Large corporations with Supplier Diversity Departments recognize the importance of utilizing Minority and Women owned businesses that offer quality products and services on a competitive basis.  The ever-changing environment of our current economy requires corporations to actively seek out a diverse population of suppliers.  This need has resulted in Supplier Diversity being an integral part of diverse businesses as well as large corporations. 

These corporations actively see to provide opportunities for diverse supplier participation in their procurment and sourcing processes.   In 2004 alone, corporations purchased in excess of $87 billion (USD) from minority-owned businesses.

The government requires many corporations to maintain a certain level of contract with diverse businesses in order ot maintain government contracts.   Additionally, there are many incentives that exist to facilitate business between corporations and diverse businesses; this results in diverse businesses receiving preference in many areas.  The fact is that many corporations increase their bottom-line by building and maintaining relationships with diverse businesses through ther Supplier Diversity Department.

Large corporations have created opportunities for diverse businesses by asking them to register their companies with their Supplier Diversity Department.  Most of these programs maintain their own database of potential diverse suppliers and the product and services they provide.  The Supplier Diversity Department allows them to better identify and engage diverse suppliers.

Currently, minorities represent approximately 28% of the United States population, although minority businesses represent only approximately 15% of all businesses, 3% of gross receipts and 4% of total corporate purchases.  Clearly there are significant opportunities for growth in the diverse business sector.