by Dan Perkins

This publication owes a great deal to Major League Baseball (MLB).  In fact, this publication exists because of the extraordinary relationship I have been blessed to establish with the League.  It is a relationship that began in 1997, the year Baseball Commissioner "Bud" Selig and the League observed the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson entry into the Major Leagues - a move that forever ended racial segregation in the League.

In honor of Robinson's notable achievements, both in the League and in the larger society, Commissioner Selig directed his office to establish a program that would expand opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses to participate in the business of Baseball.  The Commissioner's directive soon resulted in the League retaining the services of RGMA, Inc., a Chicago-based professional services firm founded by Ralph G. Moore, a recognized expert in the field of supplier diversity. 

Ralph Moore and I had established a good working relationship while collaborating on a supplier diversity engagements during the 1980s.  I was thrilled and honored when he invited me to assist his firm in establishing a world-class initiative for Major League Baseball.

In 1998, the job of shepherding the newly formed initiative was assigned to Wendy Lewis after the individual first tasked with that responsibility resigned to pursue other career opportunities.  At the time, Lewis had been with the Commissioner's Office for only a few years, but she was no newcomer to the Sport.  Prior to joining the Commissioner's staff where she oversaw the League's Human Resources function, Lewis was a member of the sales and marketing team at the Chicago Cubs.  Her years and experience with the Cubs provided Lewis with extensive knowledge of club operations, inter-League dynamics and interactions between the clubs and the Central Office (another name for the Office of the Commission of Baseball) - all of which proved invaluable while implementing the Diverse Business Partners (DBP) Program.

Lewis' visionary leadership and approach quickly became apparent when she selected the name for Baseball's supplier diversity initiative.  Lewis wanted the initiative to operate on the principle of partnerships.  While diverse suppliers were expected to benefit from opportunities to conduct business with the thirty clubs that comprise the Major Leagues, Lewis felt it was important for club managers to recognize that diverse suppliers could and would bring value to their organizations, if given the chance.

Since assuming leadership of the Diverse Business Partners Program, Lewis has encouraged clubs to invite Diverse Business Partners to the ballpark in order for the suppliers to become better acquainted with the sport.  The Minnesota Twins was one of the first clubs to host a meeting of the local affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, an umbrella organization that serves as nation's leading advocate for minority-owned businesses.

In June, the Atlanta Braves hosted an event at their ballpark in partnership with the Atlanta Business League (ABL), Atlanta's most distinguished African American business organization.  The event, which was listed in this publication, was well attended and according to Sabrina Jenkins, Director of Special Events for the Braves, it drew new members to ABL and helped cultivate new fans for the Braves.

While the concept of partnerships is significant, it is one of three attributes that I believe best distinguish and characterize Lewis' leadership.  Another would be gratitude, which I have discovered is rooted in her deep faith.  Whenever Lewis has the opportunity to talk to audiences about the Diverse Business Partners Program, she is quick to praise her people while giving credit to her faith, which has sustained her through the challenging periods in her career. 

Lewis has not only enjoyed two promotions since assuming responsibility for the DBP Program - she is now Senior Vice President overseeing the Office of Diversity and Strategic Alliances - she has also assumed responsibility for a sizeable staff.  With respect to the Diverse Business Partners Program, Lewis is supported by Clayton Judge who joined Baseball from the National Football League.  Judge is Baseball's Director of Diversity Initiatives and he has direct responsibility for the daily operations of the DBP Program.  Lewis is not only grateful for Judge's contributions, but her grateful spirit extends to the suppliers who help make the DBP Program a success.

For the past four years, wherever the League has held its All Star Game, Lewis has marked the opening of the celebrations by hosting a dinner in honor of the League's Diverse Business Partners.  This year, the event was held at the River Room, which is perched along the Harlem's famed West Side cliffs, nestled in heart of New York's Riverbank State Park.  The restaurant, which was formerly owned by basketball great, Earl Monroe, remains a minority-owned establishment offering patrons delicious and artfully prepared meals, an elegant dining atmosphere and breathtaking views of the famed George Washington Bridge.

