Eligibility and Nominations
Who is eligible for an award?
- The Minority Business Enterprises Awards are open to minority business enterprises, as defined by the Minority Business Development Act of 2021.
- The Champions of Minority Business Development Awards eligible nominees include, but are not limited, to business owners, business executives, and representatives of local, state and federal governments or nonprofit organizations, universities, colleges, and tribal entities.
- The Individual Recognition Awards are open to all qualified.
Who may submit nominations for awards?
- Nominations may be submitted by individuals or organizations in any category applicable and may be submitted for more than one award category. Self-nominations are also permitted.
- In addition, nominations may be submitted by MBDA staff or by representatives of MBDA Business Centers.
- However, nominations may not be submitted by members of the headquarters review panels or by MBDA Selecting Officials.
Award Categories and Evaluation Criterion
Nominations should discuss each criterion referenced in the applicable award category below:
Minority Business Enterprises
Minority Construction Firm of the Year
Presented to a minority business enteprise that has achieved outstanding success in private or public construction projects and has exhibited revenue and job growth over a sustained period of time.
• Describe the size, scale and types of construction projects
• Explain revenue growth and number of jobs created/retained over a period of time
• Specify challenges overcome – Technical, commercial, competitive or societal
• Describe economic, environmental or societal contributions
Minority Export Firm of the Year
Presented to a minority business enterprise that has achieved outstanding success in penetrating domestic and global markets.
• Describe how the nominee has penetrated global and domestic markets.
• Explain revenue growth and number of jobs created/retained over a period of time
• Specify challenges overcome - Technical, commercial, or competitive
• Describe economic impact, environmental or societal contributions
Minority Manufacturing Firm of the Year
Presented to a minority business enterprise that has achieved success in employing new and innovative techniques that led to a significant increase in market share, job growth and customer satisfaction.
• Describe techniques utilized and the results achieved
• Explain revenue growth and number of jobs created/retained over a period of time
• Specify challenges overcome - Technical, commercial, competitive or societal
• Describe economic, environmental or societal contributions
Minority Emerging Technology and Industries Firm of the Year
Presented to a minority business enterprise that has achieved outstanding success in high-growth industries through the utilization or the delivery of services based on new technologies.
• Describe new techniques utilized and the results achieved
• Explain revenue growth and number of jobs created/retained over a period of time
• Specify challenges overcome - Technical, commercial, competitive or societal
• Describe economic, environmental or societal contributions
Minority Health Products and Services Firm of the Year
Presented to a minority business enterprise that has improved the quality and delivery of healthcare through innovation.
• Describe the improvements and/or innovations to the quality and delivery of healthcare
• Explain revenue growth and number of jobs created/retained over a period of time
• Specify challenges overcome - Technical, commercial, competitive or societal
• Describe economic, environmental or societal contributions
Minority Marketing and Communication Firm of the Year
Presented to a minority business enterprise who has achieved notable success in the marketing and communication industry by demonstrating creativity and impact.
• Describe creative approaches utilized in campaigns and new marketing tools developed
• Explain revenue growth and number of jobs created/retained over a period of time
• Specify challenges overcome - Technical, commercial, competitive or societal
• Describe economic, environmental or societal contributions
Minority E-Commerce Firm of the Year
Presented to a minority business enterprise that has achieved outstanding success by harnessing the power of
the internet to offer goods and services to other businesses and/or directly to the consumer.
• Describe the firm’s creative approaches to offering and selling goods in the digital space
• Explain revenue growth and number of jobs created/retained over a period of time
• Specify challenges overcome - Technical, commercial, competitive or societal.
• Describe economic, environmental or societal contributions
Minority Veteran-Owned Firm of the Year
Presented to a veteran-owned minority business enterprise that has had achieve success in their industry that has led to a significant increase in job growth and customer satisfaction.
• Describe techniques utilized and the results achieved
• Explain revenue growth and number of jobs created/retained over a period of time
• Specify challenges overcome - Technical, commercial, competitive or societal.
• Describe economic, environmental or societal contributions
Robert J. Brown Minority Business Enterprise of the Year
Presented to a minority business enterprise that has exceeded industry standards and achieved phenomenal business success leading to significant growth and job creation, while showing a commitment to social responsibility and strong community involvement.
• Specify length of time in business
• Explain growth in revenue and number of employees
• Explain current and past financial performance
• Describe innovative techniques utilized and the results achieved
• Specify challenges overcome-Technical, commercial, competitive or societal
• Describe economic, environmental or societal contributions
Champions of Minority Business Development
Access to Capital Award
Presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the financial community by providing traditional and/or alternative working or investment capital to minority business enterprises.
• Documented leadership and advocacy for access to capital
• Specify dollar value of loans or other financial instruments provided to minority business enterprises or individuals
• Highlight unique strategies, tools, and/or approaches to increase money invested in minority business enterprises
• Describe projects implemented as a result of funding
Advocate of the Year
Presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrated significant accomplishment in advocating minority business enterprise as an economic force in the global economy.
• Describe accomplishments related to the nominees’ advocacy efforts
• Highlight specific obstacles, challenges, or issues championed by the advocate
• Specify promotion of MBDA as a significant contributor to the success of MBEs in the global marketplace
• Explain results of the nominees’ advocacy efforts
Distinguished Supplier Diversity Award
Presented to the organization or individual whose business practices have had a significant impact on the growth and development of minority-owned firms.
• Specify increased dollar values of purchases from minority business enterprises over the past five (or more) years
• Explain number and types of companies in the nominee’s supply chain
• Explain number of jobs created
• Describe innovative strategies or notable improvements to the supplier diversity program
Individual Recognitions
The Abe Venable Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement celebrates high standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishment over a sustained period of time. The award is granted to an individual who has played an integral role in the creative, technical or professional progress of minority business development over the course of his/her life.
• Describe the role played by the nominee in the development of minority business enterprise over the past 25 (or more) years
• Describe the organization or programmatic improvements the nominee achieved
• Explain the nominee’s impact on his/her industry
The Ronald H. Brown Leadership Award is inspired by the outstanding leadership of the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Ronald H. Brown. As the first African-American to serve as the Department’s Secretary, he was a staunch advocate for diversity and business expansion. The Award recognizes individuals who have achieved significant results by promoting diversity, expanding minority business enterprise and demonstrating exceptional leadership in the public or private sector.
• Describe the innovations and improvements initiated by the nominee and the results
• Describe the exceptional and effective leadership demonstrated by the nominee
• Explain the extent to which the nominee impacted the global economy
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The information is used by the MBDA to recognize outstanding minority business development activities of national importance and to determine those applicants best meeting the preannounced criteria. No confidentiality for the information submitted is promised or provided except that which is exempt under 5 U.S.C. 522(b)(4) as confidential business information.
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