Pictured: Recipients of 2019 Minority Enterprise Awards on stage at the U.S. Minority Business Development Agency’s awards ceremony held on September 9, 2019, in Washington, D.C.
It’s time to nominate or apply for a 2020 Minority Enterprise Award — the highest level of national recognition that a U.S. minority-owned firm can receive from the U.S. Department of Commerce. These annual awards from the department’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) are designed to honor businesses, organizations and individuals that have demonstrated leadership and commitment in advancing the minority business community and the national economy.
For the first time since the inception of National MED Week in 1983, the week-long commemoration of minority businesses will be a virtual experience. 2020 National MED Week will take place Sunday, September 13, 2020 to Saturday, September 19, 2020.
“The MED Week celebration and award program for minority business enterprises has been in existence for nearly 40 years,” said David Byrd, MBDA National Deputy Director. “In the unprecedented times our nation is facing during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue the tradition of commemorating National MED Week. We look forward to acknowledging, recognizing, and encouraging the well-deserved accomplishments and ingenuity being demonstrated in the minority business community at this critical time.”
During National MED Week 2019, Gary Davis, Founder, Publisher and CEO of Native Business, hosted the 2019 Minority Enterprise Awards in Washington, D.C. on September 9, 2019. At the ceremony, NEZ/FCI Native American, LLC was honored with the Minority Construction Firm of the Year Award.
Upon receiving the award, NEZ/FCI’s Founder and Controlling Manager Marvin Nez spoke to the significance of the recognition to his Native American-owned firm: “We made our way onto the map tonight, and we are a part of history. We will continue to write history, American Indian history. …We will continue to participate in American economy and business,” Nez said.
Nominations for 2020 MED Awards will be accepted in three award categories: Minority Firms of the Year, Champions of Minority Business Development, and Individual Recognition. For eligibility information and details on submitting nominations visit www.MBDA.gov/2020MEDWeekAwards. All applications must be received by July 15, 2020.
