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University of Kentucky Supplier Diversity

University of Kentucky is committed to serve as an advocate for diverse businesses in their efforts to conduct business.

Diverse Business Enterprises consist of minority, women, disabled, veteran and disabled veteran owned business firms that are at least fifty-one percent owned and operated by an individual(s) of the aforementioned categories. Also included in this category are disabled business enterprises and non-profit work centers for the blind and severely disabled.

New! - As an additional resource for diverse suppliers, visit the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) website for information on upcoming events of interest. These include training, workshops, certification information, etc. Click here to access the Kentucky SBDC Training Events page.

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Our goals are defined as follows: To increase the amount of goods and services acquired by the university from businesses owned and controlled by diverse persons to 10% of all procurement To ensure the absence of barriers that reduce the participation of diverse vendors Educate vendors on "how to" do business with the university Support diverse vendors seeking to do business with the university in the areas of goods, services, construction and all areas of procurement Encourage participation of qualified diverse vendors by directing them to agencies that can benefit from their product or service Provide resources for diverse vendors Maintain a database of designated diverse vendors for use by buyers, project managers, construction managers, general contractors and other purchasing entities seeking qualified vendors Sponsor seminars and conduct training workshops to assist diverse vendors to become an active, responsible and responsive participant in the university's purchasing opportunities

University of Kentucky Strategic Plan 2021

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Diversity and Inclusivity

Seeks to enhance the diversity and inclusivity of our university community through recruitment, promotion, and retention of an increasingly diverse population of faculty, administrators, staff, and students, and by implementing initiatives that provide rich diversity-related experiences for all, to help ensure their success in an interconnected world.

UK Mission Statement

The University of Kentucky is a public, land grant university dedicate to improving people’s lives through excellence in education, research and creative work, service, and health care.  As Kentucky’s flagship institution, the University plays a critical leadership role by promoting diversity, inclusion, economic development, and human well-being. The University of Kentucky: Facilitates learning, informed by scholarship and research Expands knowledge through research, scholarship, and creative activity Serves a global community by disseminating, sharing, and applying knowledge The University, as the flagship institution, plays a critical leadership role for the Commonwealth by contributing to the economic development and quality of life within Kentucky’s borders and beyond.  The University nurtures a diverse community characterized by fairness and equal opportunity.

Strategic Vision Statement

As Kentucky’s indispensable institution, we transform the lives of our students and advance the Commonwealth we serve—and beyond—through our teaching and learning, diversity and inclusion, discovery, research and creativity, promotion of health, and deep community engagement. Click here to read the UK Strategic Plan 2021.

Trusted Jurisdictions

We will accept certification from jurisdictions including but not limited to the following:

  • Tri State Minority Supplier Development Council (TSMSDC)
  • National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
  • Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
  • National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
  • United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC}
  • United States Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAAC)
  • Historically Underutilized Business (HUB Zone)
  • Women Owned Small Business (WOSB)
  • Small Business Administration (SBA)
  • Service Disabled Veteran (SDV)
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Kentucky Minority Business Database

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce provides access to the Kentucky Minority Business Database.  The resource is a combination of all of the public databases of Kentucky-certified diverse suppliers in one searchable site. Access the Kentucky Minority Business Database
Public
Unrestricted