Minority Enterprise Development Committee Celebrates 30 Years

In 1982, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week to recognize the outstanding achievements of minority businesses and honor corporations and financial institutions that support minority business development.

Western North Carolina officially launched a MED Committee and chapter in 1983 to support minority and women-owned businesses in Western North Carolina. This year marks 30 years of celebrating, educating, and supporting minority entrepreneurs through regional MED Week events.

Sharon Oxendine, MED Committee board member and director of entrepreneurship at Mountain BizWorks stated, “I have been a member of the MED Committee board of directors for almost ten years. The work that these minority and women-owned businesses have accomplished are worthy of recognition for outstanding achievements. I am so proud to do my part in celebrating all people of all backgrounds who bring a spirit of excellence to the business economy of Western North Carolina.”

The MED Committee expects a great turnout this year for the scheduled events the week of September 23-27, 2013. Thanks to a generous host of sponsors, including our presenting sponsor Mission Health, the community is invited to the entire week of events at no charge.

Past winners include: Joseph and Laralyn Riverwind of Native Touch, Ricardo Bello of Village Florist, Kimberly Hunter of Prolific Consulting (award received for Forte Affair Events), and Lawrence E. Peterson of Peterson’s Appliances.

“Everyone in the WNC community is invited to celebrate with us. This is what we call a Western North Carolina family affair, and once you have attended one award ceremony and experienced first-hand the camaraderie, respect, and stories behind the businesses, you will never be the same,” states Kimberly Hunter, former MED Week winner and board member of the MED Committee.

For more information about MED Week or to confirm attendance at the press conference on Tuesday, August 27 at 2 p.m. at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, contact [email protected] or visit www.wncmedweek.org.