Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council

Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council The MPMSDC drives the growth of Minority Business Enterprises through business relationships with corporations, government, and academic entities.

As an affiliate regional council of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) serving Colorado, Kansas, Western Missouri, and Nebraska we provide a direct link between Corporate America and Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American owned businesses. The Mountain Plains MSDC was originally incorporated in 1974 as Minority Enterprises, Inc. after executives from corporations in th

e Rocky Mountain region came together at the Denver Chamber of Commerce to discuss the future of minority business in Colorado. Meeting on a monthly basis, these individuals formed the Executive Task Force, which eventually became the Rocky Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council. In 2014 the NMSDC introduced their Strategic Plan for 2012-2016 as a way of better serving the Corporate Members and Certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). As a result, the Rocky Mountain MSDC’s service area was changed from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming to Colorado, Kansas, Western Missouri and Nebraska. The Council was also renamed to the Mountain Plains MSDC in order to better reflect the new region. Today there are over 130 local corporations and government entities involved with the Council, and over 500 minority-owned businesses certified with the Mountain Plains MSDC. Several of these certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) have grown to the level of Fortune 500 companies and achieved Corporate Plus status with the NMSDC. Through our extensive certification process, Corporate Member support, free networking events, educational programs, and supplier diversity initiatives we strive to develop minority-owned businesses to their full potential.

MPMSDC made the pages of the latest Denver Urban Spectrum. Read how we're showing up for minority owned businesses acros...
08/25/2026

MPMSDC made the pages of the latest Denver Urban Spectrum. Read how we're showing up for minority owned businesses across Denver and beyond at https://denverurbanspectrum.com/listings/items/august-2026/​

Stephanie Knight, President and CEO, and Antisha Gaitan, Sr. Manager of MBE Engagement and Partnerships, shared what's been happening behind the scenes because the council has been doing real work to show up differently for our members.​

The article captures something we feel every day: this team is focused on delivering what MBEs actually need to win contracts and grow.​

Stronger connections, clearer pathways, and events throughout Colorado, Kansas, Western Missouri, and Nebraska that bring diverse suppliers face-to-face with the corporate partners who want to work with them.​

Transformation takes time, and it takes the right people committed to making it happen. We're grateful for the spotlight and even more grateful for the community that keeps pushing us to do this well.​

Check out the August issue of Denver Urban Spectrum to read the full story.

Real connections happen face to face.​We had the privilege of joining McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.'s Community Enga...
08/23/2026

Real connections happen face to face.​

We had the privilege of joining McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.'s Community Engagement​ Reverse Networking Event at MCC Penn Valley Campus in Kansas City, and it reminded us why showing up matters so much for the businesses we serve.​

​Diverse business owners set up tables, shared their stories, and spoke directly with the McCarthy team about real upcoming opportunities. That kind of direct access is exactly what changes the trajectory of a growing business.​

We were especially glad to see one of our own certified MBEs, Vazquez Commercial Contracting LLC, in the room, representing with excellence alongside other talented business owners. ​

Thank you to McCarthy's Director, Workforce & Community Engagement,​ Central Region, Vladimir Monroe, for the invitation.​

Events like this show what's possible when corporations and​ diverse suppliers sit at the same table with shared purpose. McCarthy's​ investment in these relationships reflects the kind of partnership that produces lasting value, for businesses, for communities, and for the regions we all call home.

Certified... now what? If you're not sure how to turn your MBE status into actual contracts, this session is your next s...
08/19/2026

Certified... now what? If you're not sure how to turn your MBE status into actual contracts, this session is your next step. ​

Our LaunchPad webinar on Tuesday, August 25th is built for what comes after you certify. ​Register here https://www.mpmsdc.org/mbe-orientation/

If you're newly certified, LaunchPad maps out how to turn your certification into real relationships: where to focus, how to get introduced, and how to keep building capacity over time. ​

We'll also point you toward resources like the Denver Minority Business Development Agency Business Center, which supports diverse businesses with growth planning and capacity building. ​

Whether you're newly certified or have already submitted your certification application, this session is for you.

After 25+ years in HR, from corporate leadership to breaking ground as one of the first Black owners in the cannabis ind...
08/18/2026

After 25+ years in HR, from corporate leadership to breaking ground as one of the first Black owners in the cannabis industry, Dakeana Jones - Bishop built Human Resources Unleashed to help small and mid-sized companies fix what their brand alone can't: the people side of the business.​

Her approach is simple. Listen first.

No cookie-cutter solutions, no unnecessary pitches, just real conversations that uncover what a company actually needs, whether that's a culture assessment, leadership training, or a full HR overhaul.​

Since becoming a certified MBE with Mountain Plains, Dakeana has expanded into government contracting and completed an AI Cyber Pro certification, all while staying true to her mission: helping organizations understand that HR belongs at the table.​

Connect with Dakeana and Human Resources Unleashed to see how she can help unleash your culture.

