Durham Celebrates MED Week 2024 October 14-18

Minority and women-owned business owners will have a chance in October to learn how to connect their businesses with more opportunities during Durham's 2024 Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week.

The City of Durham and Durham County Government, in partnership with multiple community, state, and local businesses, will observe Solidifying Your Next - Durham MED Week 2024 from October 14-18. Each year, MED Week celebrates the accomplishments of minority business enterprises and honors those corporations and financial institutions supporting minority business development.

The year's week-long observance is designed to help Durham minority entrepreneurs and business professionals network, gain insights, and advance their businesses. Starting on Monday, October 14, attendees will join industry experts and thought leaders to help foster their growth and innovation through a lineup of workshops, networking events, and a lunch-and-learn. The deadline to register to attend any of the following free events is October 3.

• Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Certification Day: Monday, October 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the City of Durham Water Management Department Training Rooms C & D, 1600 Mist Lake Dr. The North Carolina Department of Administration's Office of Historically Underutilized Business will help attendees navigate their HUB Certification process.
• Business Fair: Tuesday, October 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Durham Armory, 212 Foster St. This fair is designed to connect minority- and women-owned businesses with companies that have subcontracting and small business opportunities. Attendees will learn more about the prequalification process and opportunities in the construction industry.
• Support a Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Day: Wednesday, October 16. Durham community members are encouraged to support black-owned businesses and women-owned businesses.
• Keynote and Luncheon: Thursday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Durham Convention Center, 301 W. Morgan St. This event will feature a keynote address from The Kars Group Chief Change Officer and President Keisha Rivers. The keynote address will be followed by a luncheon that will provide opportunities for networking with other attendees, connecting with industry professionals, and engaging in meaningful conversations about MWBE advancement in Durham.

Durham's local observance of MED Week 2024 is a collaborative effort by the City of Durham Finance Department Underutilized Business Compliance Division, Durham County Supplier Diversity Program, N.C. Department of Administration Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses, and other sponsors.