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Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality Announces 32nd Annual Big Bend Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Schedule and Award Recipients

09/24/2024

The Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) is proud to announce the schedule of events and award recipients for the 32nd Annual Big Bend Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, taking place October 7–11, 2024. This weeklong celebration highlights the contributions of minority-owned businesses and fosters connections between local entrepreneurs, government, and industry leaders. 

This year’s MED Week theme, “Connect and Collaborate to Create Success,” will feature workshops and networking opportunities designed to promote the economic success of minority-owned enterprises. The event will kick off with an Opening Reception at Earley’s Kitchen on October 7, followed by a series of capacity-building workshops, and closing with the highly anticipated MED Week Awards Celebration on October 10. 

MED Week continues to champion diversity in business and economic development by providing tools, resources, and recognition to minority-owned businesses. See below for a full schedule of events and to learn more about this year’s award recipients.  

Opening Reception:  

MED Week Kick-off Reception  
Monday, October 7 
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM  
Earley’s Kitchen   
Sponsored by Elite Business Strategies
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1015704307927?aff=oddtdtcreator  

Workshops: 

How to do Business with the Government Workshop and Networking  
Tuesday, October 8  
8:30 AM – 1:00 PM  
FSU Turnbull Conference Center Room 114  
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1020647392827?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Building Resilience and Capital Planning Workshop  
Tuesday, October 8  
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM  
JMI Building, 111 S. Monroe St.   
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-resilience-capital-planning-unlock-the-power-of-cra-funding-tickets-1010799447357  

How to do Business with Educational Entities Workshop and Networking  
Wednesday, October 9  
8:30 AM – 1:00 PM  
FSU Turnbull Conference Center Room 114   
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1020713089327?aff=oddtdtcreator  

How to do Business with Healthcare Facilities Workshop and Networking  
Thursday, October 10
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
FSU Turnbull Conference Center Room 114
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1020715205657?aff=oddtdtcreator  

Awards Celebration:  

Business Awards Recognition Celebration
Thursday, October 10  
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM  
FSU Turnbull Conference Center, Room 108  
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1016932902687?aff=oddtdtcreator 

MED Week Awardees:

Reggie L. Rolle Economic Development Champion of the Year
Brenda Williams
Tallahassee Housing Authority

Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) of the Year
Taroon “Tony” and Sameera Shah
Express Printing and Copying

Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) of the Year
Linda Hunkiar
Bannerman Landscape

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