The City of Greenville and Greenville Utilities Commission are gearing up for the annual Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week to take place September 28-October 3.  Events and activities will be held throughout the week to recognize the outstanding contributions of minority- and women-owned businesses to the economic vitality of the city.  All are welcome to join the celebration. 

On Monday, September 28, follow the City of Greenville on social media at facebook.com/CityofGreenvilleNC and @GNC_CityInfo to see what MED Week is all about.  Learn interesting facts and hear firsthand from local firms the importance of supporting minority- and women-owned businesses. 

The Blueprint for Success MED Week Conference will be held from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Wednesday, September 30.  The Conference will start off at 9:00 AM with a business pitch competition for cash and prizes.  All local, minority and women business owners are encouraged to apply prior to the September 18 deadline by downloading an application at mwbe.greenvillenc.gov.  The winner of the competition will be announced at the Recognition Luncheon, featuring keynote speaker Nika White.  White is a diversity practitioner who serves as the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for the Greenville, SC Chamber of Commerce. The afternoon will wrap up with one-on-one coaching sessions for small businesses.  Each business owner may sign up with up to ten coaches with expertise from legal to marketing to talk one on one about his/her business.  Conference attendees must pre-register at mwbe.eventbrite.com.  The cost is $15 for the conference.

Back for the third year is the City Crawl on Friday, October 2.  The Crawl is an opportunity to introduce the community to our treasure chest of local MWBE retail stores.  Each stop on the crawl has something different.  On stop number one, enjoy a “Breakfast with Champions” at GK Café and learn how to grow your business in the government sector.  On stop number two, get “powered up” with Apple retailer, Appogee, in this Lunch ’n’ Learn facilitated by owner Kristie King, sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.  Enjoy a relaxed tasting at olive oil and vinegar shop 692 Olive on stop number three and say hello to the weekend on our final stop with an After 5 networking event at Italian eatery, Corleones.  A detailed itinerary can be found when you register for these FREE events at mwbe.eventbrite.com.

Institutions, organizations, and business owners have embraced MED Week and will be hosting events throughout the week in celebration.  One such event is an awards show that will take place on Saturday, October 3, at 7:00 PM at Reimage Church hosted by Substantial Magazine and NC Civil.  The City will present its signature Standing on the Shoulders of Giants Award.

“The City of Greenville and Greenville Utilities Commission’s MWBE program is so excited to spearhead Greenville’s MED Week,” stated Denisha Harris, MWBE Coordinator for the City and GUC.  “MED Week is not just a municipal event, but a community event.  It is our opportunity to shine a spotlight on the good company we find in Greenville that is helping make our city great!” 

For additional information or to get involved, contact Harris at 252.329.4862 or dharris@greenvillenc.gov and on the web at mwbe.greenvillenc.gov.