- link Copy URL - [ Share on X ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Fifth Third Bank Hosts First Roundtable Event to Educate Minority Construction, Property Management Businesses https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/317531?absolute=1&via=3blnews "Share on X") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/317531?absolute=1 "Share on Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/317531?absolute=1 "Share on Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Fifth Third Bank Hosts First Roundtable Event to Educate Minority Construction, Property Management Businesses&body=ESG News from Fifth Third Bancorp https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/317531?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Responsible Production & the Circular Economy](/categories/responsible-production-circular-economy) # Fifth Third Bank Hosts First Roundtable Event to Educate Minority Construction, Property Management Businesses Feb 17, 2021 1:00 PM ET Campaign: [Inclusion at Fifth Third](/news/campaign/inclusion-fifth-third) ![](/s3/files/styles/carousel_2x/s3/2026-08/Screen_Shot_2021-02-17_at_12.30.45_PM_1786720016.png) Recently Fifth Third hosted the inaugural Diversity Inclusion Support and Connection Opportunities for Vendor Empowerment Roundtable event to bring awareness to business opportunities for certified minority businesses in the construction, design, repair and maintenance fields. The intent of the session was to provide insight and tips about how to bid work for upcoming Fifth Third projects and introduce diverse suppliers to key decision makers. The event featured keynote address from Stephanie Smith, senior vice president and chief inclusion and diversity officer at the Bank; information and insights from key Fifth Third leaders and CBRE, the commercial real estate services company; and next steps on future DISCOVER events. “We continue to take a thoughtful approach to diversifying our supply chain. Hosting educational opportunities help diverse businesses expand their knowledge about the procurement needs and process at Fifth Third and connects our non-diverse vendors with the many capable MBEs in the region,” said Marsha Thornton, vice president and director of supplier diversity at Fifth Third. Fifth Third’s supplier diversity program was established in 2015. Since then, the division’s leadership team has worked to expand its efforts through educating, developing and connecting with Black- and other minority-owned, veteran-owned and woman-owned small businesses. The work is intended to build a more robust system of minority suppliers, educate them on the request-for-proposal process and support them with technical assistance and training. In December, the Bank announced a deeper commitment to racial equality, equity and inclusion and six bold inclusion and diversity goals that focus on creating equitable environments for Black customers, communities and employees. Both initiatives emphasize building stronger relationships with diverse suppliers with the goal of their winning contracts with the Bank. John Moore, president of Moore Air, based in Cincinnati, said events like DISCOVER are important for business owners and the Bank. “We’re all a part of the same business community,” he said. “As opportunities expand and more vendors are engaged with the Bank it will continue to increase the probability of mutually beneficial relationships. Hosting these events isn’t a point of obligation for corporations, it’s a point of opportunity to enhance and amplify the business life cycle.” Additional DISCOVER sessions during 2021 will highlight projects and contracting opportunities that include the following areas: architecture, engineering, construction, and repair and maintenance services. The additional events will allow Tier 2 and Tier 3 trade partners the opportunity to explain their capabilities and to connect with contractors. Curtis Bodison, Fifth Third’s director of program and project management, said, “We believe strongly that improving connections with Tier 2 and 3 trade partners will help to transform supplier diversity at every level. This event series is just one example of how we will support this transformation going forward.” To learn more about Fifth Third’s supplier diversity program and future DISCOVER events, please contact <53SupplierDiversity@53.com>. ### Additional Media #### Images [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/public/images/Screen_Shot_2021-02-17_at_12.30.45_PM.png?h=61c3ba9b) ](/sites/default/files/images/Screen_Shot_2021-02-17_at_12.30.45_PM.png) [![Fifth Third Bancorp logo](/sites/default/files/2025-01/Logo_Primary-Stacked-Full%20%281%29.png)](/profiles/fifth-third-bancorp) ### More from Fifth Third Bancorp ###### [Fifth Third Receives 'World’s Top Disability Inclusive Business’ Recognition](/news/fifth-third-receives-worlds-top-disability-inclusive-business-recognition) Jul 27, 2026 9:25 AM ET ###### [Fifth Third Foundation Helps Students Pursue Higher Education With Scholarships](/news/fifth-third-foundation-helps-students-pursue-higher-education-scholarships) Jun 24, 2026 9:55 AM ET ###### [Fifth Third’s “Protect Your Money” Event in Detroit Provides Scam Awareness and Banking Safety Education](/news/fifth-thirds-protect-your-money-event-detroit-provides-scam-awareness-and-banking-safety) Jun 23, 2026 12:15 PM ET ###### [Fifth Third Surprises New Parents With $1,053 College Savings Gift for Babies Born on Fifth Third Day](/news/fifth-third-surprises-new-parents-1053-college-savings-gift-babies-born-fifth-third-day) May 5, 2026 9:45 AM ET ###### [Fifth Third Employees Tackle Food Insecurity and Financial Access Nationwide for 35th Annual “Fifth Third Day”](/news/fifth-third-employees-tackle-food-insecurity-and-financial-access-nationwide-35th-annual-fifth) May 4, 2026 4:45 PM ET ###### [Fifth Third Again Receives Outstanding Community Reinvestment Act Rating](/news/fifth-third-again-receives-outstanding-community-reinvestment-act-rating) Apr 15, 2026 2:25 PM ET ###### [Fifth Third Recognized Among 2026 USA Today Top Workplaces ](/news/fifth-third-recognized-among-2026-usa-today-top-workplaces) Apr 9, 2026 8:05 AM ET ###### [Fifth Third Named to Forbes List of World’s Best Banks 2026 Ranking](/news/fifth-third-named-forbes-list-worlds-best-banks-2026-ranking) Apr 8, 2026 9:05 AM ET