Five Companies Complete Participation in Inaugural Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals DEI Supplier Accelerator Program
November 04, 2022
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals joined forces to boost the economic health of Northeast Ohio’s diverse business communities.
The health systems recently completed the Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) Supplier Accelerator, a business development mentorship program. The program was designed to expand the knowledge and impact of local businesses owned by traditionally underrepresented entrepreneurs including members of the LGBTQ+ community, minorities, veterans and women.
To support participants in growing their companies, and being competitive in the market, the participants completed the six-month training program. The program offered:
- Business development coaching and learning the sourcing process of large corporations Direct access to leaders from Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals and other subject matter experts
- Networking opportunities with decision makers at both health systems, key suppliers and community organizations
- Comprehensive business review to provide feedback for developing and growing the business $10,000 cash prize upon completion of the program
Companies that completed the program in the inaugural cohort include:
CarTeCor Management, LLC (Shaker Heights)
Created in 2009, CarTeCor Management, LLC is a minority-owned construction contractor that works with architects, developers and homeowners to bring their remodeling projects to life. Led by a husband-wife duo and their sons, the business specializes in designing and building kitchens, bathrooms, custom walk-in closets, roofing and siding.
Halle’s Design & Engineering (Akron)
Owner and President: Halle Jones Capers
HR Construction Services (Cleveland)
Owner and President: Heather R. Baines
Since it began in 2015, HR Construction Services has strived to make an impact in Northeast Ohio’s construction industry by creating more jobs for women and people of color. This woman– and minority-owned company is a signatory contractor that employs laborers from local building trade unions to install reinforcing steel bars for concrete companies, perform concrete placement and other general contracting services.
Nightsweats & T-cells (Cleveland)
Owner: Gil Kudrin Founded in 1990, Nightsweats & T-cells is an LGBTQ+-owned commercial screen-printing shop that uses its merchandise – ranging from backpacks to T-shirts – to deliver powerful messages about HIV/AIDS. The socially conscious company is staffed entirely by long-term AIDS survivors and HIV-positive workers who design custom products for AIDS service organizations, special events and mainstream businesses.
WTD Mechanical (Cleveland)
President and CEO: Fatima Ware
The DEI Supplier Accelerator program runs through November 2022.
Tags: Diversity