Minority Business Development Agency - U.S. Department of Commerce

#ICYMI: Today, Vice President Kamala Harris announced the 43 winners of the $125 million American Rescue Plan-funded Capital Readiness Program. MBDA’s Capital Readiness Program is the largest-ever direct Federal investment in small business incubators and accelerators of its kind. “President Biden and I are fighting to ensure that every entrepreneur in America — no matter who they are or where they live — can access the capital to start or grow a business, create jobs, and thrive.” – Vice President Harris For more information, visit www.MBDA.gov/CRP

#ICYMI: The Minority Business Development Agency celebrates National Native American Heritage Month! "We celebrate the hundreds of Tribal Nations that are ushering in a new era in our Nation-to-Nation relationships. And we recommit to respecting Tribal sovereignty and self-determination and working in partnership with Tribal Nations to bring new prosperity and security to Native peoples." - President Joseph R. Biden.

Trailblazing leadership and a commitment to community define this year’s Individual Recognition honorees at the 2024 National MED Week Awards. Let’s shine a light on two outstanding leaders who are making a difference in economic growth and community empowerment! 🏆 Donata Russell Ross transformed Concessions International into a national leader in airport concessions, serving major airports across the U.S. and the Virgin Islands. Her leadership expanded the company’s reach while staying true to family values. Recognized with the Abe Venable Legacy Award, her success is rooted in integrity and commitment to community. 🏆 Necole Elam, the youngest President & CEO of the National Bankers Association, is honored with the Ronald H. Brown Leadership Award for her transformative work in minority banking. Under her leadership, the NBA has modernized minority-owned banks and delivered capital to underserved communities, reshaping financial inclusion. Donata Russell Ross and Necole Elam are redefining leadership by combining business excellence with meaningful community impact. Their efforts are expanding access to financial resources, creating economic opportunities, and building pathways that will empower underserved communities for generations to come. #MEDWeek2024

This year’s honorees are changing the landscape of business and community impact. Through their leadership, they’re driving progress in ways that reach far beyond their own businesses. Let’s take a look at some of the exceptional winners of the 2024 National MED Week Awards! 🏆 Daniel Ceniceros, Connect CRE – Minority Marketing and Communications Firm of the Year Daniel Ceniceros is reshaping the way commercial real estate news is shared. With Connect CRE’s coast-to-coast presence in LA and NYC, he’s creating a platform that unites industry professionals across generations. 💻 Pamela Ramos-Brown, Be Wealthy with Pamela LLC – Minority E-Commerce Firm of the Year Pamela Ramos-Brown has helped minority business enterprises secure more than $2 billion in contracts and create over 1,500 jobs. Her approach to e-commerce demonstrates how strategic thinking can deliver powerful results for minority-owned companies. 🛡️ Zef Banda, Banda Group International, LLC, LLC – Minority Veteran-Owned Firm of the Year For over two decades, Zef Banda has led Banda Group International, building a trusted reputation in safety and environmental consulting. With clients like NASA and the Department of Defense, Zef’s dedication to safety continues to protect both people and operations. 🔐 Daren Masten, Clear Cloud Solutions Inc. – Robert J. Brown Minority Business Enterprise of the Year Daren Masten leads Clear Cloud Solutions with a mission to protect critical assets through advanced security systems. His work goes beyond business success, with a strong commitment to mentoring Native American entrepreneurs and uplifting tribal communities. These leaders are rewriting the rules of business, proving that success isn’t just about growth—it’s about lifting others up along the way. #MEDWeek2024

The 2024 National MED Week Awards were all about celebrating innovation, resilience, and the power of minority business enterprises to reshape industries. From groundbreaking tech to transformative healthcare, these awardees are leading the way and making a lasting impact across the globe. 🏆 Precision 2000 (P2K), led by Guiomar Obregon, has become a force in civil engineering, serving clients like the Georgia DOT and Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Winning Minority Construction Firm of the Year celebrates their unmatched expertise in high-strength concrete repairs, along with their proud Hispanic leadership that’s paving the way for even more milestones. 🏆 Under the leadership of Bianca Rhodes, Knight Aerospace has developed the world’s first "Flying E.R.," transforming aeromedical transport. Their cutting-edge medical modules, now deployed in military aircrafts across 37 countries, are setting a new benchmark for patient care in the air. 🏆 Fabpro Technologies Inc., founded by Antoine Hutchinson in 2006, is the only Black-owned precision metal manufacturing firm in the Mid-Atlantic, specializing in contract work for aerospace, defense, and telecommunications. Beyond the shop floor, Fabpro offers paid internships to local students and provides second chances to underserved populations, including hands-on training for previously incarcerated individuals. 🏆 Eric S. Trevan, Ph.D, leads aLocal a Native-owned AI platform that is transforming economic analytics by ensuring equity and accessibility for all stakeholders. Founded in 2019, aLocal delivers award-winning solutions to governments, Native nations, and organizations, providing timely, cost-effective economic analysis that levels the playing field in decision-making. 🏆 Founded by Roy Rivera, Jr., PT, PhD, DPT, MCHES in 2012, Elation Physical Therapy is a leader in inclusive rehabilitative care, particularly in the area of gender-affirming post-op support through its groundbreaking ELATION Protocol. With a patient-centered approach and multiple locations across Texas, the clinic is revolutionizing care for the LGBTQ+ community while championing diversity, equity, and holistic healing. These awardees are more than leaders—they’re champions of economic equity and inclusion. Their success isn’t just about business—it’s about paving the way for a more inclusive, equitable future for all. #MEDWeek2024

