Supplier Diversity Program

There are 8 major focus areas of the Atlanta Braves Supplier Diversity Program which we use to manage the program. These areas consist of the following:

1. Training and Education for Braves Staff of the importance of Supplier Diversity to the organizations' financial goals and objectives
2. Website and Database Management
3. External Outreach Activities
4. Goals and Measurements for each department within the organization
5. Communications
6. MWBE Business Development
7. Tracking and Reporting
8. Second Tier Program

Q. What is the Atlanta Braves Supplier Diversity Program (ABSDP)?
A. The ABSDP is an initiative designed to increase opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses to participate in the procurement activities of the Atlanta Braves organization.

Q. How does the ABSDP define a "minority-owned" business?
A. Atlanta Braves follows the established corporate and government standards and definitions for these terms.

Ownership by minority individuals means the business is at least 51% owned by such individuals (Black [African American], Hispanic, Asian or Native American). In the case of a publicly owned business, one or more such individuals own at least 51% of the stock. Furthermore, a minority group member controls the management and daily operations. Additional definitions as listed by the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. include:

• Black (African American): A U.S. citizen having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
• Hispanic: A U.S. citizen of trueborn Hispanic heritage, from any of the Spanish-speaking areas of Latin America or the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin only.
• Asian-Indian: A U.S. citizen whose origins are from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• Asian-Pacific: A U.S. citizen whose origins are from Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas.
• Native American: A person who is an American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian, and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or otherwise organized group of native people who are indigenous to the continental United States and proof can be provided through a Native American Blood Degree Certificate (i.e., tribal registry letter, tribal roll register number).

Q. How does the ABSDP defined a "women-owned" business?
A. Atlanta Braves follows established corporate and government standards and definitions for these terms. "Women-Owned Business" means a business that is at least 51 percent owned by a woman or women who also controls and operates the business. "Control" in this context means exercising the power to make policy decisions. "Operate" in this context means being actively involved in the day-to-day management.

Q. How does the ABSDP define an ¡°LGBTQ+-owned" business?
A. Atlanta Braves follows established corporate and government standards and definitions for these terms. ¡°LGBTQ+-Owned Business¡± means a business that is at least 51 percent owned, operated, managed, and controlled by an LGBTQ+ person or persons who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. ¡°Exercises¡± independence from any non-LGBT business enterprise. Has its principal place of business (headquarters) in the United States. Has been formed as a legal entity in the United States.

Q. How do I know if I qualify as an MBE or WBE?
A. You must apply and go through a certification process. Certification programs have been established by local, state, and federal agencies. Typically, applicants must submit information about the company and its ownership. There are several private sector certifying agencies for minorities and women as well. The largest minority certification agency is the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council (NMSDC). One certifying agency for women is the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). The local chapters of these organizations are sufficient as well.

Q. How do I get my business certified?
A. Several national and local agencies have certification programs:

Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC)
759 W Peachtree St. NE
Suite 107
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: 404-589-4924
Email: [email protected]

National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
1040 Avenue of the Americas, Second Floor, New York, NY 10018
Phone: 212-944-2430
Fax: 212-719-9611
Website: www.nmsdcus.org

Georgia's Women's Business Enterprise Council (GWBC)
1201 Peachtree Street NE
400 Colony Square, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30361
Phone: 404.846.3314
Fax: 404.745.0151
Email: [email protected]

Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
1120 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 950, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 872-5515
Fax: (202) 872-5505
Website: www.wbenc.org

Small Business Administration (SBA)
409 3rd Street SW, Washington, DC 20416
Phone: (202) 872-5515
Fax: (202) 872-5505
Website: www.sba.gov

National Gay Lesbian Transgender Chamber of Commerce
729 15th St. NW, 9th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: 202-234-9181
Fax: 202-234-9185
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.nglcc.org

National Veterans Owned Business Assoc.
313-315 N. Main St.
Carnegie, PA 15106
Phone: 724-362-8622
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://navoba.org/

Q. If I'm not a certified minority or women-owned business, can I conduct business with the Atlanta Braves?
A. The Atlanta Braves is completely committed to developing new business relationships with companies that supports commitment to supplier diversity, regardless of ownership. The Atlanta Braves develop partnerships with a variety of suppliers and vendors. A company's ability to satisfy key objectives of the Braves organization is pertinent in developing a solid business relationship. Price, quality, service, and the vendor's willingness and ability to support the Atlanta Braves are an important part of the organizations strategic objectives. These factors, along with the need for the product/service offered, will determine our ongoing business relationship with each vendor.

Q. How can I find out more about ABSDP?
A. Businesses interested in finding out about the ABSDP can call (404) 614-2343 or send an email to [email protected].