Supporting the National Minority Business Development Agency and recognizing October 1 through October 5, 2018 as Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, which provides critical information, resources, opportunities and inspiration to the minority business community.

WHEREAS, Since 1983, the U.S. President has proclaimed a National MED (Minority Enterprise Development) Week observance to recognize the outstanding achievements of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and to honor those corporations and financial institutions that support minority business development. Annual regional conferences and activities are organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Government Contracting and Business Development; and

WHEREAS, The MED Week celebration was started locally in Philadelphia in 1984 to honor and promote minority owned businesses in the Philadelphia Area. The organizers of the first MED Week activities were Barbara Daniel Cox, former Director of Mayor Wilson Goode's Women’s Commission and Bilal Abdul Qayyum, then Assistant Deputy Director of the City Commerce Department; and

WHEREAS, The 34th Anniversary of Philadelphia MED Week is sponsored by corporations, local colleges, universities and hospitals, local and regional government agencies and organizations that are committed to supporting opportunities for minority businesses; including co-chairs: the African American Chamber of Commerce, Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department, and the MBDA Business Center of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, It is during MED Week that the City of Philadelphia also recognizes the critical role of OEO Officers in assisting Departments in meeting their broad responsibilities for developing policies, programs, practices and strategies to achieve its goals regarding M/W/DSBE participation on City contracts; and

WHEREAS, Small businesses in Philadelphia and across the country are the cornerstone of economic growth, creating two-thirds of net new jobs in the country and comprising 50% of America’s employment; and

WHEREAS, The sources of capital, technical resources, and contracting opportunities are essential to the development, growth, and prosperity of minority businesses and MED Week will host some of the most prominent contracting organizations and resource providers that stand for the success of the small business community; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia MED Week has grown exponentially since its inception and this year includes over 40 sponsors offering more than 30 workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities across the region including: “City of Philadelphia Open for Business Expo,” “Minority Venture Capital Forum,” “Launch Your Digital Marketing Strategy,” “Doing Business with the Philadelphia Gas Company,” “PHL Airport 2018 Annual Business Opportunity Forum,” and “Lighting the Torch,” and many more; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby supports the National Minority Business Development Agency and recognizes October 1 through October 5, 2018 as Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, which provides critical information, resources, opportunities and inspiration to the minority business community.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia MED Week Committee as evidence of the strong support and sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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