PHILADELPHIA — On Monday, October 3, local government and business leaders will kick off the 38th Annual Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week at the Parkway Central Library from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Every year, MED Week highlights diverse minority-owned businesses and the resources that help them grow. Throughout the first week of October, local organizations city-wide will host events and workshops focused around this year’s theme, Forging the Future: Growing Generational Wealth “This is How We Do It!”
“Minority Enterprise Development Week equips minority-, women-, and disabled-owned businesses with the practical tools they need to thrive in Philadelphia,” said Deputy Commerce Director, Lynn T. Newsome. “This year’s MED Week brings subject matter experts, local community organizations, and City departments together to share essential knowledge on everything from how to market your business using social media to financial investments. These educational workshops provide business owners with a path to build capacity and wealth for generations to come.”
MED Week 2022, which runs Monday, October 3 through Friday, October 7, features more than 40 events, including educational workshops, and interactive panel discussions. The annual celebration of minority businesses is co-chaired by the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce, African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, and DE, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Independence Business Alliance (Greater Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce).
“Business owners from all walks of life help to power Philadelphia’s diverse economy and make our great city’s vibrant story possible,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “This year’s 38th Annual Minority Enterprise Development Week is an opportunity to support our local businesses with resources while highlighting the achievements of diverse enterprises who uplift our economy and enhance the quality of life of their employees.”
Some of this year’s 40+ MED Week events include:
- MED Week Kick-Off Event (Oct. 3, in-person): Join the Office of Economic Opportunity as we kick off the 38th annual MED Week! OEO will share information about the 40+ events being held by partner organizations during the week, and recognize several people and businesses that have had an impact over the past year. Masks are encouraged. Register online.
- Diverse Chambers Coalition MED Week Convening (Oct.6, virtual): Join the Diverse Chambers Coalition of Greater Philadelphia for an event where business owners can network with each other and hear the results from the latest commerce-focused survey released by Diverse Chambers. Register online.
- More Than Just a Paycheck: How to Engage and Retain Employees (Oct. 6, virtual): Join the Department of Commerce’s Office of Business Services, State Representative Donna Bullock, City departments and business owners for a panel discussion on how to engage and retain employees in the current workforce climate. Register online.
- Starting the Road to Generational Wealth (Oct. 4, in-person): Join SCORE Philadelphia and Community College of Philadelphia’s Power Up Your Business program for four engaging workshops on starting and growing a business. Register online.
- Expanding Opportunities at the Navy Yard: Developing the Future(Oct. 5, in-person): Join the Office of Councilmember Katherine Gilmore for a discussion on the future of the Philadelphia Navy Yard and the opportunities available for small businesses. Register online.
The full list of more than 40 workshops and events during MED Week is available online at phila.gov/med-week