Philadelphia, PA - November 7, 2018...Last month, the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) recognized several Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC) corporate members during its annual Gala in Austin, TX. Each year, the event honors NMSDC corporate members, Certified MBEs and network leaders for exceptional accomplishments in promoting minority supplier development.

EMSDC member corporations EQT, Merck and Comcast NBCUniversal received Corporation of the Year awards in Classes I ($1 billion - $10 billion in revenue), II ($11 billion to $50 billion in revenue) and III ($50 billion to $100 billion in revenue), respectively. EMSDC, which works to stimulate and support economic development with minority-owned businesses throughout the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware region, is one of 23 NMSDC affiliate regional councils nationwide.

Along with highlighting the successes of numerous EMSDC corporate members, the annual Gala also recognized the outstanding achievements of several Certified MBEs across the U.S. and the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC). Sponsored by Northrop Grumman, the event marked the culmination of NMSDC's annual Conference and Business Opportunity Exchange, which brings together corporations and MBEs from across the country to re-energize their collective efforts to "Certify, Develop, Connect and Advocate" for solid minority firms in the global corporate supply chain.

"We offer our sincerest congratulations to our corporate members - EQT, Merck and Comcast NBCUniversal - who continue to grow and succeed in supplier diversity," said Valarie J. Cofield, EMSDC President & CEO. "We also congratulate the exceptional Certified MBEs whose accomplishments were recognized, as well as our fellow NMSDC affiliate, GMSDC, for all they have done to further diversify our nation's corporate supply chains."