From the Director | Service & Recognition | |
This month we are honoring Service and Celebrating Excellence in Manufacturing. As Veterans Day approaches, we are reminded of the dedication and sacrifices made by the brave men and women who serve our country. Their commitment extends beyond the battlefield, often translating into impactful roles within the manufacturing sector. Veterans bring a sense of discipline, resilience, and a unique skill set that strengthens the manufacturing industry. Their contributions are vital in driving innovation, upholding quality standards, and supporting American industry. | |
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We are also in the midst of an exciting season of awards and recognition ceremonies within our industry. This fall, the spirit of service and achievement is being celebrated at a number of key events, honoring those who lead, inspire, and excel in manufacturing.
First, a hearty congratulations to Antoine Hutchinson and the Fabpro Technologies team for receiving the U.S. Department of Commerce National MBDA MED Week Award! This recognition is a testament to their hard work and dedication to excellence. MED Week (Minority Enterprise Development Week) serves as a platform to honor outstanding minority entrepreneurs and their contributions to business and industry.
In addition to center client Fabpro, we also want to acknowledge Zeferino Banda Jr. and his team at Banda Group International, LLC. The company, headquartered in Arizona, is the recipient of the MED Week 2024 Minority Veteran Owned Firm of the Year Award.
In addition to MED Week, there is a full calendar of events highlighting the impact and achievements of individuals in our field:
• NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Development Council): In collaboration with MED Week, this national conference celebrated diversity in supply chains and recognized those working to create opportunities for minority-owned businesses. I was inspired by the commitment to diversity by many of the nation’s largest corporations.
• Minority Made to Wear: Our team hosted this unique event showcasing innovative products and services from minority manufacturers, emphasizing creativity, quality, and craftsmanship. The show featured our clients and students from Morgan State University. Highlights of the event are included in this edition of our newsletter.
• Virginia’s Manufacturing Gala: This event will be held on November 8th and will highlight the achievements of Virginia manufacturing leaders and provide a platform for networking, innovation, and best practices. You can learn more about the Virginia Manufacturing Gala - VMA | Virginia Manufacturers Association.
• Regional Manufacturing Institute & Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership: On November 14th we will join RMI and the Maryland MEP for the 2024 Maryland Manufacturing Celebration of Stars. The Center is a Program Partner for this celebration, which recognizes “Maryland Manufacturing Stars” – people who work in business, education, government, or nonprofits who have made meaningful contributions to Maryland's manufacturing industry.
• Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council: The 39th Annual Leaders and Legends Awards (2024 Leaders & Legends Celebration – Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council | CRMSDC) will be held on November 19th at the MGM National Harbor in Prince George's County, Maryland.
At each of these events, we celebrate the strength and resilience of those who contribute to our industry in meaningful ways. Recognizing their accomplishments reminds us that manufacturing is more than production; it is about leadership, dedication, and building a brighter future together.
Let us take a moment to honor the veterans among us, and to celebrate the remarkable achievements of those making strides in manufacturing. Thank you all for your service, commitment, and drive to excel.
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N. Scott Phillips
Director
Baltimore MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center
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In Atlanta | MBDA MED Week &
NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange
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The MBDA National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week and National Minority Supplier Diversity Council (NMSDC) Annual Conference & Exchange took place October 20-23, 2024, in Atlanta, bringing together leaders committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the business community.
A standout moment of the event was the recognition of esteemed Baltimore MBDA AMC client Antoine Hutchinson of Fabpro Technologies, who received the MED Week Minority Manufacturing Firm of the Year Award. This honor reflects Fabpro Technologies' dedication to excellence and innovation in the manufacturing sector, highlighting the vital role minority enterprises play in driving economic growth.
For more than fifty years, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency has been instrumental in supporting the expansion of minority business enterprises, which now number more than 10 million across the nation. The National MED Week Awards celebrated the exceptional achievements of entrepreneurs and organizations making a significant impact within underrepresented communities.
As Eric Morrissette, MBDA Acting Under Secretary, remarked, “The National MED Week Awards are a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of business leaders and trailblazers that are driving progress and inspiring future generations.”
Looking ahead, you are invited to continue this journey with MBDA toward an ambitious goal of achieving $1 trillion in NMSDC-certified MBE annual revenue by 2030.
The events encouraged attendees from across the country to unite to share their experiences and shape a brighter future for minority business enterprise, thanking everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s forums and for ongoing commitment to meaningful change!
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MED WEEK AWARD WINNERS
The National MED Week Awards are the highest level of national recognition that a U.S. minority business enterprise can receive from the Department of Commerce. These prestigious awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of minority business enterprises, as well as the individuals and organizations that have demonstrated their commitment to advancing minority business enterprises.
Pictured, top to bottom, this year's award winners, 2024 MED Week theme; Baltimore MBDA AMC Project Director N. Scott Philips, Manufacturer of the Year Winner Antoine Hutchinson of Fabpro Technologies; and Don Craves, Deputy secretary U.S. Department of Commerce
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2024 MED Week Award Winners
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Baltimore MBDA AMC Showcases
Minority Made to Wear
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On October 17th, the American Visionary Art Museum transformed into a vibrant celebration of diversity and empowerment at the Minority Made To Wear Runway Show. The event was a remarkable showcase of talent, where minority-made products from across wearable industry sectors took center stage, highlighting the creativity and innovation of our community.
Presented by the Mid-Atlantic Region Minority Business Development Agency Advanced Manufacturing Center, the Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development, and MiHUB, this unique event brought together industry stakeholders for an evening of forward progress. Attendees enjoyed a Thursday Night Football-themed atmosphere, proudly donning their favorite NFL team colors while engaging in meaningful networking and business development.
