NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange 2026

The Honorable Donald “Don” R. Cravins, Jr. is the President and CEO of NMSDC. A nationally recognized leader in public service, business development, and advocacy, Mr. Cravins was named to the inaugural ForbesBLK 50 list for his impact and accomplishments. Previously, Mr. Cravins served as the nation’s first Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development, leading the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Appointed in 2022 and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he oversaw the agency’s historic expansion and elevation into a permanent federal institution, supporting over 9.7 million minority business enterprises. Mr. Cravins began his career in elected office, serving in both the Louisiana House of Representatives and State Senate. In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, he championed recovery efforts for local business owners. On Capitol Hill, he served as Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, helping to craft and pass the landmark Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. He later became Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu. A graduate of Louisiana State University (B.A., Political Science) and Southern University Law Center (J.D.), Mr. Cravins is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army National Guard. He is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and The Rocks, Inc., and a member of the 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County. His honors include induction into the Southern University Law Center Hall of Fame, recognition as a Distinguished Alumnus of LSU, and being named Advocate of the Year by the National Bar Association in 2020.

As leader of NMSDC’s advocacy program, Ms. Morris sets policy initiatives to support the economic development of more than 16,000 certified minority business enterprises (MBEs). Before joining NMSDC, Ms. Morris was the founder and President of LWM Enterprises, A Life Work Synergy, LLC company that focused on helping clients streamline processes to make things happen. She has been a longtime advocate for women and minority-owned businesses and has mentored and coached individuals and companies on how to break down barriers that have them stuck. Ms. Morris spent over 35 years in the Technology industry and has a wealth of diverse experiences, perspectives, and thought leadership. She has worked across the spectrum in executive leadership roles in technology startups, small businesses, and large corporations such as IBM, where she rose through the ranks to become a vice president during a time when there were very few black women at that level. Over her career, Ms. Morris has received many awards recognizing her work as a leader, including: “Women Who Make a Difference in Technology” by US Black and Hispanic Engineer Magazines. Outstanding Woman in Business – NYC Project Legacy, and Woman of Excellence – NAFE Magazine. She is the author (under the pen name Lisa J. Whaley) of Reclaiming My Soul from the Lost and a contributing author to Chicken Soup for the African American Woman’s Soul. Ms. Morris received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Hampton University, where she became a member of the Gamma Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. In addition, she participated in Harvard University’s Executive Leadership Symposium and the Women Executive Leadership Program at UCLA Anderson School of Management through IBM. Ms. Morris lives by the motto that when you are passionate about the work you do, you never have to work another day in your life. In her spare time, she relishes riding her Can-Am Spyder and feeling the wind on her back, and total freedom from any stressors in life!

Jetheda Hernandez is a passionate and experienced leader in the field of minority business development and supplier diversity. With over 15 years of entrepreneurship and economic mobilization advocacy, she has created a reputation for her business savvy, natural leadership, and selfless partnership-creation. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Programs at NMSDC, one of the country’s leading corporate membership organizations that matches over 16,000 certified minority-owned businesses to its vast network of corporate members. In her role, Jetheda manages relationships with corporations and organizations across the country, working to build strong alliances that aid in the growth, sustainability, and success of minority businesses. She also oversees the development and implementation of strategic marketing, community engagement, and revenue generation initiatives that support the mission and vision of NMSDC. Additionally, Jetheda is an inspiring and influential speaker and advocate for women of color in business, as well as an adjunct business professor at Coppin State University in Baltimore, MD. Jetheda holds an MBA from the University of Miami and a BBA from James Madison University, and has received multiple honors and awards for her outstanding work and leadership.

Desde que empecé este programa, he empezado a trabajar en un centro de distribución en Cleveland. Esto proporcionará puestos de trabajo en una comunidad que me encanta y eliminará al intermediario en mi negocio y aumentará mis márgenes en al menos 30%. Ha sido un sueño, pero ahora se está haciendo realidad para mí.

Cada instructor durante el programa NMSDC EYE ha sido una influencia positiva para Uncharted Territory Solutions. EYE nos colocó estratégicamente con mentores clave para ayudarnos a hacer crecer nuestro negocio. Con su ayuda, pude reestructurar mi marca y aprender lecciones clave que me ayudaron a ampliar mi negocio.

Autor de 'Backstage Pass: Pulling the Curtain Back on the Business of Supplier Diversity'

Miembro de la Iniciativa para la Equidad de los Agricultores Negros del NMSDC, dirige Ophelia's Blue Vine Farm.

President and CEO of JLAN Solutions and owner of an NMSDC-certified minority business.

During the program we were able to start a new CSA program and are gearing up to enter new markets. Thank you, Cargill, and NSMDC for supporting farmers and providing us with this wonderful opportunity! We are excited about taking our farm business to the next level and appreciate the support from this amazing program.

El programa [Acres] ha sido una experiencia valiosa. Aprendí nueva información e hice nuevas conexiones. Aumentó mi conocimiento de ciertos temas, al tiempo que me expuse a nuevas experiencias e ideas que incluían nuevos cultivos y sistemas. Sé que la experiencia seguirá dando resultados aunque haya terminado el programa.