We were honored to have U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves join us at the 2024 National MED Week and National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Annual Conference and Exchange in Atlanta, where he highlighted the billions of dollars in federal infrastructure investments and pathways for minority business enterprises to access this historic funding. He shared his perspective during our Investing in America panel and helped celebrate our exceptional MED Week awardees alongside MBDA Deputy Under Secretary Eric Morrissette. Thank you, Deputy Secretary Graves, for your steadfast advocacy for minority business enterprises and championing economic inclusion across America. #MEDWeek2024 #NMSDCConference #DefiningNewNorms

Last week at the 2024 National MED Week and National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Annual Conference and Exchange, MBDA Deputy Under Secretary Eric Morrissette introduced an insightful fireside chat between U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and NMSDC CEO and President Ying McGuire. The conversation between Ms. Raimondo and Ms. McGuire discussed the role of minority business enterprises in driving economic development and innovation to build a more competitive and resilient American economy. Thank you to these incredible leaders for their continued commitment to expanding opportunities for minority business enterprises! #MEDWeek2024 #NMSDCConference #DefiningNewNorms

The drum beat of creating a “new normal” for minority supplier and business diversity was the theme of the 2024 NMSDC’s Conference and Exchange in Atlanta Georgia, October 20 - 23, 2024. This promotion video captures one segment of this informative and action focused conference. It's called the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)’s Equity in Business Podcast. It includes a distinguished list of economic development ambassadors and advocates who shared their thought leadership in conversational style interviews. Indeed, this cohort of individuals and organizations are all intentional about growing the world economy through business and supplier diversity. They include: Eric Morrissette, Deputy Under Secretary of Minority Business Development MARC MORIAL, President and CEO of the National Urban League Monika Mantilla, Founder, President and CEO, Altura Capital Mark L. Madrid Entrepreneur & Scholar In Residence, NMSDC, CEO, AI Futurist, Former SBA Associate Administrator and Presidential Appointee Dr. Malik Yoba, Storyteller, All Media, Founder Yoba Development Selena Cuffe, Chief Growth Officer & Co-founder, Blackstone Consulting, Inc. & Heritage Link Brands, LLC S. Michelle Foye DBE MBE WBE EDWOSB, CEO, Précis Screening, LLC Kurtis Trevan, CEO, NClude Capital Ryan L. Smith, Executive Vice President, Atlanta Life Insurance Company Reshma Sheikh, Managing Director, Minority Supplier Development UK Durecia Moorer, MS, MDiv Moorer, ABCD & Company, Co-Founder, Managing Partner & CMO Tracey Woods, Managing Partner & CMO, Constellation Energy Terry Pierce, Head of Strategic Alliances, Raistone Rebecca Meeker, SVP, Global Partnerships and Segments Mastercard Desha Elliott, Ph.D. Elliott, Impact Development Director, Accion Opportunity Fund Paul Williams, Chief Procurement Officer -- Systemwide Procurement, The University of California Office of the President   Sahra Halpern, President and CEO, NMSDC Business Consortium Fund Ying McGuire McGuire, President and CEO of the NMSDC Gina Raimondo, United States Secretary of Commerce Don’t miss the upcoming NMSDC Equity in Business Podcast on the individuals and organizations listed above in 2025. A tentative schedule of releases is forthcoming shortly. John G Daniel, Host and Creator of the NMSDC’s Equity in Business Podcast John G Daniel Productions LLC Jordan Taylor, Jered Weber,Stefan Bradham, CAE, CDE®, Janice S. Gin, Nita Daniel, Courtney J., Princell Hair,Sanjeev Bhavnani, Helen Murphy, Steve Ennis, Natalie Chantal McGrady

What an incredible week in Atlanta celebrating minority business enterprise excellence at the 2024 National MED Week and National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Annual Conference and Exchange! 🌟 From venture capital and strategic funding to government contracting opportunities, we explored pathways to help MBEs scale and thrive. Under the theme of "Defining New Norms," we brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and MBEs to chart the course for a more equitable business ecosystem. MBDA Deputy Under Secretary Eric Morrissette was honored to welcome Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, who shared powerful perspectives during our Investing in America panel and 2024 National MED Week reception, as well as Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo for an insightful fireside chat with NMSDC President and CEO Ying McGuire. Congratulations to our remarkable 2024 National MED Week awardees who exemplify excellence in MBE development. Your achievements inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs! Thank you to everyone who joined us as we work together to create lasting economic opportunities for minority business enterprises across America. #MEDWeek2024 #NMSDCConference #DefiningNewNorms Black Star Fund, CALIFORNIA ASIAN PACIFIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Endemic Venture Capital, Business Consortium Fund, BlackRock, The White House, U.S. Department of Commerce, Export-Import Bank of the United States, U.S. Small Business Administration, MBDA Federal Procurement Center, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), GSA, Steve Benjamin, Reta Jo Lewis, Esq., Dilawar Syed

Last night, we concluded the 2024 National MED Week at the NMSDC Awards Ceremony and Farewell Reception, where Deputy Under Secretary Eric Morrissette delivered closing remarks. The evening was a fitting celebration of the trailblazing spirit that drives minority business enterprises across America. #MEDWeek2024