Valerie Nesbitt is Norfolk Southern’s supplier inclusion and sustainability director, ensuring that contracts issued by the company maximize opportunities for small, minority and women-owned businesses. Nesbitt attended the Atlanta Business League’s Congress on the State of Black Business and was a panelist in the discussion of driving economic growth and the role of supplier diversity and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Nesbitt spoke with rolling out about DEI, what businesses should do to improve their initiatives and why organizations like the ABL are important.
Tell us why DEI is important for businesses.
We have a diverse community that we all live in, work in and play in. It’s just important that we level the playing field and provide opportunities for all businesses, such as minority, woman-owned, etc. So it’s all about just leveling the playing field, doing work and doing business with companies that buy our products, buy our services and help build our community and growing economic development and growing our communities.
How can businesses improve their DEI initiatives?
We have to do business with each other, and that’s one of the things I don’t see enough of. As Black-owned businesses, we’ve got to buy from each other, support each other and also hire as well. Bring up our children and those who are coming behind us. I think that’s really important, as well as reaching back and bringing in other businesses that they can help develop, grow and mentor going forward.
How are organizations like the ABL important for businesses?
It’s important to businesses because of the things, products and services that they bring. They provide training and also networking opportunities. In the world of supplier inclusion, it’s all about who you know. One of the beautiful things about the ABL is the fact that they offer these networking opportunities so that we can meet each other and get to know each other.
