L.A. businesses honored for leadership in minority entrepreneurship
WHAT: More than 150 small businesses from Los Angeles County will honor successful minority-owned businesses during the 13th Annual Minority Enterprise Development Week Awards Luncheon. The event is sponsored by Los Angeles Minority Business Enterprise Center, which is operated by the USC Business Expansion Network and funded through the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency.
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, August 6.
WHERE: USC Galen Center, 3400 S. Figueroa St. Parking in Structure 2, which can be entered from Figueroa south of McCarthy Way. Media with credentials can park for free.
WHO: • Minority Business Manufacturer of the Year — International Engineering Products and Consulting Corporation. After consulting with USC business school students, president Ron Flores changed his business plan on his way to forming a joint venture, gaining international distribution and securing a marketing contract worth millions.
• Minority Business Media/Public Relations Firm of the Year — H&M/Think Latina. The leading Hispanic entertainment and sports marketing agency today, H&M boasts the industry’s largest and most experienced team exclusively dedicated to U.S. Hispanic marketing and public relations with 28 full-time multilingual and bicultural experts in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Houston and Chicago.
• Minority Business Advocate of the Year – Kay Song, vice president of International Marketing at Vnesto Capital, and former senior advisor to L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former USC associate vice president for Civic and Community Relations.
• Minority Access to Capital Lender of the Year – USC Credit Union. Funded loans for minority start up businesses during the recession.
• Minority Service Firm of the Year – Taylors Marketing &Management
• Minority Green Technology Firm of the Year – Avatar Solar Industries.
MORE: The awards are one of several events that provide resources for minority and small businesses that is coordinated by L.A.MBEC, winner of the 2010 Regional Top Achievement Award.
“These are tough times for everyone — especially businesses,” said Sergio Gascon, executive director of L.A.MBEC. “This is why we are proud to highlight businesses that have used best practices to weather the economy and continue to grow.”
According to Gascon, since 1996, more than 1,200 local minority business enterprises have secured almost $140 million in finance and procurement contracts through L.A.MBEC and its predecessor organizations.
Contact: Scarlet Timphony at (213) 743-1996 or timphony@usc.edu.
Norma Bernal at (213) 743-1996 or nbernal@usc.edu
