Little Rock Chamber Kicks Off Annual Minority Enterprise Development Week

The Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 33nd Annual Minority Enterprise Development (MED) kicked off on Monday with the annual Business Opportunity Brunch, which featured a panel of local business owners and executives discussing their own challenges, successes and failures.

The weeklong slate of MED activities focuses on celebrating and growing minority businesses in Central Arkansas, offering events ranging from the Business Boot Camps and 1 Million Cups to the Rock City Bus Tour and Cocktail Reception and annual MED Awards luncheon.

MED Week officially ends on Monday, Sept. 21, with the Annual Regional Minority Business Awards Luncheon at Philander Smith College. Brinkley native Al Bell, former chairman and owner of Stax Records, will be the keynote speaker.

Below is a schedule of events for the Chamber’s MED Week of activities:

Tuesday, Sept. 15
MED Week Prestame: A Conversation About Preparing For A Business, Little Rock Chamber, 200 E. Markham St., 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 16
MED Week Special Edition One Million Cups, The Venture Center, 107 East Markham St., 9:00 a.m. – 10 a.m.

MED Week Legends of Tomorrow Pitch contest, Venture Center, 107 East Markham St., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

MED Week Community Redevelopment panel discussion, J. A. Riggs Tractor Co., 9125 Interstate 30, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday, Sept 17
MED Week: Introduction to Government Contracting, Little Rock Chamber, 200 E. Markham St., 10 a.m. to 11: 30 a.m.

MED Week Rock City Bus Tour, Little Rock Chamber, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Med Week Reception, Little Rock Chamber, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 18
MED Week: Expanding Businesses, Little Rock Chamber, 200 East Markham St., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

MED Week: Legends of Tomorrow Elevator Pitch Contest, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, 201 East Broadway, North Little Rock.

Friday, Sept. 19
MED Week: Legends of Tomorrow Elevator Pitch Competition Exhibition, Riverfront Park and First Security Amphitheater, 202 La Harpe Blvd.

Monday, Sept 21
MED Week Minority Business Awards Luncheon, Philander Smith College, 900 Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive

Most of the MED events are free and require registration, except the award luncheon. For more information about all or one of the events, including award nomination information, contact Chauncey Holloman at 1-501-563-2089.