N.C. Institute Of Minority Economic Development Celebrates 25 Years Of Promoting Small, Minority And Women-Owned Businesses

DURHAM, N.C., June 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A procession of prominent leaders in business, government, education, and legislative advocacy roles will convene to celebrate milestones and advancements gained through the work of the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development over the past 25 years, during this year's annual Executive Networking Conference. The conference will be held at Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C., June 21-23, and the theme is "25 Years of Leadership, Advocacy and Growth."

A highlight of the conference begins with a special focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities as businesses and introduces discussions about the current state, future, and survival of HBCUs, and opportunities for small, minority and women-owned businesses to work with the schools.

The NCIMED Executive Networking Conference will attract several hundred small businesses, as well as women and minority business owners, corporate purchasers, supplier diversity leaders, and representatives of higher education, government, and nonprofit leaders. Conference keynote speakers include: John Silvanus Wilson, Director for the White House Initiative of HBCUs; Dr. Marybeth Gasman, University of Pennsylvania Professor; Dr. Johnnetta Cole, Director of the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institute; Judge Glenda Hatchett; Luke Visconti, Publisher and CEO of DiversityInc. Magazine; Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes III, Pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church; Maggie Anderson, Conscious Consumerism Advocate; and Christopher Gergen, Social Entrepreneur.

The Executive Networking Conference also honors significant contributions to the business community by corporate, private sector, and community-based individuals during the first evening's Willie Deese CEO dinner. Deese is Executive Vice President and President of Merck Manufacturing Division. Other aspects of the conference include numerous speakers, panels, and workshops about the current state of the economy and the competitive intelligence needed to be successful in business. Joseph Smith, president of the Office of Mortgage Foreclosure Settlement, is scheduled to speak to attendees about the $25 billion foreclosure settlement fund that will be monitored nationally from North Carolina, and futurist Dr. Nat Irvin of the University of Louisville will present on jobs and economic opportunities moving forward.

Andrea Harris, president of the Institute, said, "For 25 years, the Institute has hosted the Executive Networking Conference and brought together corporate leaders, supplier diversity professionals, and businesses for the purpose of doing business and doing good."

SOURCE N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development