Minority business nonprofit expands focus, changes name

The Southern Florida Minority Supplier Development Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing access and growth for minority businesses, announced Tuesday that it is changing its name to Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC) to reflect an expanded service area that now includes Central and Northern Florida.

The council will continue to be led by Beatrice Louissaint, who will now be CEO and president of the FSMSDC. The council is set to roll out new services to its corporate members and nearly 1,000 MBEs statewide. FSMSDC, an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc., will be headquartered in Miami with regional offices and staff in Orlando, Tampa and Tallahassee.

Since its founding in 1975, the council’s mission has been to increase purchasing from Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) by corporations and government entities, while increasing MBEs’ operating capacity through hands-on business assistance, training and access to technology and capital resources. The council is updating its branding and website. For more information: visit www.sfmsdc.org.

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Minority business nonprofit expands focus, changes name."