Photo: Mark Stewart, COO of Stellantis – North America
As companies continue their work towards economic justice, new programs are being implemented to bridge the gap between talent and diversity, inclusion and equity. Stellantis, alongside the National Business League, are celebrating the close of a pilot program pushing Black-owned businesses and their leaders to the forefront. Chief officers from the program will begin to open more doors allowing the program to cultivate a new class of graduates.
A group of 13 Black-owned business participants have successfully completed the nation’s first Black Supplier Development Program pilot. As a result, several of the 13 companies have either secured or are being considered for contracts on some of Stellantis’ major marketing projects and vehicle programs. This is to include work on Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango and Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer marketing programs.
“My team is so proud to have been selected to participate in this historic program,” says Russell Westbrook of Russell Westbrook Digital, which secured contracts on Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Durango marketing programs. “We hope our leadership can open many new doors to level the playing field for millions of Black entrepreneurs, businesses and communities.”
To further their knowledge, participants in the pilot group also participated in coursework on a variety of business topics and had the opportunity to interact with Stellantis leaders, business experts and Tier 1 suppliers.
Stellantis, one of the world’s leading automakers and a mobility provider, has made strides in the area of DEI for their employees and leadership. The National Business League, founded by Booker T. Washington, is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian entity pushing for economic inclusion and empowerment for Black businesses. Now, together the two powerhouses will be able to provide tools needed for additional success of Black business owners.
“The Stellantis-National Business League Black Supplier Development Program strives to ensure that all Black business enterprises and suppliers have an equitable and inclusive stake in the global marketplace,” says Mark Stewart, COO, Stellantis – North America. “As a proof of concept, the program’s pilot generated significant business opportunities and many key learnings about finding equitable and impactful ways to engage and empower Black businesses, Black entrepreneurs and communities.”
With a budding relationship, Stellantis will continue to provide resources to the National Business League to support the development of an online portal for the program. The Detroit-based company Computech Corporation is the program’s website portal developer.
The collaboration between the two entities will also continue to create the virtual training tools that make up the program’s resource marketplace. The marketplace provides access to capital, mentorship and executive coaching, supplier training and development, bid posting and match-making.
Other Black businesses will have the opportunity to take part in the program as The program will seek applications for the second collective of Black businesses after June 19.
“The Stellantis-National Business League Supplier Development Program is well on its way to leveling the playing field and achieving economic justice for Black communities and millions of Black businesses,” says Dr. Kenneth L. Harris, president and CEO of the National Business League. “The insights leadership has gained from the pilot will ensure that we build a sustainable program of value for Black businesses for decades to come in the supplier diversity space.”
The program will support the development of more than 2.9 million Black businesses around the country and internationally for future opportunities in public and private sectors. It is estimated to assist up to 20 to 30 percent of the untapped potential of Black businesses. With the partnership, it hopes to develop sustainable Black businesses that will impact local and global economies, creating jobs through entrepreneurship and growing the number of Black businesses of all sizes.
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