Raising our Glasses to an Outstanding Diversity Champion

One of the great champions of supplier diversity over the last several decades has announced her intention to retire. Johnnie Booker, currently the Global Director of Supplier Diversity at Coca-Cola, is leaving after many years of outstanding work in the supplier diversity field. DiversityPlus is not alone in admiring her work, and this piece is a celebration of all she has done with the hope that her legacy will continue to enhance supplier diversity programs all over the world.

The Power Of The Opportunity

One of the ways that Johnnie Booker has impacted the field of supplier diversity is the strength of her belief in the opportunities available through partnerships with minority and women-owned businesses. She is an unflappable champion of the value of working with minority suppliers and of the business case for supplier diversity. Speaking with Booker, it is nearly impossible not to absorb some of her faith in the cause.

She backed her belief in the opportunities of supplier diversity with results on the ground. In her first year at Coca-Cola, contracts with MWBEs increased by 50 percent. Each year during her tenure, both the number of minority suppliers and the total dollars spent with MWBEs increased. This is an outstanding record, and one that builds on her already impressive track record from her time as vice president of the Resolution Trust Corporation, where she increased contracting fees for MWBEs by 30 percent.

By increasing awareness of the possibilities and opportunities for both sides of the contracting agreement, Booker has made the power of the opportunity clear to all who know her. “I think that my presence and success at Coca-Cola has shown… that despite the obstacles that are put before you, you can overcome them with diligence, perseverance, hard work and dedication,” said Booker, reflecting on her time at the company. “It has been a very rewarding experience.”

Two particularly rewarding successes during her time at Coca-Cola came from minority owned firms that took a small piece of the business and turned it into a major role at the company. One, Mail Centers Plus, has been with the company since Booker arrived, and grew from a small provider to the total package provider for mailroom and document services, beating out a major firm to win the business. Another is an African American owned firm that manages ingredients in the supply chain, which has significantly reduced costs for Coca-Cola. They have used their experience with Coca-Cola to build partnerships with other major manufacturing operations around the world.

The Power Of Teamwork

Booker is a believer in the power of teamwork and working together to create more opportunities in the diversity space. She considers developing a very effective team at Coca-Cola to be one of her biggest accomplishments. Through this team, Booker has been able to create a number of innovative solutions to bring diverse suppliers into the global supply chain.

Her commitment to the power of a team effort is also evident through her community partnerships and involvements. As a result, her many “children” and peers know to stand shoulder to shoulder to help everyone reach the mountaintop together. Says Dr. Rengen Li, a former colleague, “I learned from Johnnie to love the people who help the cause and never be afraid to stand up to those who are on the other side, despite the possible negative consequences.”

Booker is a board member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), the Women Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the Georgia Minority Supplier Diversity Council (GMSDC), and the Bronx Community College Foundation. She is a graduate of Hampton University and the Atlanta University School of Social Work. Her numerous affiliations include Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Dogwood City Chapter of The Links, Inc., The Circle-Lets, and Big Bethel AME Church.

The Power Of Recognition

Another key element of Booker’s career has been giving recognition to those who have helped the cause of supplier diversity or shown commitment to the ideals of the movement. Throughout the uphill and downhill cycles of the supplier diversity movement over the years, Booker has encouraged a fierce loyalty among diversity supporters. She and her team have often been the first to honor those who have helped raise the bar.

At Coca-Cola, Booker showed this element of her style with the creation of the Partners in the Promise awards dinner. This event has become an annual opportunity to recognize buyers and other stakeholders who demonstrated an exceptional commitment to supplier diversity. For many, it was the first time they had experienced such an event, and it has become a very popular celebration in the supplier diversity community.

Of course, along with giving recognition to others, Booker has earned her own fair share of recognitions. She was recently inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, honored by Hampton University as Alumnus of the Year, as “America’s Top Diversity Advocates” by DiversityBusiness.com, featured in Diversity Inc’s article, “Women We Love” and of course a DiversityPlus Champion of Diversity. In addition, she has received numerous other honors and recognitions for her outstanding professional accomplishments. Through it all she has remained humble and committed to the cause.

The Power Of Hope

Looking to the future for supplier diversity, Booker hopes it will continue to be recognized as an area that brings significant competitive advantage to enlightened corporations. Even as economic forces push for a consolidation in the supplier base, corporations that ensure that MWBE development isn’t sacrificed will come out ahead.

Though she is leaving the formal work world, Booker is by no means abandoning diversity champions. Instead, she will remain as an encouraging force in her organizations, pushing the next generation of supplier diversity leaders to never accept no and never allowing a hint that minority suppliers offer inferior products or services. “They are equal to anyone if given the opportunity,” said Booker.

Booker hopes that her own legacy will be that she had the opportunity to make a difference for minority and women-owned businesses. “I’ve always lived according to a principle taught to me by my mother and grandmother…that those who are blessed have a responsibility and obligation to spread those blessings to others. I was truly blessed to have a role in supplier diversity and worked diligently to assure that minority and women owned businesses were provided maximum opportunities to procurement opportunities in every aspect of my professional career,” she concluded.

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