Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Awards 2024

The Kansas Department of Commerce and the Office of Minority and Women Business Development will hold its annual MED Week Awards on September 6, 2024 in Hugoton at The Wild Sage Ranch.

Minority- and women-owned businesses from across the state will be recognized for their outstanding achievements.

Awards available to minority and women-owned businesses will be in the following categories: construction and manufacturing, young entrepreneur, minority advocate, corporation of the year, minority-owned business of the year, woman-owned business of the year, entrepreneur of the year, innovation, community impact, sustainability, lifetime achievement, innovation in family business, inclusive tourism, tourism partnership, community arts engagement, advancement of underrepresented voices and leadership in media advocacy.

About Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week
MED Week has been celebrated nationally to recognize the more than 9.2 million minority business enterprises that support the U.S. economy and generate over $1.8 trillion in revenue. The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Minority and Women Business Development holds this annual Awards program to recognize economic contributions of woman- and minority-owned businesses and communities around our state.  

Awards are presented to minority and women-owned businesses in the following categories: construction, manufacturing, professional service, retail, service, supplier/distributor, young entrepreneur, business advocate and Corporation of the Year. 

Today, minority- and woman-owned businesses have a major economic impact that translates into the creation and maintenance of jobs. These jobs not only sustain the individual worker, but contribute to the economic security of their families, the economic vitality of their communities and of the nation.  

“Our theme, ‘Heritage to Legacy,’ embodies the journey of Kansas businesses, rooted in tradition and cultural identity, yet paving the way for a thriving and inclusive future,” Office of Minority and Women Business Development Taylor Overton said. “Throughout the evening, we will honor the resilience, innovation and contributions of minority- and women-owned businesses, acknowledging their role in shaping our economy and society.”