The 2023 EMSDC Choice Awards Recap
The Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC) Choice Awards celebrates and honors those who tirelessly endeavor to elevate our collective mission to certify, develop, connect, and advocate for minority businesses. This year’s theme, Stepping Out in Advocacy, was a sneaker ball held on November 30th at Rivers Casino in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and everyone looked great in their stylish kicks! In addition to the highly-anticipated awards ceremony, there was fabulous food, music and dancing, networking opportunities, and cigar smoking on the balcony before a VIP reception. We extend gratitude to our phenomenal Mistress of Ceremonies, Syreeta Martin, and our incredible corporate sponsors, for helping to make the 2023 Choice Awards a night to remember! Today, we would also like to take a moment to heartily applaud and congratulate the winners, including our Best-In-Class and Advocacy Honorees!
Best-In-Class Honorees
Corporation of the Year
Corporation of the Year is a prestigious recognition bestowed upon two companies (Regional and National) who remain steadfast in their commitment to diverse suppliers in their supply chain, creating substantial business opportunities for NMSDC-certified MBEs.
National Corporation of the Year: Comcast
Regional Corporation of the Year: Exelon
Supplier of the Year
The Supplier of the Year Award reflects EMSDC’s commitment to recognizing outstanding performance among our MBE suppliers and is presented in four categories (Classes I-IV, based on annual gross revenue). Recipients of this award have distinguished themselves and their businesses.
Supplier of the Year – Class I: Riggs Creative Group
Supplier of the Year – Class II: Cameron & Associates 8, LLC
Supplier of the Year – Class III: Team Clean
Supplier of the Year – Class IV: Pyramid Consulting
Advocacy Honorees
Corporate Advocate of the Year — Emmett T. Vaughn Award
This award honors individuals (Regional and National) that not only support the mission of EMSDC, but also serve as strong advocates, dedicated to inclusion, representation, and championing efforts and opportunities to advance the success of minority businesses.
Regional Corporate Advocate of the Year: Chuck Stefanosky, Supplier Diversity Director, Independence Blue Cross
National Corporate Advocate of the Year: Lee Lewis, Director of Supplier Diversity & Inclusion, Highmark
MBE Advocate of the Year
This award honors an MBE representative in dedication and contribution of personal time to support EMSDC programs that help to advance our mission and encourage minority business development.
Shon Yates, Executive Vice President of Energy & Utilities, Ardmore Roderick
James Brown Award
This award is for a business leader or government representative in honor of Mr. James Brown, a visionary entrepreneur who demonstrated tenacity for business excellence and community leadership.
Ayanna Khan, President & CEO, Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce
Paving the Way Award
What does it mean to pave the way? It means making something possible, represented by diversity, inclusion, and a willingness to commit time, talent, and resources to drive change and positively impact the community at large.
Avis Yates-Rivers, Chief Executive Officer, Technology Concepts Group Intl., LLC
Phoenix Award
A phoenix is a symbol of renewal, strength, and an indelible spirit. This award of distinction is bestowed upon individuals or companies for their body of work and commitment to minority business development, diversity, and inclusion.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
President Award
This award is given to an individual, company, or institution that has exemplified and helped amplify the efforts of EMSDC, representing true effort, support, and, most importantly, impact.
Victoria Daniels, J.D., Chief Supplier Diversity Officer, University of Delaware
If you would like to learn more about how to be nominated or serve on one of the award selection committees, please contact Alea Bunch at abunch@emsdc.org.
The Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization and regional affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), serving Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware. If you would like to help advance our mission to stimulate and support economic development with minority-owned businesses (Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American), please click here to make a donation this holiday season.
The mission of the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC) is to stimulate and support economic development with minority-owned businesses throughout Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware, in an effort to initiate growth and opportunity through Supplier Diversity channels. As an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), we certify and connect MBEs with member corporations that are committed to supplier development and want to purchase their products, services, and solutions.