaving business owners and those they employ without work and uncertain about their future,” said Stacey Key, GMSDC President and CEO. “This fund will assist minority businesses in their recovery efforts and offer them a pathway for continued growth.”

This fund will be available Friday, May 1^st. Funding requests will be open to current certified Minority Business Enterprises with revenues less than $5 million applying for recertification. For more information, please visit our website at www.gmsdc.org.

As GMSDC continues to adapt and respond to its constituents’ needs, the organization is leveraging technology and providing access to relevant resources through its virtual platform. GMSDC’s virtual platform and technology initiatives includes:

Virtual Individual Procurement Conference – This platform will allow minority-owned suppliers and corporate procurement decision-makers to connect with one another online and find ways to do business.

Opportunity Calls – These calls will allow corporate entities to share their current business opportunities and identify minority suppliers to fulfill immediate needs.

GMSDC Skill for Amazon Alexa – Through Amazon’s voice-based technology, users can stay connected and learn more about what’s happening at GMSDC. The GMSDC Skill for Alexa will be launched May 1st.