MBDA Announces 2017 National MED WEEK Award Winners – Carmen Castillo Abe Venable Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) today announced the 2017 National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Award winners. This year the Agency honored 15 minority business enterprises (MBEs), businesses leaders and advocates for their leadership, commitment and excellence in advancing the interests and the economic achievements of the minority business community.
For more than 30 years, MBDA has observed National MED Week by convening award winners, key business leaders, influencers, MBEs and advocates during a week-long celebration. MBDA will once again lead the annual observance by hosting special MED Week programming and events during the 2017 National Minority Supplier Development Council Conference and Business Opportunity Exchange (NMSDC) Oct. 22-25 in Detroit.
“MBDA is delighted to celebrate such a prestigious group of innovators, advocates and business leaders for their extraordinary efforts in contributing to the economic success of the minority business community and the U.S economy.Your entrepreneurial spirit symbolizes the best of America. We salute your accomplishments and the many years of hard work that you’ve dedicated to achieving your success,” said MBDA Acting National Director Christopher Garcia.
Since 1983, every U.S. president has issued a Presidential Proclamation designating National Minority Enterprise Development Week to recognize the contributions of the minority business community to the U.S. economy. This year, President Donald J. Trump proclaimed the 2017 National MED Week as Oct. 22-28.
The following are the 2017 National Minority Enterprise Development Week Award Winners:
Abe Venable Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement recognizes an individual who has played an integral role in the creative, technical or professional progress of minority business development over the course of their life. This year’s award recipient is Carmen Castillo, President and CEO of SDI International Corp. SDI International is one of the largest certified diverse and woman-owned procurement outsourcing organizations in the world. Throughout her career, Castillo has worked diligently with local, regional and global non-governmental and trade organizations like the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge, the International Trade Center, and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to facilitate the growth and development of the minority supply base.
