The Journal

Reporting on supplier diversity.

Working coverage of certifications, corporate procurement, federal contracting, financing, and the operators making each work for diverse-owned businesses. Every piece checked against primary sources.

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SBA Certification Rule Changes for 2026: Complete Guide for WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, and 8(a)

Guide · 15 min

SBA Certification Rule Changes for 2026: Complete Guide for WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, and 8(a)

Comprehensive breakdown of 2026 SBA certification changes by program: new recertification rules, deadline extensions, eligibility requirements, and action items.

Feb 17, 2026 · SupplierDiversity.com Editorial Team

How to become a Citigroup supplier (and what its diversity program looks like in 2026)

Citi spent over $1.3 billion with certified diverse suppliers in 2022, then quietly reworked its DEI program in February 2025. Here's how …

Feb 17, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Iowa government

Selling to the State of Iowa comes down to two systems and one certification. Register in IMPACS to see the bids, get …

Feb 16, 2026 · Mario Bailey

The ROI of MBE Certification: $183 Billion in Federal Contracts Await Your Business

The ROI of MBE Certification: $183 Billion in Federal Contracts Await Your Business

FY2024 federal small-business contracting hit $183 billion. How much of that flows through MBE certification, what NMSDC certification actually costs vs. returns, …

Feb 16, 2026 · SupplierDiversity.com Editorial Team

How to become a Cisco supplier: what their procurement and supplier diversity process actually looks like

You can't sell to Cisco by filling out a form. A Cisco representative starts every new-supplier request, onboarding runs through Smart Buy …

Feb 16, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Indiana government

Selling to Indiana runs through one agency: IDOA. Here's how to register as a bidder, get certified as an MBE, WBE, or …

Feb 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to Protect Your Small Business Certification During Heightened SBA Oversight

Guide · 14 min

How to Protect Your Small Business Certification During Heightened SBA Oversight

A practical compliance framework for 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, and HUBZone certified businesses navigating the most intense enforcement environment in the programs' history.

Feb 13, 2026 · SupplierDiversity.com Editorial Team

How to become a Cigna diverse supplier

Cigna has committed to more than $1 billion in annual diverse supplier spend and actively recruits certified MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, LGBTBE, and …

Feb 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Got Certified? Now What: 7 Strategies to Actually Win Contracts After Certification

Guide · 10 min

Got Certified? Now What: 7 Strategies to Actually Win Contracts After Certification

Your diversity certification is a door opener, not a deal closer. Here are seven battle-tested strategies that certified suppliers are using to …

Feb 12, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Chevron diverse supplier

Chevron is a $200 billion energy company with a formal supplier diversity program and NMSDC corporate membership. This guide covers how to …

Feb 12, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Over 400 Fortune 500 Companies Now Seek LGBTQ+-Owned Suppliers

Article · 6 min

Over 400 Fortune 500 Companies Now Seek LGBTQ+-Owned Suppliers

Nearly 450 Fortune 500 corporations partner with NGLCC to source from LGBTBE-certified businesses. Learn which companies are leading LGBTQ+ supplier diversity.

Feb 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Caterpillar diverse supplier

Caterpillar is a $67 billion industrial manufacturer with a formal supplier diversity program and active NMSDC and WBENC memberships. This guide covers …

Feb 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Illinois government

Selling to Illinois means three systems and one certification choice. Register in the IPG and BidBuy, then decide whether BEP, veteran, or …

Feb 10, 2026 · Mario Bailey

NMSDC vs WBENC: Which Certification Should You Pursue First?

If you qualify for both NMSDC MBE and WBENC WBE, which do you pursue first? A practical decision framework based on the …

Feb 10, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Capital One diverse supplier

Capital One is a Billion Dollar Roundtable member with explicit diverse-spend targets. Here is how registration works through iVendix and what actually …

Feb 10, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Idaho government

Idaho runs its procurement through one free portal called IPRO, and it has no statewide minority or women-owned set-aside program. Here's what …

Feb 9, 2026 · Mario Bailey

NMSDC MBE Certification: The Complete 2026 Guide to Minority Business Certification

Guide · 14 min

NMSDC MBE Certification: The Complete 2026 Guide to Minority Business Certification

Everything you need to know about NMSDC MBE certification. Learn eligibility requirements, application steps, costs, timeline, and how to access Fortune 500 …

Feb 9, 2026 · SupplierDiversity.com Editorial Team

How to become a Boeing supplier: the registration path and what its diversity program actually accepts

Becoming a Boeing supplier starts with a capability assessment in the ESLC portal, not a sales pitch. Here's the registration path, the …

Feb 9, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Picking NAICS codes for federal contracts (and why size standard matters)

The contracting officer, not you, sets the NAICS code on each solicitation, and that code decides whether you count as small. Here's …

Feb 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Best Buy supplier (and use its supplier diversity program)

Best Buy buys through a partner portal, not a cold pitch. Here's how the supplier paths actually differ, where a diversity certification …

Feb 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

MBE vs WBE vs 8(a) vs WOSB: Which Certification Unlocks the Best Contracts?

Guide · 11 min

MBE vs WBE vs 8(a) vs WOSB: Which Certification Unlocks the Best Contracts?

Six certifications, two ecosystems, one decision: federal (8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone) vs. corporate (MBE, WBE). Cost, processing time, market access, and which …

Feb 5, 2026 · SupplierDiversity.com Editorial Team

How to become a Bank of America supplier: vendor registration and the supplier diversity path

Bank of America spends over $2 billion a year with diverse suppliers and runs one of the oldest programs in banking. Here's …

Feb 5, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Hawaii government

Hawaii runs its bids through HIePRO and posts every notice on HANDS. Registration is free, but one compliance step gates every award …

Feb 4, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Is MBE Certification Actually Worth It? What I Learned After 18 Months

Article · 7 min

Is MBE Certification Actually Worth It? What I Learned After 18 Months

A candid look at whether minority business certification delivers real ROI. Spoiler: it depends on your industry and how you use it.

Feb 4, 2026 · Mario Bailey

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