Regional MED Week Honorees Named
By Johnnie Grant
An awards celebration culminated a week of activities that marked the 30th Year celebration of Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week.
MED Week was established in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan to recognize minority businesses and to honor those corporations and institutions that support minority business development.
The theme for this year’s MED Week was “Where Diversity Drives Innovation,” and five innovative Western North Carolina business owners were recognized for their contributions to our area. The honorees were:
Corey Coggins (not pictured), is the owner of Studio Boutique in Cherokee, NC. Corey has been in business since May 2010. Studio Boutique is a retail store that sells women’s clothing, jewelry, home goods, and accessories. The business has six employees. Studio Boutique has been profiled in Chic Boutiques magazine as one of the top boutiques in the world to shop.
Justina Muniz is the owner of Soundview Family Care Homes in Flat Rock, Asheville, and Black Mountain, NC. The 16 locations include 10 in Flat Rock, two in Asheville, and four in Black Mountain. Soundview Family Care Homes currently employees 22 people. Justina is active in the Henderson County Early College Program, South College Nursing Program, and is a member of the National Alliance for Mental Illness.
Raynetta Waters is the owner of F & R Waters Enterprises, which has been in business since 2009 and operates two franchised Subway restaurants employing a staff of 14. Raynetta is a business member of the Fairview Business Association, Western Area Subway Owners Board, and has received the Safe Serve Certification.
John R. Hayes received the newly instituted “Advocates Award.” He is the Executive Director of the Empowerment Resource Center, NAACP, and WRES 100.7 FM. Hayes is noted for his civic activism in the WNC region, and for his continued work with local youth.
Daniel Tramper is the owner of Deer Clan Productions in Cherokee, which specializes in Native American entertainment, including dancing, music (drum, flutes, etc.), and storytelling. The company also offers motivational speakers, comedians, and other forms of entertainment and can perform indoors or outdoors. Currently Deer Clan Productions has ten employees and produces up to 44 events throughout the year.
For more information about MED Week activities, contact the committee at www.wncmedweek.org/contact.
