MBN USA

October 25, 2021

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AT&T is a 2001 BDR charter member

“We have always strived to make meaningful contributions to the economic growth of diverse companies and communities, which means leveling the playing field, removing barriers and working in alliance with other corporations to build up a strong network and ecosystem for diverse business success.” — Jalayna Bolden, director, supplier diversity

Q. When did your company begin its supplier diversity program?

A: 1968.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your supplier diversity program history?

A: AT&T’s program was born out of the 1960s as the country was faced with systemic racial and economic challenges. During that time, several business leaders in the Chicago community realized that business ownership was one of the keys to economic empowerment.

AT&T — then Western Electric [Co.] — joined by a few other dedicated leaders in the business and civil rights community, began the first Small Business Opportunity Day held at our Hawthorne Works facility in 1968. That year, AT&T recorded $175,000 in purchases from nine minority businesses. Over the last 53 years, through multiple business transformations, our program remains strong, and we remain committed to supporting diverse businesses.

Since 1968, we have spent approximately $200 billion with minority, women’s, disabled, veteran and [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] businesses, which helped to spur a legion of new businesses in communications and technology. We have been in the forefront to help launch diversity business organizations and provide resources for the ecosystem that supports diverse-business success. We continue to support diverse businesses at AT&T because, for over 53 years, we know it makes us a stronger company.

Today, our program is focused on supplier advocacy and business fostering and development. We understand that spend is important, yet we believe that providing a pathway for diverse businesses to build capacity is critical for their viability and continued growth. We are intentional in encouraging business fostering and mentoring, particularly between large prime contractors and smaller diverse businesses. We are taking business development to the next phase.

Q: Why did your company decide to become a BDR member?

A: AT&T is an inaugural member of Billion Dollar Roundtable. Our association with BDR began with our participation in the initial meetings working with Don McKneely [founder and president of MBN USA and chairman emeritus of Billion Dollar Roundtable Inc.], representatives at Ford [Motor Co.] and the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency to develop strategy and determine the charter for BDR. AT&T was one of the 10 corporations in 2001 that documented spend of more than $1 billion with minority-owned businesses.

We have always strived to make meaningful contributions to the economic growth of diverse companies and communities, which means leveling the playing field, removing barriers and working in alliance with other corporations to build up a strong network and ecosystem for diverse business success. BDR is at the core of helping corporations build supplier diversity success. AT&T is proud to be a founding member, and we continue to build on our relationship and legacy with BDR.

Q:  Besides having a $1 billion annual spend with diverse suppliers, what does it take to be a BDR company?

A: As an inaugural member of BDR, we embody and embrace the goals and mission of the organization. For others who aspire to become a BDR member, it — first and foremost — takes commitment. Not just a statement of commitment, but a true commitment to setting and attaining goals for spend and strategies for MBE growth and development. Corporations also should understand that supplier diversity is a business imperative and is integral to how we support our communities and our economy.

It also takes collaboration between supplier diversity, supply chain and the business units within your corporation to move the needle. Supplier diversity managers should be aligned to support the sourcing team that manages commodity categories throughout the procurement process. This approach will provide collaboration with key business partners, enabling the team to advocate for diverse suppliers with successful outcomes.

Q: How has your company benefited from BDR membership?

A: From its inception and our participation, BDR has served as the grounding that was needed for corporations to discuss common challenges and discover solutions that could help all of us in our respective corporations.

BDR created the forum where we can share, learn from one another and achieve success in our respective programs and, ultimately, contribute to growing world-class suppliers. AT&T consults with BDR corporate members often to survey and benchmark when seeking suppliers in nontraditional areas of spend or for program strategies.

AT&T has been afforded the opportunity to help create policies and provide solutions to advance diverse businesses. We are currently doing business with several companies that have increased capacity over the years through the support of BDR corporate members. Diverse companies who are scaling their businesses are introduced to BDR members which can lead to increased opportunities.

We benefit from BDR membership because we recognize the economic impact and value of providing opportunities and driving equity and inclusion for the supplier diversity community by collaborating with other corporations.

Q: What advice do you have for MBEs interested in doing business with your company?

A: My tips are as true today as they were yesterday, but I believe they are foundational to assisting MBEs open the door to getting seats at the table.

Do your research. Know our current business areas of focus and planned projects. Read the information provided in industry publications and on our corporate and AT&T suppliers website for our supplier requirements. We are very dynamic, and we are transforming various aspects of our business.

Be able to articulate your business proposition. What I mean by this is not just give us your marketing pitch; make sure that your company can bring complementary or new, innovative solutions to the table. Be a problem solver!

Be open to a Tier II opportunity with an AT&T prime supplier. It is a path to begin a relationship with AT&T indirectly. You want an opportunity to participate, and for many MBEs that are smaller, this [Tier II opportunity] is a great entry.

Q: What’s your vision for the future of minority business development and supply chain diversity? 

A: We believe it is critical to invest in diverse supplier success and growth. AT&T recognized that a refreshed approach to our program was needed, and we pivoted our program to develop our three-pillar approach of business fostering, Tier II improvement and advocacy. These initiatives within our program promote scale and capacity for many of our diverse suppliers, which can lead to business growth.

The economic impact of supplier diversity is vitally important and should not be ignored. We began collecting workforce data from our suppliers to determine our contribution to the number of jobs retained and jobs created in the communities we serve. BDR is one of the places where these conversations are taking place. We are proud of being a BDR member.

To learn more about AT&T’s supplier diversity program, visit attsupplierdiversity.com.