Nominate a Minority Business owner, leader or advocate

It’s time once again to nominate top minority business owners, leaders and an advocate. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal will recognize 21 people — 10 business owners, 10 corporate executives and one advocate — in the 2006 Minority Business Guide.

This year, the Business Journal will again be conducting the nomination process online. Links to the nomination forms can be found at http://twincities.bizjournals.com, in the bottom left corner of the Web page, under the “Community” section. All nominations must be submitted online.

To be eligible for the business owner award, an individual must be an ethnic minority and the majority owner (at least 51 percent) of a fast-growing business — ideally with annual revenue in the $1 million to $25 million range — who have made an impact in the community. The business must be based in the Twin Cities 11-county metro area, including Minnesota counties Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright; and Wisconsin counties Pierce and St. Croix.

Corporate executives eligible for the leadership award must be people of color with high levels of responsibility — such as a VP, CFO, a partner or someone in charge of a business unit. The top candidates are those who play a strong leadership role outside of their jobs, and serve in industry associations or other influential community organizations.

We also will honor one outstanding advocate who fosters minority-owned businesses through funding, promotion, corporate diversity programs or other support. Entrants must work in the Twin Cities 11-county metro area for firms or organizations based in the state or national companies that have at least 1,500 employees in Minnesota.

Nominations are due Friday, March 17. If you have any questions about the online nomination forms, contact Project Editor Steve LeBeau at (612) 288-2108, or slebeau@bizjournals.com.

Honorees will be profiled in the June 16 Minority Business Guide. The 21 honorees will be recognized at a cocktail reception on June 15. For information about the reception, please contact Event Coordinator Jessica Dixon at (612) 288-2129, or jdixon@bizjournals.com.

Sincerely,

Steve LeBeau,
Managing Editor