Women and Minority Vendor Fair at MSU emphasizes diversity

Contact: Leah Barbour

STARKVILLE, Miss.--Nearly 70 supplier-business owners, representing a range of minorities, women, and veterans, visited Mississippi State University on Tuesday [Oct. 14] for the Women and Minority Vendor Fair.

Also, business owners located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones, or HUBZones, participated in the fair, held in the Hal and Linda Parker Ballroom at MSU's Hunter Henry Center.

The day-long networking opportunity facilitated by MSU offered the business owners a chance to meet, share information and take advantage of procurement training opportunities.

Among those that came together to make the day possible were Institutions of Higher Learning, Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi Minority Business Alliance, Mississippi University for Women, Oktibbeha County officials, Starkville administrators and WhereToGo411.

Marcus Thompson, chief administrative officer for Institutions of Higher Learning, the governing body of all public postsecondary schools in the state, said MSU's tradition of promoting diversity stretches back to the 1960s. In 1965, as universities around the nation desegregated, MSU administrators authorized the all-white Bulldogs basketball team to play against a team with a mostly African-American roster.

"In the 'Game of Change' between Mississippi State and Loyola, the Mississippi State team--in spite of making the seemingly unpopular choice to play against blacks--returned to a surprisingly warm reception because Mississippians were in favor of playing the game," Thompson said. "The Game of Change happened, and things began to change. This game serves as a reminder of what sports can do in bringing people together."

He said MSU's focus on diversity, as well as its inclusive environment, sets an example for institutions of higher learning both in Mississippi and across the nation.

"IHL supports today's vendor fair because we realize the importance of making an opportunity for everyone to participate in making this state great and increasing access among all Mississippians," Thompson said. "IHL is confident that efforts like this fair will make stronger universities, stronger economies and a stronger Mississippi. The extraordinary attention to diversity at Mississippi State is a priority for this university and for all Mississippi public institutions."

MSU President Mark E. Keenum thanked the group of collaborators helping to make the fair possible. He emphasized MSU continues its longstanding tradition of promoting diversity, not only among the student body, faculty, staff and administrators, but also in partnering with diverse business owners.

"We strive to have more diverse partnerships, and you're welcome to come do business on this campus. That's something we take pride in at Mississippi State," Keenum told the attendees. "We are the flagship research university in Mississippi, and as we continue our research to meet the critical needs of nations, we appreciate your coming to learn more about how we can partner together to do business."

Keynote speaker Marvin Smith, president of Spectrum Marketing Group, presented "The Power of Social Media & Email." The marketing and public relations firm, based in Monroe, Louisiana, develops promotional strategies related to advertising, branding, social media and more.

"More than 10 million comments are made on Facebook every 20 minutes," Smith said. "When you understand the essential strategies and best practices to successfully run your campaign with social media, these low cost-tools can give you visibility, drive sales and engagement, and help you develop relationships."

More information for minority businesses is available at www.wheretogo411.com/. Learn more about MSU's diversity and inclusion efforts at www.oidi.msstate.edu.

MSU is online at www.msstate.edu, facebook.com/msstate, instagram.com/msstate and twitter.com/msstate.