Page 7 - 2017 MEDWEEK Program

2017
MED Week Board of Directors

Front, left to right: Melissa Hong, Beth Tramel (Chairman),
and Marice Hague. Rear: Nadine Carswell BO OA R D R EC C
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
E
OA
Not Pictured: Yetunde Oyewole, Jackie Perry,
Merisa Randolph, and Annette Paulson.

MED WEEK BACKGROUND

In December 1982, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation stating that the first full week
of October was designated as national “Minority Enterprise Development Week” (MED Week) to
recognize the tremendous contributions that minority business owners have made toward the
continued economic development of our Nation. The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority
Business Development Agency (MBDA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) were
named as the lead agencies for MED Week. Today, this worthwhile effort continues.

Since 1983 MED Week has been observed throughout the Nation, including Jacksonville, with
thousands of entrepreneurs participating in workshops, seminars, trade fairs, luncheons,
procurement conferences and other activities.

Annually, MED Week provides a forum for discussion of major issues affecting the growth
and development of minority business enterprises (MBEs). National MED Week provides an
opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions made by minority entrepreneurs and the
public / corporate sectors in support of minority enterprise development.

The First Coast Business Alliance is excited and honored to host MED Week here on the First
Coast.

7