FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

LOUISVILLE, KY, November 23, 1999 – Louisville’s biggest celebration devoted to spotlighting minority business enterprises took place Wednesday, November 17^th in the Medallion Ballroom of the Seelbach Hilton as the Kentuckiana Minority Supplier Development Council "KMSDC" held its annual Minority Enterprise Development Awards "MED Awards" Ceremony. "The event represents the Kentucky portion of a month-long celebration honoring outstanding minority entrepreneurs and advocates of minority business in cities all over the country, culminating in a national celebration to be held at the White House later this year" said Michael Bateman, KMSDC President & CEO.

Internationally acclaimed keynote speaker Dr. Therman E. Evans, founder and CEO of WHOLELIFE Associates, Inc. was the speaker for the event. The former Vice-President and Corporate Medical Director of the CIGNA Corporation (one of the largest health care organizations in the United States) showed the 500+ Louisville crowd why he has been heralded as "Mr. Inspiration" and "America’s Most Inspirational Speaker".

Arthur L. Gleason, President & CEO of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation was this year’s Honorary Chairman of the event. And Gerald H. Wilkie, Vice President of Pharmacy & Materials Management of Norton Healthcare was the Chairman of the event. They, along with the City of Louisville are specific sponsors of this year’s awards ceremony.

The MED Awards committee was comprised of representatives from state and city government agencies as well as local and national corporations, small and minority businesses and financial institutions. The committee distributed nominating petitions to over 30 corporate and minority businesses statewide. Out of an extensive competitive evaluation process, winners are selected for the coveted awards. The awards criteria are:

The top private purchaser award is the Corporate Leadership Award of Excellence, the most prestigious award, presented to a dues-paying, corporate member of KMSDC and NMSDC that exhibits a strong commitment to minority business development. The outstanding government or non-profit organization receives the Kentuckiana Purchaser of the Year Award. The Keystone Award is given to a company that has aggressively implemented a program aimed at hiring minority businesses.

Outstanding minority companies are recognized by categories determined by annual sales. Those categories are the Class I Award, given to a business with annual sales less than $1 million; the Class II Award, given to a business with annual sales of $1 to $5 million; and the Class III Award given to a business with annual sales greater than $5 million. In addition, the Zenith Award and the Phoenix Award are presented to the most distinguished and the most improved minority firms, respectively. The only award given to an individual is the Impact Award, which is given to recognize the individual who has significantly contributed to minority business development for their employer.

"Each year, we endeavor to recognize and applaud those companies that have truly made significant strides in the development of minority businesses within our service area," said KMSDC president Bateman. "And with 1999 being ‘The Year of KMSDC,’ we are particularly proud to show appreciation to the corporations and minority businesses that support KMSDC’s efforts."

Throughout the year, a special group of corporate and minority business sponsors have supported all KMSDC’s major events. They are the KMSDC’s 25^th Anniversary sponsors. They helped to make this year’s conference the biggest and best ever. They are as follows:

Assistance in distribution of the Awards came from the beautiful Miss Teen Kentucky ‘98-99, Monica Hardin.

This year’s entertainment was provided by O’Bossa, produced by Caliente Productions, "Louisville’s only connection to Latin American Arts & Entertainment," under the direction of Carletta DeLonjay, President. The group featured live bossonova dance performances, salsa & mambo music. However, it was the professional premiere of Diane Ousley, a local   t a l e n t (in the true sense of the word) that brought the crowd of approximately 500 to their feet with her riveting performance of Oleta Adams’ smash hit, "Get Here". She sang at the conclusion of the ceremony. Just a few days prior to that, Ms. Ousley w o w e d the Louisville Defender Expo crowd at the Commonwealth Convention Center in their annual talent competition, where she placed third. After that, KMSDC guests were wined and dined, compliments of sponsor Brown-Forman Corporation, with a Champagne Toast and Dessert Reception in the Medallion Ballroom Foyer. This event as well as others held throughout this year shows why 1999 is, without a doubt, "The Year of KMSDC."

MED WEEK was created by Presidential Proclamation in 1983 and has become a highly anticipated annual event. MED WEEK award recipients, who are selected on a national level, are honored during a White House Ceremony that has been attended in the past by the President, the Secretary of Commerce and other high placed officials.

KMSDC is one of 41 regional affiliate councils of the National Minority Supplier Development Council "NMSDC" and the only private agency exclusively certifying minority-owned businesses in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KMSDC is in its 26^th year of service.

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