Minority Enterprise Development Week of WNC

History of MED Week

Since 1982, the U.S. President has proclaimed a National MED Week observance to recognize the outstanding achievements of minority businesses and to honor those corporations and financial institutions that support minority business development.  The national MED Week conference is held in Washington, DC each year and is the largest federally sponsored conference for minority entrepreneurs.

Western North Carolina has a long history of celebrating, educating and supporting minority entrepreneurs through regional MED Week events.  Previous events have included awards banquets, networking events and a variety of workshops on marketing, starting a business, financing and doing business with the government. For a calendar of this year's events, click here.

MED Week Committee of WNC            Board of Directors

Brenda Mills, Chair                                                                       City of Asheville

Sharon Oxendine, Vice Chair                                         Mountain BizWorks

Hope Huskey, Treasurer                                                       Cherokee  Business Development Center

Carol Hensley, Secretary                                                 Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce

Russ Yelton                                                                                     AB Tech's Center for Business & Technology Incubation

Joyce Harrison                                                                                Self-Help Credit Union

Annice Brown                                                                                  Small Business & Technology Development Center

Adrianne Gordon                                                                     Small Business & Technology Development Center

Jill Sparks                                                                                         AB Tech's Center for Business & Technology Incubation

Our Mission

To provide the best leadership and direction for the promotion, establishment and development of minority businesses in Western North Carolina through education, communication and advocacy.