About LAMBC
Founded in 1973, the Louisiana Minority Business Council (formerly Gulf South Minority Supplier Development Council) was formed to assist major corporations in developing, enhancing and expanding minority vendor programs by integrating minority business enterprises (MBEs) into the corporate purchasing mainstream.
LAMBC serves the State of Louisiana and is one of 39 regional minority purchasing councils affiliated with the National Minority Supplier Development Council www.nmsdc.org. This network serves to promote procurement opportunities among the national Council’s minority suppliers and nurture relationships between buyers and sellers that increase the number of minority firms actively engaged in corporate supply chains.
The main objective of LAMBC is to execute the Council’s aggressive outreach programs, which help to identify and certify minority suppliers as well as acquaint them with representatives of the corporate purchasing community.
LAMBC annually hosts the Louisiana Economic Opportunity Conference & Expo, Louisiana’s premiere conference on supplier diversity. This two day conference allows maximum opportunities for networking, discussion and face to face exchanges between corporate buyers and MBEs.
The LAMBC Board of Directors and staff are committed to fulfilling the responsibilities of providing opportunities for minority business enterprises and to establishing mutually beneficial relationships with corporate partners.
Our Mission
To provide business development services and facilitate opportunities and access among corporations, the public sector and certified MBEs allowing for mutually beneficial relationships.
What We Do
» Assist corporate members in the development and/or improvement of minority vendor programs.
» Identify minority suppliers in the State of Louisiana.
» Maintain a listing of LAMBC certified MBEs and corporate members.
» Provide local, regional and national referrals to vendors.
» Coordinate various activities focused on specific and varied product/service areas.
» Conduct seminars for corporate partners and minority business owners.
» Conduct other programs and activities designed to bring minority vendors and corporate purchaser together.
» Provide reliable certification of ethnic, minority-owned businesses.
» Award executive business scholarships for continuing education of MBEs.
» Offer MBEs access to the Business Consortium Fund of NMSDC.
» Encourage corporate support for minority business development initiatives.
» Disseminate news and information about trends and opportunities in supplier diversity.
Who Does LAMBC Certify?
LAMBC certifies any Louisiana business that is 51% or more ethnic-minority-owned and controlled by a U.S. citizen(s). (African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, Asian-Indian American).
What are the Benefits of Certification?
» Corporate & MBE Contact List - list of corporate supplier diversity managers and MBE members Entrepreneurial Seminars/Business Development Resources-seminars and resources hosted and available through LAMBC partners and allied organizations.
» National & Local Referrals - Each certified MBE's profile is listed in local and national databases and on our website. Corporations and other MBEs regularly utilize our databases and website as an invaluable source for locating certified minority vendors.
» Networking Events - Awards Gala & Dinner, Annual Trade Fair, Golf Tournament and Procurement Luncheons and other business-social events.
» Exposure to Business Opportunities - Exposure is gained through networking with corporate buyers and fellow minority business enterprises. Both our corporate and MBE members are encouraged to post contract opportunities on the LAMBC web page.
MBE / Reciprocal Benefits
Ö Exposure to business opportunities
Ö National and local referrals
Ö MBE Certification
Ö Corporate contact list
Ö Entrepreneurial seminars
Ö Vendor-to-vendor networking
Corporate Benefits
Ö Access to MBE suppliers through our database and web page directory
Ö Seminars and workshops to create the best supplier diversity programs
Ö Networking with MBEs at monthly meetings and special events
Ö Vendor referrals
Ö Opportunity to participate in our annual trade fair
Cost of Certification:
» $200 Initial certification processing fee ($300 for companies with gross receipts > $5 million)
» $150 Annual recertification and profile update
The Certification Process:
The certification process takes 30-45 days from the receipt of your completed application. Applications are reviewed twice: first, by the Certification Manager and then the Certification Committee to determine that your company is minority-owned, operated and controlled. The committee recommends certification based on the evaluation and analysis of your application data and a site inspection of your business. The LAMBC board of directors reviews and approves certification committee's recommendations for MBE certification on a monthly basis.
Certification Instructions:
Step 1:
Fill out the online Minority Business Certification Application.
Step 2:
Hit "Submit" when you are finished filling out the application. Click "Save for Later" if you would like to save and complete the application at a later time. Please note: You MUST hit "Submit" after you have completed the application or your application cannot be processed.
Step 3:
You will be sent a Login ID and password via the e-mail address you provided in your profile. You will need to use this ID and password to log into the website to make any updates to your profile and to print out a copy of your online application, which you will send to our offices as explained above.
Step 4:
Click on the "MBE Login" tab on the website. Login using the ID and password you were sent via e-mail. If you do not receive a user name/login ID (your email address used in the profile) and a password, please contact ewaters@lambc.org.
Step 5:
Click on "Generate PDF Form" to generate a copy of your online application. Please note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to generate a PDF form. If you do not, please click on the link provided to install Adobe's free Acrobat Reader.
Step 6:
Print out a copy of your PDF generated application (described in step 5 above), which you must get notarized, and mail all the appropriate documents (using the checklist provided in the printout of your application on page 7). The certification review process will not begin until we receive ALL of the requested documentation, or an explanation of why the documents are unavailable.
Click the Appropriate Link Below to Begin the Certification Process
Corporate Member Registration
Minority Business Certification Application
Reciprocal MBE Certification Application
Click here to begin the online MBE application process.
Where to Send/Who to Contact to Regarding Certification:
Please use our online certification process. If you have any problems regarding the online certification or have further questions. Please contact us by email from the address you use for the certification login, including your company name and daytime phone number. Thank you.
Erik Waters
LA Minority Business Council
935 Gravier Street, 1607
New Orleans, LA 70112
ewaters@lambc.org
