PASSING THE TORCH TO PARITY
Dear Hall of Fame Legends, ACE Ambassadors, Chairman’s Scholars, MMSDC Members, Sponsors and Supporters: As Chairman of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC), it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Ambassadors Champion Excellence (ACE) Awards and Chairman’s Scholarship Gala. This year’s theme is “Passing the Torch to Parity.” Tonight, we celebrate those who have carried the torch as champions for supplier diversity from the past, present and future. From the past, we honor those trailblazers who led the way for Minority Business Enterprises to become an integral part of the automotive industry through our Hall of Fame Legends recognition. In the present, our MMSDC’s ACE Awards honor the corporations, minority business enterprises and individuals that are role models for their commitment to supplier diversity, excellence in service, value and quality. I am inspired by their efforts and the dedication that is reflected in their accomplishments.
MMSDC Chairman
Scott Thiele
To the future, our Chairman’s Scholarship recognizes minority undergraduate students for their academic achievements in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Mathematics, Medicine and Business, as well as their community activities. The past two years have been filled with achievements, challenges and opportunities. Our partnership with Plug and Play to create Plug and Play Detroit Powered by Amplify D brought together the next group of minority innovators with Michigan corporations and is something we should all be proud of. The pandemic, social justice events, labor shortages, and supply chain issues have given us the opportunity to pivot the way we do business and adapt to a virtual world; to forge meaningful conversations, followed by intentional actions around diversity, equity and inclusion; and to find ways to collaborate on problem solving solutions. I would like to thank Michelle, the board and the MMSDC staff for facing these challenges head on by providing groundbreaking training and resources for all our members during these evolving times. I greatly appreciate all of you. Lastly, thank you to our members. Your unwavering partnership over the last several years must truly be commended. We could not do what we do without your support. Congratulations again to our Hall of Fame Legends, ACE Ambassadors and Chairman’s Scholars. Thank you corporations, leaders, business owners and everyone else for your participation in tonight’s festivities. I hope that everyone has an entertaining and enjoyable evening. Sincerely, Scott Thiele MMSDC Chairman of the Board Head of Global Long Range Planning and Portfolio Planning, Stellantis
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