Meet the Community Partners of the Genesis Block Inclusive Supply Chain, Conversations 2 Contracts

Conversations to Contracts is the key networking platform supporting Genesis Block’s goal to connect minority owned firms to $2.5 million dollars in contracting opportunities in 2023.

The February edition of Converting Conversations to Contracts is just weeks away and Genesis Block is preparing for an impactful schedule of events to support the growth of minority owned firms. Last week, Genesis Block announced a partnership with Carolina Small Business Development Fund. This event will center on making an impact for Black-owned businesses in 2023 and beyond with a particular focus on supplier diversity readiness to close the racial wealth gap for diverse business owners.

In 2023, Genesis Block is committed to supporting organizations with strategies that can be used to bolster their supplier diversity program and increase spending with minority owned businesses.

“ We have realized over the last few years that the biggest hurdles facing minority communities is the revenue gap between diverse owned businesses and white owned firms. There are many ideas and programs with good intentions but we must address the stark realization that minorities represent 40% of the population, yet minority owned firms represent only 9.6% of all the revenue generated by private firms in the United States. Revenue parity and building inclusive business networks are key components to closing the gap between minority owned firms and their white counterparts,” says Genesis Block President Tracey Newkirk.

We intentionally partner with organizations focused on increasing their diversity spend and expanding their supply chain to include diverse owned businesses.

Converting Conversations to Contracts is a trade show style event focusing on helping organizations increase spending with minority owned businesses. The event gathers the region’s largest businesses, organizations and government agencies for the purpose of connecting diverse-owned companies to contracting opportunities. Organizations and supply chain leaders receive the benefit of building relationships with qualified minority owned businesses that can help diversify their supply chains.

Goals of Genesis Bridge and Converting Conversations to Contracts

1. Help minority owned firms build and grow business with corporations and large organizations
2. Expand customer base and validate work performance for minority owned firms
3. Enhance business development, increase capacity to secure contracts and business best practices

In order to achieve this goal of $2.5 million in contract opportunities, we have partnered with the region’s largest businesses, organizations and government agencies for the purpose of connecting diverse-owned companies to contracting opportunities. Let’s meet a few of the sponsors and organizations that are responsible for helping organize Converting Conversations to Contracts.

Since its founding in 2000, North State Bank has uniquely defined what it means to be a community bank in Wake and New Hanover counties.

North State Bank

North State Bank is a Presenting Sponsor for Converting Conversations to Contracts. North State Bank has seven full-service banking offices in Wake and New Hanover counties, including Downtown Raleigh, Garner, North Hills, North Raleigh, West Raleigh, Wake Forest and Wilmington.

Why does your organization support Converting Conversations to Contracts?

“We see North State Bank as a quintessential community bank and our partnership with Genesis Block is representative of that philosophy. Sponsoring Converting Conversations to Contracts is just one of the ways we establish meaningful, ongoing relationships with the community,” says North State Bank Relationship Banking Manager Zachary Dechant.

Novant Health is a four-state integrated network of physician clinics, outpatient centers and hospitals.

Novant Health

Novant Health is a leading healthcare provider with 15 hospitals & more than 350 physician practices offering advanced medical treatment in North Carolina. Its network consists of more than 1,600 physicians and 29,000 employees at more than 640 locations, including 15 medical centers and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics.

What is your organizations commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion?

Diversity

The similarities and differences of people found in our workforce and marketplace (community). Diversity includes many characteristics that may be visible such as race, age, gender, appearance and it also includes less visible characteristics such as personality, ethnicity, religion, job function, life experience, sexual orientation, gender identity, geography, disability, regional differences, work experience and family situation –all of which make us similar to and different from one another.

Inclusion

Intentionally engaging human differences and viewing such differences and strengths in both patients and team members. the key to inclusion is that we value the perspectives and life experiences of each person. these actions build an environment that fosters mutual respect, trust and commitment.

Equity

Equity exists when each person has the appropriate access to opportunities and resources to attain their highest quality of life. We must recognize and address systemic disparities and how those disparities have impacted groups and individuals.

Health Equity

Health Equity is the attainment of the highest level of health for all people.

Jerry Coleman and Tracey Newkirk discuss the details of the partnership between Cape Fear Community College and Genesis Block.

Cape Fear Community College

Cape Fear Community College is a Premier Sponsor for Converting Conversations to Contracts. Cape Fear Community College is a world-class college serving diverse communities, promoting excellence through innovation in education, and empowering students for life-long success. Cape Fear Community College and Genesis Block are partnering on key initiatives to create a pipeline of qualified minority owned businesses in the Cape Fear Region.

What is your organizations commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion?

Cape Fear Community College strives to:

• Create a campus community accessible and welcoming to individuals of diverse identities, experiences, and aspirations.
• Recruit talented students, faculty, and staff from diverse populations.
• Foster a campus climate that is inclusive and respectful of human dignity.
• Encourage the CFCC community to be conscientious, critical thinkers and provide professional development opportunities that teach considerate and responsible leadership.
• Together, we can create a safe and accepting environment for all students and employees and model behaviors crucial for the betterment of our entire community.

The Black History Month edition of Converting Conversations to Contracts promises to be a great event centered on driving increased spending with minority owned firms and Black owned businesses.

Register here to attend the first event of 2023.

For more information on how to become a partner or vendor at Converting Conversations to Contracts email info@genesisblockilm.com, tracey@genesisblockilm or aariene@genesisblockilm.com.

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal: https://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/insights/girardnewkirk/237