National Bankers Association President Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has announced the 2014 National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Award winners – 13 organizations, businesses and individuals who have demonstrated leadership and commitment in advancing the minority business community. MBDA will honor the winners during a special ceremony at the annual MED Week Conference on August 1 in Washington, D.C.
“This year’s MED Week awardees exemplify growth, diversity and transformation, and are true champions for the minority business community,” said Alejandra Y. Castillo, MBDA National Director. “We’re very proud of their tremendous achievements in helping grow the national economy through innovation, job and wealth creation.”
Winners were selected for the following awards: Abe Venable Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement; Ronald H. Brown Leadership Award; Champions of Minority Business Development; and Minority-Owned Firms. The awards are designed to celebrate and recognize outstanding achievements of minority entrepreneurs based on the challenges the business has overcome, total revenues, total jobs created and the economic impact the business has had on their community. MBDA also recognizes individuals and organizations that have demonstrated leadership and commitment in advancing the minority business community.
- Abe Venable Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement is being presented to Michael A. Grant, President of the National Bankers Association. This award is granted to an individual who has played an integral role in the creative, technical or professional progress of minority business development over the course of his/her life. Grant has served as president of the National Bankers Association (NBA) since 2008. Under his leadership, the NBA has expanded its advocacy for Minority Depository Institutions (MDI), and Grant has helped increase the group’s sustainability and influence in strategic partnerships.
There were 12 other award recipients recognized in the categories of minority-owned firms, champions of minority business development and leadership. For more information on the 2014 MED Week Award winners and ceremony, visit http://medweek.mbda.gov.
MBDA, www.mbda.gov, is the only Federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. minority-owned businesses. Our programs and services better equip minority-owned firms to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues and expand regionally, nationally and internationally. Services are provided through a network of MBDA Business Centers. After 45 years of service, MBDA continues to be a dedicated strategic partner to all U.S. minority-owned businesses, committed to providing programs and services that build size, scale and capacity through access to capital, contracts and markets. Follow us on Twitter @usmbda.
Photo: Michael Grant
