Officials on Wednesday marked the lead-up
to
Cape Fear Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, scheduled for Oct. 7 to 15.
Cape Fear MED Week's website describes it as "an iconic event within the business community, fostering connections, promoting diversity and highlighting entrepreneurial minority achievement and its champions." The local event started about 10 years ago and has grown over the past decade with more organizations and participants.
"The very fact that we did the kickoff today in Brunswick County just shows how we're able to collaborate with other counties because this is regional," said Linda Thompson, New Hanover County's chief diversity and equity officer.
Thompson was referring to the kickoff press conference held Wednesday morning at MED Week sponsor WWAY TV3's headquarters in Leland. New Hanover County is another of Cape Fear MED Week's sponsors, along with Brunswick Community College, the city of Wilmington and others.
"Cape Fear MED Week is more than just a series of events – it's a celebration of the diversity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that enrich our community. Minority and women-owned businesses are vital to the economic health and cultural fabric of New Hanover County. They bring fresh ideas, create jobs and contribute to the vibrancy that makes our region unique," wrote Rob Zapple, New Hanover County commissioner, who made the remarks during the WWAY news conference.
"Supporting these businesses isn't just the right thing to do; it's essential for the sustained growth and prosperity of our community. When we empower minority and women entrepreneurs, we foster an inclusive economy that benefits everyone," he wrote.
Minority Enterprise Development Week was created by presidential proclamation in 1983.
The local week starts at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at The Terraces on Sir Tyler with a breakfast featuring April Patrick, founder and CEO of Hero Staffing. The breakfast is free but attendees must
sign up for tickets online.
"She's going to talk about her medical staffing company, how she's really been fortunate, despite whatever challenges she faced, to get this successful company off the ground," Thompson said.
Many of the rest of the week's events are listed below.
Thompson said Cape Fear MED Week gives underrepresented individuals and minority- and women-owned businesses a voice, "and they can find a place at the table now to compete competitively for contracts, to put their businesses in the marketplace and get the resources they need to be successful."
