Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Building an Inclusive Business Environment in Delaware
At Export Delaware, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential to fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and creating a vibrant business community. DEI practices are woven into everything we do to ensure that every Delaware business, regardless of size, background, or industry, has the opportunity to succeed globally. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all constituents regardless of age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other personal characteristic. Our track record speaks for itself. In fact, our history shows that minority-owned companies make up 59% of all program participants.
We are actively seeking women, minority, veteran, and LGBTQ+ companies interested in our upcoming training opportunities. Interested parties may contact us.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We strive to:
- Promote Equal Access: Ensure that resources, tools, and opportunities are accessible to businesses from underrepresented and underserved communities.
- Celebrate Diversity: Highlight and support the unique perspectives, ideas, and talents of Delaware’s diverse entrepreneurs.
- Empower Communities: Partner with organizations to advance equitable opportunities and foster meaningful connections.
How We Support Diversity in Global Trade
Export Delaware provides specialized programs and services to support businesses from diverse backgrounds, including:
- Tailored Export Training: Global Supplier Diversity workshops designed for minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses.
- Grant Opportunities: Financial assistance via the Compass Grant to help diverse businesses expand into international markets.
- Business Trips: Meet face-to-face with distributors and potential customers – all with the assistance of seasoned global trade experts
Our Partners in Global DEI
Export Delaware is delighted to introduce our partnership with the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC) and the Women’s Business Enterprise Center (WBEC-East). Our alliance with these fine organizations enables us to assist Delaware women and minority-owned businesses in leveraging certification to enter global supply chains. If you are a woman, minority, veteran, or LGBTQ+ Delaware business interested in learning how to begin exporting or increase your export sales, please contact Export Delaware. We look forward to working with you!
Women’s Business Enterprise Center – East
Women’s Business Enterprise Center – East (WBEC-East) is an advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania, from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, as well as Delaware and Southern New Jersey.
Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council
Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC), a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, is an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). The EMSDC certifies and connects minority-owned businesses (Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American) throughout Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware with member corporations. These corporations are committed to supplier development and want to purchase their products, services, and solutions.
Consider Getting Your Business Certified
Certified minority-owned businesses benefit from National recognition. Many certified businesses experience an increase in revenue by partnering with corporate members. When you are certified, you are listed in the supplier databases that are used by large corporate entities around the world. You may also access the NMSDC corporate directory, which includes corporate buyer contact information.
Training for Minority-Owned Businesses
We continue to seek opportunities to assist and advance minority-owned businesses. “Selling to the World” is our signature program to assist Women- and Minority-owned Delaware businesses (created in partnership with the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia).
Five Delaware minority-owned businesses graduated from our inaugural class! The first program of its kind nationally, “Selling to the World,” provides export education, training, and mentorship from experts in exporting and global supplier diversity. The program helps participating MWBEs compete in the global marketplace. This unique approach will help businesses increase their sales through exports.
Participants learn how to leverage their women, minority, or veteran-owned certification to enter the global supply chains of multinational corporations. They learn how to develop an export strategy, find qualified buyers, navigate logistics and shipping, learn about export finance, international trademarks and patent protection, and more. All classes included presentations by experts in the field.
When minority-owned businesses are empowered to expand their sales internationally through exports, they become more competitive and resilient. These businesses will access growth opportunities that are unavailable domestically, which helps diversify their customer base and mitigate risk.
“These classes have been extremely informative and very helpful. Sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know. You are doing an excellent job managing these sessions and the speakers are clearly experts in their respective fields. This is a very good program and I would highly encourage any business interested in exporting to look into it.”
-Eric O’Connor, Vice President of Sales, Derco USA (Newark, Delaware)