For too long, company heads with purchasing power in Wichita have relied heavily on a list of partner suppliers and vendors that look like them.
But a group of panelists Wednesday said Wichita needs to work toward building a new list — one that's more inclusive of women- and minority-owned businesses who have fought systemic barriers and want an equal piece of the market.
"It takes intentional effort," said Wichita vice mayor Brandon Johnson, one of four panels who participated in Wednesday's discussion. "And you have to be intentional about where you're looking. You have to take that time, you have to get outside of your comfort zone, you have to get outside of your current networks and relationships and build new ones. That can be very uncomfortable."
On Wednesday, McCownGordon Construction, along the Wichita Chamber of Commerce, assembled a panel of diversity, equity and inclusion experts to discuss opportunities for business and civic organizations to collaborate with and promote minority- and women-owned business entities.
Securing big contracts — whether it's in construction or catering — can be a game-changer for those business owners, said Christina Long, owner of CML Collective, a marketing consulting firm, and a participant in the panel.
"Think about the economic surge and impact that can have on a company," she said. "It has changed the dynamic for so many companies that then are able to get a footprint that is larger than this particular geographic area, but it gives them the demonstrated past performance to go on and to build upon that."
Willy Pegues, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion for McCownGordon Construction, said that minority- and women-owned businesses are also fighting the perception that they are somehow not as qualified to do the job, and that they are "getting a handout" if a company offers to work with them.
"They have to go through the same form of registration and vetting to do their job, just like everyone else, but yet there are always seems to be some negative connotation that goes with being a minority-owned business," Pegues said. "That's what we have to change, that's what we have to be intentional about."
The reality is supplier diversity in the Wichita business community means attracting new talent to a city that has long struggled with "the same ol' thing," added Ronnie Leonard, president of local construction materials supplier Balco.
"Unless we make a concerted effort to embrace everyone, to give everyone a seat at the table, to diversify — not only in our supply chain but within other areas of the community — then we're going to get left behind," Leonard said. "I want my kids to come back to Wichita, and if it's a place that is not growing, it's not changing, it's not adapting, it's not including everyone, they're not coming back. So for me it's a personal issue."
Long said those looking to embrace supplier diversity and build a list for their own workplaces don't have to do it alone. She pointed out Donna Wright of the Kansas Business Services, and others, including Long's Create Campaign, that are also building databases of minority- and women-owned business entities.
"There are people and organizations that are doing that work," Long said.
The WBJ played host to the event.
"The Business Journal was happy to do our part in today’s discussion and we are grateful to McCownGordon for sponsoring and bringing together today’s panel," publisher John Ek said.