Based on my knowledge of the supplier diversity arena, I can honestly say that few organizations take the time or devote the resources to acknowledging their diverse suppliers the way Baseball does.  It is one of several ways the Sport endears itself to its Diverse Business Partners, and such thoughtfulness fosters loyalty as well as devotion.  While many supplier diversity practitioners would like for their programs to reinforce their organization's branding efforts, few take the steps to formalize the connection, which is needed to ensure the kind of success Baseball has achieved. 

Although Lewis spends a significant portion of her time meeting with club owners and managers to devise and coordinate strategies that led to greater diversity throughout the Sport, she also maintains a calendar filled with speaking-engagements.  Lewis is a highly sought-after speaker, especially on issues of diversity and supplier diversity within the League and beyond.  She is well-known for telling audiences comprised primarily of minority and women business owners that not everyone desiring to conduct business with Baseball will have the opportunity to do so.  However, Lewis is quick to use her engaging personality, brilliant smile and gentle voice to convince her audiences of Baseball's desire to welcome them as fans of the Sport.

A third, and perhaps the most significant dimension of Lewis' leadership is her propensity to balance her insistence upon excellence with her tireless promotion of suppliers who meet and exceed her high expectations.  Lewis' desire to see Diverse Business Partners succeed across the League and beyond helped inspire the development of this publication in 2001, as well as the launch of the America's Best Diverse Suppliers(R) Program in 2006.

Lewis, who has encouraged clubs to view their diverse suppliers as resources for building more effective relationships with diverse communities, regards the Boston Red Sox's success in partnering with El Mundo Boston, New England's largest Hispanic newspaper, as proof that Major League ball clubs and diverse suppliers can form mutually beneficial business relationships and relationships that enable Baseball to gain new fans.  El Mundo is one of six suppliers that were recognized this year by the Boston Red Sox as America's Best Diverse Suppliers(R). (Click here for story.)

Another Diverse Business Partner to bring significant value to the League is CPI Creative, Inc., a promotional marketing and design firm based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  CPI's founder, Carol Philp and her team garnered the praise of not one, but two Major League organizations for outstanding designs and service.  The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Central Office both selected CPI for recognition through the America's Best Diverse Suppliers(R) Program, a first in the program's three year history.  CPI distinguished itself by designing and manufacturing the Inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic souvenir cup, which presented the slogan "Baseball spoken here" graphically in seven different languages.  CPI's effort provides proof that Diverse Business Partners are making notable contributions to Baseball's success.

This year marked the tenth anniversary of Lewis' inspired leadership, so I decided to invite CPI in helping me in selecting an award that reflects the spirit and dignity of individuals like Wendy Lewis who make significant contributions to the advancement of diverse individuals, businesses and communities.  CPI's creative team provided me with first-hand exposure to the company's award winning service, and I was delighted to have Carol Philp join me in presenting diversityinbusiness.com's Distinguished Leadership Award to Wendy Lewis, our first honoree.

Lewis, who was moved by the unannounced presentation and by the standing ovation she received from the enthusiastic  audience, used the occasion to again thank the Diverse Business Partners  for proving that supplier diversity initiatives are good for Baseball and good for business in general.

All in attendance concurred when Lewis she said, "Now, this is how to start the All Star Week."

As publisher of diversityinbusiness.com, I am delighted to have had the opportunity to bestow this well-deserved honor upon Wendy Lewis.  All of us who have been touched by the Diverse Business Partners Program look forward to many more years of her inspired leadership.

Thank you, Wendy Lewis.

Above:  Wendy Lewis, (center), Senior Vice President, Office of Diversity and Strategic Alliances at Major League Baseball accepts diversityinbusiness.com's 2008 Distinguished Leadership Award presented by Dan Perkins, (right), Publisher of diversityinbusiness.com.  Looking on are Clayton Judge, (left), Baseball's Director of Diversity Initiatives, and co-presenter Carol Philp, President, CPI Creative.  Below: Left is a close up of the award and to the right is the inscription.

THE END