Md. Washington Minority Companies Association (MWMCA) celebrated its’ 15th Annual Spring Breakfast on Friday morning, May 11, 2018 or as it’s said around here, “the second Friday morning in May.” The tradition started with our first annual event held at Morgan State University’s students center hall, afterwards we moved to The Forum Caterers ballroom and because demand for more space, we moved to Martin’s West Caterers and now, it appears we need more space because demand for ballroom and exhibit space have been overwhelming. Eight hundred fifty ballroom seats were sold; eighty-five exhibit spaces and twenty corporate match making slots were allotted to accommodate 1500 registered guests that pleasurably sought out new opportunities in the DMV region.
Maryland’s Governor Larry Hogan honored as our “Most Inclusive leader for Minority Business Enterprise” celebrated with us and delivered the keynote address, stressing that his administration will continue to be proactive towards policy and procedures to keep deserving minority and women businesses engaged. WBFF-Fox 45 Baltimore evening co-anchor, Jennifer Gilbert served in her fourth-mistress of ceremonies role and did an excellent job keeping the program on time and in order. Ramsey L. Harris, VP at PNC Bank opened the ceremony by introducing Wayne R. Frazier, Sr, President of MWMCA. Thereafter, the Maryland State Police Honor Guard led the salute to our nation and colors. Bishop Dr. Abraham Shanklin, Jr. Founder and President of The Center of Transformation provided the Invocation.
Fred Parker, VP of Regional Contracting Services, LLC spoke on behalf of the firm’s founder and CEO Beverly Thomas. Russell Sadler, Capital Resources Manager for Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), Antonio Villanueva, Principal of Global HVAC, LLC and Harley Flack, President and CEO of Stella May Contracting, Inc. all provided stories of hope, internal strength and success in growing their businesses. In Russ Sadler’s speech he illustrated how firms who want to do business with GBMC must pay special attention to their patients who ae being treated while work is being performed. R. Earl Lewis, Jr., Deputy Secretary for Policy, Planning and Enterprise Services at Maryland Department of Transportation introduced Governor Hogan.
The morning moved along rapidly with the crowd networking and learning how to do business with the many prime companies that participated as exhibitors and matchmaking host companies. Overall, our 15th Annual Spring Breakfast was a smashing success and we owe that to the numerous companies that allowed their fine names and reputations to be associated with us.
Even though our morning was dampened by the recently unexpectant death of Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, it was also uplifted because he was a friend and supporter of minority and women businesses.
We wish to thank all of our continued sponsors, exhibitors, advertisers, matchmaking host, staff, our guest and Martin’s Caterers for providing a wonderful venue to host our 15 years of service to the minority and women business community.