The participation of Center clients as exhibitors and product models, named in this issue of Connections Client Highlights, below, literally "made" this year's Center cornerstone event. A special thank you goes to sponsors, the Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland, TEDCO, the Maryland Department of Commerce, MMG, and Strategic Factory, whose support was instrumental in bringing this vision to life.
The invaluable contributions of the associates and attendees also made the evening memorable, with sincere appreciation extended to Morgan State University students and affiliates for showcasing their talent as runway models for the show's diverse line of minority-made products.
The event celebrated the spirit of innovation and collaboration within our community and thanked the evening's participants for being a vital part of the MBDA's extended family.
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Special guests Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Maryland Office of the Secretary of State Special Assistant for Intergovernmental Relations Alexandria Liu are pictured with Baltimore MBDA AMC Director and runway show commentator Scott Phillips. |
Special Secretary Maria Martinez (center) and Baltimore MBDA AMC Director Scott Phillips (front, left) are captured here with a group of models from the event depicting the enthusiasm of the evening. | |
Runway show co-commentator Tameka Harris and National MBDA Acting Chief Operating Officer Donald Smith cheer the audience on from the podium. |
Christopher Lundy, Director of the Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development (Center Operator) talks with Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland President and Center Strategic Partner Michael Galiazzo and an event guest. | |
Center clients Saundra and Michael Lamb of Semforex, Inc., who manufacture protective garments are accompanied by Aalliyeh Clinton of Monneah's Engineered Materials | |
Elizabeth Clayborne of NasaClip and her team were among the exhibitors, including others featured below in this issue's Client Highlights. | |
Fashions by DIFFERENTREGARD | |
Facial Masque by Roshé Cosmetics | |
Optical See-through Augmented Reality Eyewear Device by Juxtopia | |
Minority Made to Wear, a "Totally, Technically, Outside of the Box Runway Show," showcased a spectrum of wearables, from apparel to personal care and technology enhanced products. | |
Leaders & Legends
Awards Nominations & Ceremony
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The Capital Region Supplier Diversity Council's (CRMSDC’s) Annual Leaders & Legends Awards Ceremony recognizes those enterprising minority entrepreneurs, corporations and government entities that have made courageous decisions in the support and development of supplier diversity and inclusion programs.
The Top 100 MBE awards recognizes enterprising minority business owners who are living their dreams and making significant contributions to their clients, professions, industries and communities. Their stories are real and their contributions are inspiring.
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RMI – MD MEP Feature Stars Stories
Plus Gala Celebration
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The Baltimore MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center is a Program Partner for the 2024 Maryland Manufacturing Celebration of Stars. Join us as Center clients and colleagues are recognized at this Maryland manufacturing industry event of the year, hosted by the Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland (RMI) and Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP). The stories of these exemplary Marylanders are currently featured in the Directory of Stars and will be celebrated at the Stars Celebration dinner to be held the evening of November 14, 2024, at Martin's West in Baltimore County.
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MARYLAND MANUFACTURING STARS | CLIENTS | |
MARYLAND MANUFACTURING STARS | ASSOCIATES | |
Reginald Mack, Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Small & Minority Business Advocacy & Development - Center Operator | |
Mark Lawrence, Manufacturing Innovation Hub Cooperative (MiHUB) | |
Josh Barnes, Harbor Designs & Manufacturing | |
MARYLAND MANUFACTURING STARS | CENTER TEAM | |
The celebration recognizes “Maryland Manufacturing Stars” – people who work in business, education, government, or nonprofits who have made meaningful contributions to Maryland’s manufacturing industry. | |
...By Partnering Organizations & Friends! | |
MBDA AMC CLIENT HIGHLIGHTS | |
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO CENTER CLIENTS FOR THEIR MINORITY MADE TO WEAR EVENT PARTICIPATION | |
We are incredibly grateful to our clients, whose unwavering support was pivotal in making the Minority Made Wear Event a resounding success. We invite you to click and enjoy the short highlights showcasing our clients’ remarkable products gracing the runway.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to each and every client who participated. We encourage everyone to explore and support their businesses, as they are the heartbeat of our community.
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Deepest appreciation to our client and guest exhibitors, who inspire us and keep our mission alive. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. | |
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OCTOBER IS MANUFACTURING MONTH
Mid-Atlantic Region Specialized Manufacturing Industry Training | Manufacturing Extension Partnership Network | Find Out What MEPs are doing in the Mid-Atlantic Region and Around the Country | Learn More
2024 T.I.P.S. Small Business Business Webinar Series | Twice Monthly thru December, 2024 | Maryland Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs | Virtual | Learn More
Virginia Manufacturing Gala | Virginia Manufacturers Association | November 8, 2024 | Register
Maryland Manufacturing Celebration of Stars | RMI of Maryland & MD MEP | November 14, 2024 | Details
39th Annual Leaders & Legends Awards Ceremony | CRMSDC | November 19, 2024 | Sneak Preview
TechTrends 2025 | SMART | April 3-4, 2025 | Atlantic City, NJ | Drive for Data Across America | Spring 2025 | Read More
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PLUS | Visit Baltimore City SourceLink
Events, services, resources, more for small businesses operating in Baltimore City.
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SourceLink is hosted by our Center's operator, the Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Small & Minority Business Advocacy & Development. | |
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NATIONAL, REGIONAL & STATE
COVID-19 NOTICE, RESOURCE, SERVICE LINKS
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