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MBDA Recognizes Two Additional Honorees during the 2014 MED Week Conference

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The Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) signature event is right around the corner. The 2014 National MED Week Conference will be held July 31 to Aug. 1 at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The yearly conference features opportunities for minority businesses to engage and connect with numerous subject-matter experts in the private and public sectors. One of the featured events during the conference is the MED Week Awards Luncheon.

“This year’s MED Week awardees exemplify growth, diversity and transformation, and are true champions for the minority business community,” said Alejandra Y. Castillo, MBDA National Director. “We’re very proud of their tremendous achievements in helping grow the national economy through innovation, job and wealth creation.”

In addition to this year’s 13 MED Week Award winners, MBDA will honor two individuals with a National Director’s Special Recognition and a Pioneer’s Recognition.

National Director’s Special Recognition
Bill Imada

The National Director’s Special Recognition will be given to Bill Imada. Imada is the founder, chairman and chief collaboration officer of IW Group, Inc., a national multicultural marketing, advertising and public relations firm based in California. Imada’s work in the minority business community has earned recognitions from President Barack Obama, as well as from many regional minority community leaders. Imada’s honors and awards with the minority business community are not what earn him this recognition. It’s his work as a communicator, covering a wide array of multicultural topics spanning from supplier diversity to greater opportunities for women and minorities in corporate America, that herald him as a true champion of the minority business community.

Bill Imada

 

A Pioneer’s Recognition
Frank Venegas, Jr.

A Pioneer’s Recognition will be given to Frank Venegas, Jr. Venegas, a Detroit entrepreneur who turned a winning raffle ticket and the proceeds of a new 1979 Cadillac into Ideal Group, Inc., a family-owned business that has evolved into several nationally recognized companies with revenues approaching $250 million. Venegas, Jr.’s early commitment to the minority business community has earned his company and himself tremendous recognition. General Motors (GM) awarded Ideal with the Global Supplier of the Year award, its tenth honor from GM. And, the government of Mexico recognized Venegas, Jr. with its Ohtli Award, its highest honor awarded to a foreign citizen for his advocacy, mentoring and philanthropic contributions. Venegas, Jr.’s achievements illustrate the company’s motto: “take care of your community and your community will take care of you.”

 Frank Venegas, Jr.

So, help us honor these two champions of the minority business community by attending the 2014 National MED Week Conference.

Posted at 4:44 AM

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