08/15/2026

Your next contract may start with a relationship.​

You've probably spent years perfecting your product or service, building​ something worth buying. But winning corporate contracts requires​ more than capability alone. Procurement decision-makers work with​ people they know and trust, so the relationships you build today can shape​ the contracts you land tomorrow.​

Strategic networking does more than expand your contact list. It puts​ you in rooms where decisions get made, surrounds you with peers​ who've faced the same barriers, and connects you with mentors who​ can shorten your learning curve.

For diverse and emerging business​ owners, that kind of access can be the difference between staying small​ and scaling sustainably.​ Partnerships multiply what you can do alone. When you align with the​ right organizations and corporate partners, you gain visibility, credibility,​ and a clear pathway to growth that creates lasting impact for your​ business and your community.​

Hear from Monique M. Dyers, P.E., CEO of Ensight Energy Consulting, about her experience with partnerships.

We are thrilled to invite you to the 2026 NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange! Join thousands of your peers and us at thi...
08/13/2026

We are thrilled to invite you to the 2026 NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange! Join thousands of your peers and us at this premier event on October 25-28, 2026, in Los Angeles.​

This year's theme, “Drive Growth for Shared Prosperity,” explores how collaboration, innovation, and business connections can create new opportunities and lasting economic impact.​

The NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange brings together thousands of corporate procurement leaders, suppliers, entrepreneurs, vendors, investors and strategic partners for four days of days of networking, learning, sharing and growing together. ​

Here's what you can expect:​
- Inspiring speakers and presentations by industry leaders​
- Matchmaking and networking opportunities​
- Educational sessions focused on business growth and innovation​
- Connections with supplier inclusion and procurement professionals​
- Engage with certified-MBEs, corporate members, and strategic partners
- Recognition of excellence across the NMSDC Network ​

Whether you're looking to grow your connections, discover new business opportunities, or strengthen your commitment to supplier inclusion, this is the year’sbiggest and most valuable event to attend.​

Register today! https://bit.ly/nmsdcconf26-regional

Join the upcoming MBDA Federal Resources webinar on Tuesday, August 18th with the GSA for a session on the Multiple Awar...
08/12/2026

Join the upcoming MBDA Federal Resources webinar on Tuesday, August 18th with the GSA for a session on the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) and technology-focused GWACs, built specifically for firms competing in IT and emerging tech, including robotics and AI.​

​Save your spot and register at https://denvermbdacenter.com/webinar​

​You'll learn:​
- How GSA contract vehicles actually work​
- How to position your firm for opportunities in emerging technologies​
- Pathways to becoming a GSA Schedule contract holder​

Whether you're just exploring federal contracting or ready to compete for tech-focused awards, this session will give you a clearer roadmap forward.​

Tell us in the comments: what's your biggest question about federal contracting?

August is Black Business Month, and Black-owned businesses are building supply chain relationships that strengthen entir...
08/11/2026

August is Black Business Month, and Black-owned businesses are building supply chain relationships that strengthen entire communities.​

This month, we are celebrating the founders, operators, and teams who turn opportunities into contracts and contracts into jobs.​

​MPMSDC exists to make that path shorter. As the NMSDC affiliate serving this region, we prepare diverse businesses for corporate engagement and help connect them with corporate teams looking for qualified suppliers.​

​Every certified MBE in our network represents capability that corporations need and communities benefit from. Every corporate member represents a buyer who understands that strong supplier relationships drive measurable business results.​

​All month long, we will share stories, resources, and practical steps for suppliers and buyers alike.​

Follow MPMSDC and see what access to opportunity looks like in practice.

MBE certification is a credential many procurement teams look for when they source diverse businesses. ​Certification th...
08/10/2026

MBE certification is a credential many procurement teams look for when they source diverse businesses. ​

Certification through NMSDC verifies that your business is at least 51 percent minority-owned, managed, and controlled along with having verifiable financials. That verification carries weight because corporations trust the standard, and we are the affiliate that works with certified businesses across Colorado, Kansas, Western Missouri, and Nebraska.​

If you are interested in learning more about certification, mark your calendar for our pre-certification webinar Tuesday, August 11th at 10 am MST and 11 am CST.​

We walk through what certification is, why corporate buyers value it, and what you need to apply.​

​Once certified, you gain access to our supplier database, matchmaking events, bid opportunities, and a network of buyers actively seeking what you sell. You also gain a team in Denver and Kansas City that helps you prepare before you ever walk into a procurement conversation.​

Visit https://www.mpmsdc.org/mbe-orientation to register and invite another business owner who's considering certification too.

Winning contracts isn't about luck. It's about knowing what buyers are actually looking for.​​That's exactly what Contra...
08/09/2026

Winning contracts isn't about luck. It's about knowing what buyers are actually looking for.​

That's exactly what Contracting with Carolyn is built for.​

In each session, Carolyn breaks down the real mechanics of corporate and government contracting, from understanding terms to spotting what buyers expect.​

Schedule an appointment https://www.mpmsdc.org/contracting-with-carolyn. Sessions are now available virtually or in person at our Denver office on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Book your 1:1 session online for this Tuesday, August 11th, between 9 AM and 4 PM MST.​

Tell us in the comments which contracting questions you'd like Carolyn to tackle.

Address

6025 South Quebec Street , Suite 135
Centennial, CO
80111

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13036233037

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