Dear Friend,

Since 1983, every U.S. President — Republican and Democrat alike — has recognized Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week to celebrate the vital role minority-owned businesses play in strengthening our nation’s economy. MED Week was established by President Ronald Reagan to highlight the contributions of minority entrepreneurs and to promote policies that expand opportunity, foster innovation, and strengthen our local communities.

Today, that mission continues — and it’s more important than ever.

A minority-owned business is one that is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by individuals who identify as part of a racial, ethnic, or cultural minority group or others found to be disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration. Across Tennessee, these businesses not only provide jobs and drive innovation, but they also serve as anchors in neighborhoods and small towns alike, helping ensure our economic growth reaches every community.

Despite recent conversations suggesting that “diversity, equity, and inclusion” programs are ending, the truth is that supporting small and minority-owned businesses has always been a bipartisan priority. It’s not about ideology — it’s about investment, innovation, and inclusion. It’s about ensuring that every entrepreneur, regardless of background, has a fair shot to contribute to Tennessee’s prosperity.

That’s why I’m proud to host the Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Tennessee 2025: Contracting Summit — a day devoted to helping businesses move from readiness to awards by connecting them with real opportunities in contracting, capital, and workforce development.

This statewide event brings together partners from across sectors who share one goal: growing opportunity for all Tennesseans.

Our 2025 Partners & Presenters include:

- Tennessee Governor’s Office of Business Initiatives and Development (GO-BID, formerly Go-DBE)
- Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
- Tennessee Secretary of State
- Amazon
- Pathway Lending
- Regions Bank
- Urban League of Middle Tennessee
- Darrell S. Freeman Innovation & Incubation Center
- Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce
- Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Tennessee Pride Chamber
- Nashville Black Hospitality Group

Together, we’re demonstrating that when we open doors for one, we open doors for all. Supporting minority-owned businesses doesn’t divide Tennessee — it strengthens it.

As we prepare for MED Week Tennessee 2025, I invite you to stand with us in reaffirming our shared commitment to equity, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment.

Let’s continue this important work — not because it’s partisan, but because it’s right.

With purpose and partnership,



<www.leaderkarencamper.com/tnmedweek> <[link removed]>Join the Summit! <[link removed]>📅 MED Week Tennessee 2025: Contracting Summit

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 | Tennessee Tower Conference Center, Nashville

Learn more or register: www.LeaderCamper.com/tnmedweek <[link removed]>

#MEDWeekTN #KarenCamper #InclusiveEconomy #MinorityBusiness #SupplierDiversity

<www.leaderkarencamper.com/tnmedweek> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]>Rep. Karen D. Camper, Tennessee House Minority Leader

Paid for and authorized by Friends of Karen Camper; Karen Camper Treasurer

3545 Hazelhedge Dr.; Memphis, TN 38116

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