Real Impact stories spotlight the real difference people, programs and partnerships – across the system – make on the state’s economic, social and cultural well-being. For more, meet Andrea.
By Laura Mabry
Participants in the new Diverse Supplier Development Program stand ready to share what they’ve learned.
“I’m excited about the opportunities the program gives both small businesses and students. I’m also eager to mentor future program participants,” said Jerry Bell, PhD, a former Army medic and West Point graduate who leads JBJBusinessGroup Inc. “It was amazing to work with the students on a high-impact emerging technology project so they could put their knowledge and skill into action and have a competitive edge in a growing market.”
The University of Illinois System’s development program helps diverse businesses grow their capacity to become successful vendors. The program enlists student consultants from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) to help address business owners’ specific operational needs.
“Participants in our first cohort especially liked the tangible takeaways MBA student consultants provided so business owners can improve their operations,” said Sharla Roberts, director of the U of I System Office of Procurement Diversity (OPD). “They’re already implementing suggestions and sharing them with their subcontractors.” [See featured video.]
The program welcomes minority-, woman-, persons with disabilities-, and veteran-owned businesses at no cost to participants. The diversity procurement program lives out the system’s commitment to creating a more inclusive Illinois economy.
“Small businesses are economic engines in our communities,” said Dale Morrison, OPD associate director. “If diverse professionals aren’t leading small businesses, we get the status quo. Diverse business owners bring unique perspectives. They share ideas and solutions we wouldn’t have otherwise.”
Removing barriers
With decades of professional and community experience, Roberts and Morrison know the potential pitfalls.
“We’ve had diverse companies that get the opportunity to do business with the system, but they go out of business before experiencing transformational growth,” Roberts said. “However, with the diverse development program we see little things that can make a big difference.
“We’re here to help remove barriers that limit the success of people in disadvantaged areas and from underrepresented communities.”
The advantages add up. In addition to networking and sharing experiences with other participants, business owners are helping build a talent pipeline.
“The students were pleased with how helpful and engaged the business owners were,” Morrison said.
The description “engaged” might be an understatement with Bell, whose PhD concentration was organization development.
“Jerry was one of the most energetic participants,” Morrison said. “He always had great questions, great insights.”
Group effort
Olsi Shehu’s student consulting group worked closely with Bell and Ranga Chandrasekaran, a UIC professor of information and decision sciences, as well as biomedical and health information sciences.
“Through a semester-long journey of weekly meetings, interactions, and reviews, our team project united AI, technology, and healthcare,” Chandrasekaran said. “This immersive process with JBJBusinessGroup embodied the true spirit of experiential learning, fostering critical thinking, and creating innovative business solutions.”
Bell’s business provides, among other services, IT consulting and emerging technology support.
The students – including Rani Gaikwad, Sambram Rao, and Vamsidhar Nandineni – assessed customer and competitor data to present Bell’s technology to potential investors. They even pitched to Shannon Jackson, executive director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“It was great to network with someone that important,” Shehu said. “We explained the problem that the product helps solve and the benefits the solutions will provide. He gave us feedback and guidance to help secure funding.”
Shehu moved from Athens, Greece, to earn an undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University. He’s now pursuing a management of information systems master’s degree.
“I’m at the University of Illinois Chicago to learn how to be a successful IT manager,” he said.
Bell’s extra effort is helping Shehu do exactly that.
“I didn’t just show up. I had certain things I wanted to share with the team so I could create value,” Bell said. “To me, it was a way to invest time to really learn and figure out how to work better.”
Up next
While the second cohort of the diverse suppliers program will grow from 25 to 30 participants, the goal is keeping things small enough to stay personal.
Roberts and Morrison credit a host of contacts in the system offices and at the universities in the system with the program’s early successes.
“Everywhere we turn, we find supportive partners who see and embrace the many benefits these businesses provide in our communities and our state,” Roberts said.
Every bit of the experience fueled Shehu’s interest – and his future.
“It’s all important to me because I want to build my own company,” said Shehu, who spoke about his experiences working with Bell at the diverse suppliers graduation celebration at UIC.
“Applying what I was learning in class in a real-world situation was so valuable. I told people this was a starting point of a life-changing experience for me.”
Explore vendor opportunities and support at obfs.uillinois.edu/supplier-diversity/.
The University of Illinois System creating unique pathways for learners from all walks of life is just part of what makes us Altogether Extraordinary. To share a story idea, please message lmabry@uillinois.edu.
