Ten minority-owned businesses from around the country will receive the U.S. Small Business Administration's regional Minority Small Business Person of the Year award and Kwame Jackson, first runner up in the "Apprentice" reality show, will receive an entrepreneurship award during the National Minority Enterprise Development Week, Sept. 7-10.

The regional award winners have businesses that offer services ranging from environmental engineering and telecommunications infrastructure to maintenance of military family housing units.

One of the 10 regional award winners will be named the National Minority Small Business Person of the Year. The awards for the Minority Small Business Person of the Year will be presented during the 22nd Anniversary celebration of the National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week conference on Sept. 7-10 in Washington, D.C., at the Omni Shoreham hotel. MED Week is a joint event hosted by the SBA and the Minority Business Development Agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

"MED Week is a great venue to address major issues affecting the growth and development of minority businesses and expose them to new opportunities for growth and prosperity," SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto said. "In traditional MED Week fashion, we are joining with MBDA in honoring minority- owned and women-owned businesses and professionals, such as Kwame Jackson, who have demonstrated leadership, tenacity and shrewdness in their entrepreneurial pursuits. In accordance with the President's minority entrepreneurship initiative, we will continue to support the growth of minority businesses to become an even greater force in the global marketplace."

MED Week, held annually since 1983, recognizes minority businesses' contributions to the nation's economy. In a proclamation this year, President Bush urged all Americans to join together in honoring minority entrepreneurs across the country in appropriate observances.

Besides the national winner, other awards to be announced during the conference include the SBA Administrator's Leadership award and the 8(a) Graduate Firm of the Year award. Kwame Jackson will be at MED Week to accept an award for his entrepreneurial achievements during the competition for the coveted executive position of one of Donald Trump's successful companies. Jackson is a native of Washington, D.C., and holds an MBA from Harvard University. He was heavily involved in several "dot-com" start-ups during his time in business school and presently works as an Investment Manager for Goldman Sachs. Another special award will be given to the plaintiffs in the historic Brown vs. Board of Education case at the MED Week closing award ceremony and gala.

This year's conference theme is "Forward to the Future, Minority Business Enterprise: The National Priority." The conference will feature forums on technology, workshops on business solutions, a panel discussion on competitive advantages for minority businesses and two panels moderated by the SBA to discuss proven strategies to maximize federal procurement opportunities.

Senior staff from the Bush Administration will be present each morning for the Meet Your White House breakfast sessions. The conference will also provide opportunities to network at the MED Week 2004 Business Expo. There also will be award ceremonies to honor minority entrepreneurs, minority business advocates and leaders in the corporate community.