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Durham Celebrates 2017 MED Week October 2-6

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Durham, NC – During the 2017 Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Durham business owners will get their chance next month to learn how to connect their business with more opportunities.

The City of Durham, in partnership with multiple community, state and local businesses, will observe 2017 MED Week from October 2-6. MED Week celebrates the achievements of minority entrepreneurs and affirms government, business and community organizations’ commitment to the principle of equal opportunity. 

Special events for this year’s celebration include an honors breakfast; a seminar focusing on new projects coming to Durham; a business fair; and MED Week Golf Day. This year’s theme is “Minority & Women Businesses: Fueling Economic Growth.” The deadline to register to attend any of the events is Friday, September 29.

  • Meet the Developers of Durham Projects: Monday, October 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hilton Durham near Duke University, 3800 Hillsborough Rd. The cost is free, but registration is requested.
  • MED Week Honors Breakfast: Tuesday, October 3, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Cotton Room, Building 6, Golden Belt, 807 E. Main St. The cost is $30 per person and registration is required. The keynote speaker is the Demo Diva Simone Bruni Crouere. Featured on the television program, Blue Collar Millionaire, Crouere will tell her story of having no experience in the construction industry. But Hurricane Katrina led her to toss off her high heels for steel-tip boots and enter the demolition business. 
  • Minorities Who Give Back: A Look at Service Through Education: Wednesday, October 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Self-Help, 302 W. Main St. The cost is free, but registration is requested.
  • MED Week Business Fair: Thursday, October 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Durham Armory, 220 Foster St. The cost for attendance is free, though there is a small fee for vendor space. Registration is requested.
  • MED Week Golf Day: Friday, October 7 at 8:30 a.m. at Falls Village Golf Club, 115 Falls Village Dr. Golfer’s Cost is $45 per person and includes food, green fee, and cart; Golf Clinic is $20 per person. Registration for is required.

Durham’s local observance is a collaborative effort including the City of Durham Equal Opportunity and Equity Assurance Department, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Skanska USA Building, Inc., Durham County Government, N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development, Duke University, Duke Health, Balfour Beatty Construction, Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce, Derwood Plummer and Thomas, Le Chase Construction, Gilbane, and others.

Any person with a disability may receive an auxiliary aid or service to effectively participate in these events by contacting the City’s ADA Coordinator at (919) 560-4197 or by email as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the event. For more information about Durham’s 2017 MED Week observance, contact Director Deborah Giles with the City’s Equal Opportunity and Equity Assurance Department at (919) 560-4180 or by email.

About the Equal Opportunity and Equity Assurance Department

The City of Durham’s Equal Opportunity and Equity Assurance Department is responsible for the implementation of the City’s Equal Business Opportunity Program. Responsibilities include implementation of race and gender neutral measures to facilitate the participation of Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (SDBE) in City contracting activity, recruitment, certification, and maintenance of SDBE data bank, business development, City project compliance, monitoring, and reporting. Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the department ensures that its services support making Durham a great place to live, work, and play by focusing on a strong and diverse economy, assuring that City is an innovative and high-performing organization, and supporting the stewardship of the City’s physical and environmental assets.