Photo by Jackie Photography

BIPOC Businesses and Big Buyers Partner for Success

Rochester Procurement Equity Project

How can the way businesses spend money transform our local economy to one where more people can succeed? For eight of Rochester’s largest spenders, this transformation starts with connecting the dots between their needs for goods and services and the local vendors of color that can meet those needs. The result is a win-win, with reliable, local supply chains and more jobs and wealth in the places these businesses call home. 

In 2023, the Rochester Procurement Equity Project (RPEP) began working with some of our region’s largest employers to update purchasing practices and increase spending with vendors of color. These organizations have committed to leveraging their existing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to forge new and deeper partnerships with minority-owned businesses in the greater Rochester region.  

Our Economy is Stronger When Black and Brown Businesses Thrive 

“By creating these pathways for Black and Brown businesses to grow, we are investing not only in equity, but in a productive economy and upward mobility,” says RPEP Director Patricia Marcaida. “Only 8% of businesses in the greater Rochester area are minority-owned. If this number was in line with our demographics, it would be more like 24%, and we’d see a huge increase in new jobs and income. That’s a tremendous opportunity.” 

“By creating these pathways for Black and Brown businesses to grow, we are investing not only in equity, but in a productive economy and upward mobility,” says RPEP Director Patricia Marcaida.

A Partnership Decades in the Making 

Award-winning commercial printer Panther Graphics and leading regional manufacturer Baldwin Richardson Foods (BRF) have formed a deeper partnership through RPEP, the seeds of which were planted long ago. Eric Johnson, former president of BRF, was once a mentor to Tony Jackson, founder of Panther Graphics, sharing a friendship and the experience of being Black business owners. A few decades later, their daughters Erin Tolefree and Tae’lor Jackson have formed their own bond, and each has taken over leadership of their respective companies.  

Passing the Torch 

Tony Jackson, known as a print craftsman, built Panther Graphics from the ground up over 30 years ago. In 2024, Tae’lor Jackson took over the family business, equipped with an MBA from Simon Business School and fresh ideas around branding and using data to steer decisions. “The industry has changed over the years, but at our core, we have remained true experts in the craft of print,” says Tae’lor. A commitment to the highest quality standards is what made Panther Graphics such an attractive partner to BRF. 

Richardson Foods was acquired by Eric Johnson in 1997, forming the combined entity of Baldwin Richardson Foods. Today, it’s one of the largest African-American family-owned and women-led businesses in the United States. After nearly two decades in the company, Erin Tolefree was promoted to president in 2020. Conversations between Erin and Community Foundation President and CEO Simeon Banister were instrumental in taking RPEP from idea to reality.  

“We found we were motivated by a common interest in creating opportunities that advance equity and amplify economic impact in our community. Supply chains were disrupted after the pandemic, and interest in local, onshore solutions had grown,” says Erin. “We thought, why not here?” 

RPEP as Matchmaker and Resource 

BRF leadership had long felt strongly about creating more opportunity for minority-owned suppliers within their businesses. They knew they were in a unique position to help businesses scale by offering valuable perspective and mentorship. Getting connected to RPEP’s catalog of local BIPOC businesses made it easier to pursue this goal.  

When Baldwin Richardson signed on to the initiative, they received a deep analysis of the areas where their business needs and local vendors of color overlapped. Commercial printing for their labels stood out as a compelling opportunity, and they saw Panther Graphics as a familiar name on RPEP’s vendor list. The two businesses had worked together in the past, but when BRF switched to needing a different type of label, Panther didn’t have the equipment to do the work.  

Fast-forward five years, and Panther had invested in new equipment, increased the size of their facility, and brought on more employees. BRF was looking for a dependable new supplier just as Panther was ready to meet the call with expanded capabilities.  

Leadership in Action 

The purchasers and suppliers involved with RPEP are positioned to have major economic impacts, using their businesses to benefit the people who live and work in our community. “Today, BRF has over 500 employees locally — growth that began decades ago with a single opportunity that set us on a scalable path. That’s the kind of opportunity RPEP can identify and the impact we can create,” says Erin. 

“We can’t negate the historical past of this country. The inequities that were placed on Black and Brown people, businesses, and communities — we’re still overcoming those obstacles today,” says Tae’lor. “In order to have a more promising future for this country, we need to invest in those communities. You’re not just investing in Panther, you’re investing in people, in families.” 

Learn more about the Rochester Procurement Equity Project.