The Nashville Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week) closed with education and elegance. The Dr. R.H. Boyd Minority Business Awards Gala Program was the well deserved focal point. Guests and special guests filled the conference room at Lowes Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel.
The well organized program kicked off with Councilwoman At Large Erica Gilmore. A warm welcome was given by Latrisha Jemison, senior vice president of Regions Bank. Dr. R. H. Boyd, president/CEO of the historic Boyd Publishing Company received the Minority Business Achievement Award. LaDonna Y. Boyd, MBA, Chief Operating Officer helped the program flow smoothly with her introductions.
Media mogul Howard C. Young III proudly accepted the Minority Business of the Year Award, for his impacting Internet radio station, ‘Yes Lord Radio’ (YLR). Elder Young recently founded a non-profit organization entitled the Howard Young III Foundation. Francis S. Guess (June 14, 1946-July 23, 2015) was posthumously awarded the Minority Business Advocate Award. His daughter and mother accepted the award on his behalf. Guess was a well known Nashville trailblazer and champion of civil rights. During the acknowledgement and closing remarks segment, Marilyn Robinson, executive director of Nashville Minority Business Center was highly praised and acknowledged for her years of tireless service—both to the community and minority businesses as a whole.
Robinson had a dynamic committee working with her for the entire week, including Ashley Northington, the director at Denor Brands & Publications. After all was said and done at the gala, an exclusive five star, three course meal was served at Ruth Chris Steakhouse, complete with the jazzy sounds of Sonja Porter Hopkins’ vocal treats. Many Nashville’s businesses and companies were present or represented. It was an impacting and powerful week of education, networking and useful seminars.
The service and success of the R.H. Boyd Publishing Company spans over four generations, since 1946. The company is recognized nationwide and beyond for their Christian education publications and materials. Currently under the staunch leadership of Dr. R. H. Boyd and family, their success and service to the community has increased.
Everything from Sunday school materials, hymnals and miscellaneous needs like greeting cards are available. The foundation also offers a well rounded catalog that provides an array of choices for their clients. The R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation is a committed religious organization that has shared the word of God across the world for over 100 years.
MED Week was also a rousing success with the involvement of the Nashville Minority Business Center. The ‘Helping to Create Economic Independence for Minorities’ motto practically says it all for the organization. This year’s MED Week was so successful and will be remembered for some time to come. Many businesses and organizations will surely be on the lookout for MED Week 2016.
Visit the website at www.minoritybusinesscenter.com.
