It is the mission of the Department of Small Business Inclusion (SBI), as a unit within the Facilities Division, to assist in UAB’s efforts to increase participation of Diverse Business Enterprises in the procurement and construction process through education, advocacy, mentoring, relationship building and other data driven initiatives.
Small Business Inclusion Department serves as a liaison to purchasing, facilities, diverse suppliers and the university’s employees with purchasing responsibilities; assisting suppliers by;

• Providing outreach and education to diverse suppliers on “how to do business with UAB”
• Providing in reach and education to internal stakeholders on “doing business with diverse suppliers”
• Encouraging alliances and partnerships between diverse supplier and majority firms, DBE to DBE;
• Recruiting diverse suppliers to do business with UAB enterprise-wide;
• Advocating for inclusivity of diverse suppliers;
• Working with certifying advocacy organizations like the Southern Region Minority Supplier Development Council (SRMSDC), Birmingham Construction Industry Authority (BCIA), and Women’s Business Enterprise Council South (WBECS);
• Partnering with community organizations like Birmingham Business Alliance-African American, Hispanic Business Council and Birmingham Metro Black Chamber of Commerce.