MGM Resorts International: Message of Outreach Kenyatta Lewis Executive director of supplier diversity for MGM Resorts. Story by: Alejandro
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ispanic-owned businesses have long played an important role in MGM Resorts International’s success. As the gaming and hospitality company expands into new markets, its leaders continue to depend on those businesses to provide innovative and competitive products and services, says Kenyatta Lewis, executive director of supplier diversity for MGM Resorts. “Our guests may not realize that many of our products and services they encounter come from Latino owned businesses,” Lewis says. “The linens they sleep on, the food they eat, much of it is sourced from local Hispanic-owned businesses. They are critical suppliers to our company.” In fact, Hispanic businesses account for 25 percent of MGM Resorts’ overall diversity spend, which falls between $25 million and $50 million every year. That puts them squarely in the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Million Dollar Club, a distinction given to corporations that spend over a million dollars annually with Hispanic Business Enterprises (HBEs). MGM Resorts has appeared on the list every year since its inception in 2010. “Diverse businesses, like our Latino suppliers, are nimble, deliver innovation, and create a great deal of competition within the supply chain,” Lewis says. “In many ways, diverse businesses help MGM be a better corporation.” In 2000, MGM Resorts became the first company in the hospitality and gaming industry to adopt a diversity initiative. That led to the creation of a Supplier Diversity department, which ensures that diverse businesses are engaged and provided with
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opportunities to grow and expand their scope not only with the company, but throughout the nation, Lewis says. But the company’s engagement of HBEs spans decades. For instance, the HBE Tortillas, Incorporated, has been a longstanding supplier since the 1980s, providing tortillas and Mexican food to all of MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas properties. Lewis credits the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with helping MGM Resorts identify HBEs over the course of their partnership. The company has been an active participant on the Procurement Council Advisory Board and the Senior Executive Council Advisory Board. “Those boards really elevate the best of the best of Latino-owned businesses across the nation,” Lewis says. RenuOil is another example of an HBE that has significantly grown and expanded because of its relationship with MGM Resorts. The family-owned business started by providing asset recovery and cooking oil recycling services for a few MGM Resorts properties. RenuOil has since grown to service all 12 MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas properties. As a result of their success, the business owners were invited to participate in MGM Resorts’ supplier diversity mentorship program. RenuOil representatives were paired with MGM Resorts’ Chief Procurement Officer Stacey Taylor for six months. They received hands-on guidance and best practices in enhancing their business strategy, which can support their growth beyond MGM Resorts, Lewis says. “Through the mentor program, suppliers are connected to executives throughout our organization, and receive critical feedback to enhance their business acumen,” Lewis says. Along with helping her company, Lewis says working to expand and deepen MGM’s supplier diversity is personally satisfying. “The most rewarding aspect of this position is knowing that I am helping diverse-owned businesses be better positioned to win contracts, sustain their communities, and send their kids to college,” Lewis says. Fittingly, Lewis’ role at MGM has recently been expanded to include sustainable procurement. “I’m so excited to focus on people and environment,” she says. “MGM Resorts is committed to doing good for earth and people.” Lewis doesn’t yet know exactly what shape her new green portfolio will take. But one thing is clear: Latino-owned businesses will have a role to play.