Earlier this year, Toyota was recognized by WBCS as the top corporation of the year at the Annual Parade of  Stars Gala. At the gala, the award was received by Cheryl Hughes, Group Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Toyota Mortor North America Inc. We celebrate Toyota for implementing world-class policies and programs to enable growth and innovation while creating a level playing field for women-owned businesses. Long before Toyota Motor North America Inc. opened its North American headquarters in Plano Texas, bringing thousands of jobs to the area, the global car manufacturer had its feet firmly planted in the soil of diversity and inclusion. “Diversity and inclusion have always been among Toyota’s top priorities,” said Dian Ogilvie, senior vice president and chief diversity officer at Toyota Motor North America.

Toyota has exemplified a commitment to strengthen their supplier diversity to work with WBEs through purchasing practices. Toyota has long appreciated the vital role that women- and minority-owned companies play in the supply chain.  As said by, Bonnie Clinton, Chief Procurement Officer for Indirect Procurement at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "we firmly believe that networking, learning and harnessing the economic power of a diverse range of businesses will enable Toyota and the communities we serve to grow and flourish." Toyota's website firmly states, "At Toyota, we believe an auto company can be a vehicle for a change...Toyota is proud to partner with nonprofit organizations across the U.S.in the local communities where we live and work." Through their Supplier Diversity processes, "Toyota supports organizations like WBCS, with the common goals of development and economic sustainability of diverse entrepreneurs who provide a competitive advantage and deliver exceptional experiences through innovation." (Toyota)

The power of women is undeniable in today’s marketplace — especially considering demographic shifts and statistics indicating that more than 40 percent of businesses in the U.S. are owned by women, with one out of 11 American women being an entrepreneur. According to the Small Business Administration, WBEs generate between $2 and $3 trillion in revenues annually and support the employment of 18 million workers.

Toyota’s supplier diversity processes are integrated across all divisions of the company and include programs and events that support supplier development and sustainability. The company supports programs that focus on the environment, youth and education, safety, and diversity. As said by WeTexas, "Suppliers who want to do business with Toyota should understand that the process can be cumbersome and tiring, but the effort is well worth the sweat equity put into the process."  What's essential is Toyota takes pride in developing sustainable long-term business partnerships with WBE suppliers and that's why we honor them.