Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week 2018 Celebrates Local Minority-Owned Businesses with 30+ Events

PHILADELPHIA — On October 1, local government and business leaders will kick off the 34th Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week. MED Week highlights minority businesses and connects them to resources that can help their firms grow. For one week, organizations from across the region will host various events focused around this year’s theme, Elevate Equity.

MED Week 2018, which will run Monday, October 1 through Friday, October 5, features more than 30 events, including educational workshops, interactive panel discussions, one-on-one coaching, and more. Philadelphia City Council recognized MED Week during a public session on September 27. The annual celebration of minority businesses is co-chaired by the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce, The African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE, The Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and The Minority Business Development Agency.

“Economic equity starts with everyone being given access to the same opportunities” said Iola Harper, Deputy Commerce Director for the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). “During MED Week, the City and our partners come together to provide resources, training, tips and connections to local minority businesses. The success of these firms is vital to our region’s continued growth, and we want to ensure they are not only made aware of available opportunities, but also prepared to take them on.”

2018 MED Week events include:

• MED Week Kick-Off Breakfast and Open for Business Event (October 1): Kick-off awards reception, honoring Marla Hamilton, VP of Client Engagement for PIDC, as the 2018 OEO Champion and Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. as the OEO Advocate of the Year. Reggie Browne, senior managing director overseeing the exchange traded funds business at Cantor Fitzgerald, will serve as the keynote speaker. Following the reception, attendees can participate in “Open for Business” – an event highlighting current and future contracting opportunities with the City of Philadelphia.

• What I Was Not Told (October 2): PHLDiversity’s moderated panel discussion focused on issues impacting black women business owners. Panelists will reflect on their own successes and struggles in order to motivate and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

• Owning the RFP Process: How to Submit and Win (October 3): Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and PIDC co-host an event featuring expert presentations on best practices meant to provide valuable information, guidance, and advice to minority-owned business enterprises on how to best respond to RFQS, RFPs, and contracting opportunities with the Navy Yard, Rebuild, and other development projects across Philadelphia.

• Let’s Share a Cup of Coffee (October 4): Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. hosts a workshop to discuss procurement opportunities in construction, equipment, supplies and professional services. Confirmed panel attendees — McDonald’s, Starbucks, Chic-Fil-A and Rita’s Water Ice.

• Lighting the Torch (October 4): The Enterprise Center’s signature fall event and networking reception recognizing excellence in the field of minority entrepreneurship.

For additional information and the full list of workshops and events, visit phila.gov/med-week.