MBN USA

October 25, 2022

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Ralph G. Moore - 2022 Global Supply Chain Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Hall of Fame

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

A: I grew up in Evanston, Illinois. My mother worked for a Chicago, Illinois, Post Office, and my father was a laborer for the Illinois Central Railroad. They nurtured a healthy dose of self-esteem in me and my brother while teaching us to “count our blessings” and the importance of family and community. 

During the summer of 1968, I joined Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Operation Breadbasket picket lines against the A&P Grocery Stores that refused to hire Black store managers or Black contractors. After leaving Arthur Andersen & Co., I started RGMA in 1979, and the creator of the RGMA 5-Levels of Supplier Diversity, recognized as the benchmarking gold standard in the industry. 

RGMA was the primary training consultant for NMSDC [National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc.] for 24 years. I was also a key contributor to NMSDC missions that introduced supplier diversity to the Republic of South Africa in 1995/96.  I have also been the recipient of several awards, including the NMSDC Leadership Award and the NMSDC Harriet R. Michel Chairman’s Award.

Q: When and why did you become a supplier diversity and minority business development champion?

A: After leaving Arthur Andersen & Co., I became vice president for a Chicago-based Minority Enterprise Small Business Investment Co., which was part of the first national network of private equity firms focused on minority businesses. 

During my first national conference in 1974, I met [businessman] Reginald F. Lewis and Congressmen Parren Mitchell. Over the next few years, I had the opportunity to work with these two minority business legends. Their dedication and insights inspired me to make minority business development my life’s work.

Q: What do you see as the greatest challenges and opportunities for MBEs?

A: Having worked in this area since 1974, I have seen phenomenal gains in minority business development. The advent of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) has created both the most significant challenge and the greatest opportunity for MBEs.

The greatest challenge created by ESG is the misguided advice buying organizations are receiving from a plethora of new, inexperienced “consultants” on minority business capacity building and how to establish a supplier diversity program. 

This failure results in missed contracting opportunities for MBEs. The greatest opportunity is that ESG has spotlighted the connection between supplier diversity and community transformation, creating expanded opportunities within buying organizations with functional supplier diversity initiatives.

Q: What must MBEs do to participate in emerging technologies like – AI, IoT (Internet of all things), metaverse – and the globalization of supply-chain delivery?

A: The secret lies within the minority professionals that work in these industries. Those technology professionals with 10-15 years of executive-level experience need to initiate quiet strategy discussions with existing minority tech companies and members of the National Association of Investment Companies regarding acquisitions and strengthening current MBE leadership teams.

Q: What is your vision for supply-chain diversity over the next five to 10 years?

A: The future is now. The window is closing on corporate America’s $50 billion “promise” to help make the American Dream accessible to all Americans, including Black Americans. So, the next two to three years will provide a more precise focus on what supplier diversity will look like in 10 years. RGMA has digitized our playbook, so stay tuned!

Q: What would you like your legacy to be as a champion of supplier diversity?

A: Wow! This is important as it is undoubtedly legacy time for me! I hope my legacy places a spotlight on three concepts:

The importance of the history of supplier diversity and the contribution of legends such as Harriet Michel, Dorothy Brothers, Reginal F. Lewis and Congressman Parren Mitchell.

The importance of great supplier diversity practitioners and champions in transforming families, communities and nations. And why supplier diversity leaders must bring the passion of a warrior and the savvy of a diplomat to work every day.

We must teach corporate, nonprofit and government leaders that supplier diversity is the intersection of Value and Values. The value is what the tens of thousands of extraordinary MBEs deliver to value chains daily, and the values are America’s commitment to racial equity and economic justice. 

To learn more about RGMA, visit rgma.com.