The Robert R. Church, Sr. Achievement Awards were designed to celebrate local and national corporate and M/WBE accomplishments, acknowledge and honor corporations with successful existing ESG and/or D&I programs, and encourage corporations and M/WBEs to incorporate D&I and ESG into their operations
2023 Award Categories
The Great Beginnings Award - Click for award criteria
Presented to the organization that began and successfully incorporated an ESG initiative into their operations between 2020 - 2022.
Rising Star Award - Click for award criteria
This award is for the individual who has been an advocate of ESG strategies in their organization and community for five (5) or fewer years.
Diversity & Inclusion Heroes Award - Click for award criteria
Presented to the organization whose procurement and/or sourcing department has well-structured D&I initiatives and displays thorough and intentional strategies.
Tennessee MBDA Business of the Year Award - Click for award criteria
Designed to recognize the outstanding performance and contributions made by clients of the Tennessee Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center.
Scalable M/WBE Business of the Year Award - Click for award criteria
Presented to a certified minority or woman-owned business enterprise. The company must have successfully demonstrated growth in sales and employment, consistently provided high-quality products and services at competitive prices, and significantly contributed to the growth and development of this community.
M/WBE Quality Assurance Business of the Year Award - Click for award criteria
Presented to a certified minority and/or woman-owned business enterprise. The M/WBE company must have implemented a quality control process that: (1) evaluates customer feedback regularly; (2) demonstrates unparalleled quality performance; (3) offers innovative solutions while going above and beyond minimum requirements; (4) meets and exceeds expectations of contract specifications for product or service delivery; and (5) responds to customer feedback in a timely manner
Must be submitted online by July 14
Entries will not be published to the public. Entries are open to only companies/organizations in the United States.
Best Practices for Submitting Your Nominations:
Show proof of your achievements. Include supportive information that proves you are making an impact.
Grab the judge’s attention.
Make your submission stand out with thorough responses for each question. Drive it home by providing evidence of your results.
Tie your results to your goal/objectives.
Make sure that your outcome is cohesive and in correlation with your intended impact.
Read the criteria.
Be sure you hit every nail on the head by carefully reading each question and displaying in your answer that you fully understand what you are being asked
Start Early
This will ensure that you’re able to take your time and be as thorough and precise as possible
Judging: Description of Judges
The Robert R. Church, Sr. Achievement Awards panel of judges is composed of a diverse selection of procurement and sourcing professionals who have a vast knowledge of purchasing and procurement. Their goal is to determine which organizations demonstrate expertise and excellence in each award category.
Description of what they’ll judge
Each award category is centered around impact and innovation. The judges are interested in determining the why behind each initiative. The judges want to know that your organization is going beyond checking a box. Is your impact measurable? Is each phase of implementation cohesive? Do these strategies align with the organization as a whole? These are a few of the ideas that will assist the judges in determining how well each organization walks its walk.
This redesigned event has been historically held in November each year as a luncheon. This year, the event will be held immediately following the 2023 Economic Development Forum Thursday, August 17, as a gala format and awards show. We invite you and your team to join us in celebrating, rallying and engaging corporations, organizations and small businesses leading the way in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and making positive societal impacts while also enjoying:
A Networking Hour with:
Silent Auction
Wine & Spirit Pull Raffle
Open Bar
Photo Booth
Live Music
Award Ceremony with Historical Categories:
Corporation of the Year
Quality Assurance Business of the Year
Scalable M/WBE of the Year
Tennessee MBDA Business of the Year
Three (3) NEW Award Categories:
Rising Star Award
Diversity & Inclusion Heroes Award
The Great Beginnings Award
2022 Award Winners & Finalists
Corporation of the Year Winner
Memphis-Shelby County Schools Finalists
M/WBE Quality Assurance Business of the Year Winner
Action Janitorial Paper Safety Finalists
Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
Tennessee Valley Authority
ABES Engineering, Inc.
The Premier Group
TN MBDA Business of the Year Winner
W&T Contracting Corporation
Finalists
ServiceMaster Facilities Maintenance
Castle Black Construction, Inc
Scalable M/WBE Business of the Year Winner
Pete Mitchell & Associates
Finalists
ServiceMaster Facilities Maintenance
Brighter Days & Nites, Inc
*The Robert R. Church, Sr. Achievement Awards Gala is a separate event; sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are available and must be purchased separately from EDF sponsorships and tickets.
To secure a sponsorship or for more information, please contact the MMBC Continuum at 901-525-6512.
2023 Sponsorship Levels
ESG Champion - $7,500
Seating for 10 in Private VIP Section at Award Ceremony
Complimentary Drinks and Hors d'oeuvres Served by Conceriege
Access to Networking Hour Activities, Including:
Wine Pull
Silent Auction
Photo Booth
Raffle
Live Entertainment
Logo on all event promotions and onsite signage
DEI Leader - $5,000
Seating for 8 in Private VIP Section at Award Ceremony
Complimentary Drinks and Hors d'oeuvres Served by Conceriege
Access to Networking Hour Activities, Including:
Wine Pull
Silent Auction
Photo Booth
Raffle
Live Entertainment
signage
Supplier Diversity Advocate - $3,000
Seating for 5 in Private VIP Section at Award Ceremony
Complimentary Drinks and Hors d'oeuvres Served by Conceriege
Access to Networking Hour Activities, Including:
Wine Pull
Silent Auction
Photo Booth
Raffle
Live Entertainment
Individual Tickets - $125
Access to Networking Hour Complementary Hors d'oeuvres and Activities; Seating at Award Ceremony
*The Robert R. Church, Sr. Achievement Awards Gala is a separate event; sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are available and must be purchased separately from EDF sponsorships and tickets.
Logo on some onsite
Logo on some onsite signage