Press Releases

Agreements signed at Annual National MED Week Conference

WASHINGTON D.C. (October 7, 2011)- The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) today announced that it entered into two separate Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) during the annual Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference held September 27-30, 2011.  An MOU was signed each with the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Industry and Trade Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization (KOSGEB) and Tremco Incorporated. These MOUs will give minority-owned businesses access to greater markets which will increase their ability to grow and create jobs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 19, 2011) – The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) proudly announces the winner of the Ronald H. Brown Leadership Award for Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week 2011. The Honorable Robert Menendez, U.S. Senator from New Jersey, will be honored at the Annual Awards Gala at MED Week on September 30, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. The awards gala wraps up the three-day MED Week conference.

“MBDA is pleased to honor Senator Menendez with this leadership award for his commitment to strengthening the minority business community through initiatives that create economic growth and jobs. He is a man of action, and has a voice that commands action by others,” said MBDA National Director David Hinson.

The Ronald H. Brown Leadership Award spotlights individuals who have taken risks in the achievement of change, and those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership through significantly enhancing the development of diversity in the U.S. economy and abroad.

Funding will support new MBDA Business Centers in Boston, Minneapolis and Riverside, California

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 14, 2011) – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) today announced approximately $4.3 million in funding over the next five years for three new MBDA Business Centers (MBC) in Boston, Mass., Minneapolis, Minn., and Riverside, Calif., to stimulate job creation and support the economic growth of minority firms across the United States.  By investing in local communities across the nation, the Obama Administration continues to demonstrate its commitment to take actions designed to put more Americans to work and foster economic growth.

Winners will become candidates for National Minority Business of the Year Award

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) today proudly announced the recipients of the 2011 Regional Minority Enterprise Development Week award. The winners from five different regions – Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and New York – will make up the pool of eligible candidates for the National Minority Business of the Year Award, which is given to the nation’s top firms across a number of different categories. 

The regional awards are designed to celebrate the top minority firms achieving outstanding success in the construction, manufacturing, retail, energy, global technology and supplier distribution industries. Other categories of recognition include an advocate award, media award, distinguished supplier award, and an access to capital award.  

“Minority businesses are a phenomenal asset to the U.S. economy in a variety of sectors, from manufacturing to hospitality services and everything in between,” said MBDA National Director David Hinson. “These firms create good paying jobs and boost economic growth in America’s communities. The businesses recognized through the MED Week awards program represent just a few of our nation’s brightest and most innovative minority enterprises.”