Cooperation key to minority success is conference theme

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Cooperation key to minority success is conference theme

Friday, September 08, 2000

By Deborah Mendenhall, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

No one can be successful alone.

Tavis Smiley, author and host of the talk show, BET Tonight, signed copies of his book yesterday at the kickoff luncheon for the Minority Enterprise Corporation's annual two-day conference and awards ceremony. The luncheon and book signing was held at P & W Foreign Cars in Shadyside. (Martha Rial, Post-Gazette)

This was the spirit and message behind the Minority Enterprise Corporation Pillar Awards Ceremony last night and its Power Conference 2000 that 130 people are expected to attend today at the Pittsburgh Hilton and Towers.

The challenges and obstacles facing Pittsburgh minority businesses, such as inclusion and access to capital, can be overcome with the help of large corporations and the community, said Sharon K. Williams, president and chief executive officer of the MEC.

"This conference brings together people who want to grow, learn and be empowered with those who are already established and have a vision of working together to make this region a better place in which to live, work and do business," she said.

Keynote speaker Tavis Smiley, author, lecturer and host of the talk show "BET Tonight," spoke of the widening gap between the "haves" and "have-nots," who tend to be minorities, he said.

Presidential candidates understand diversity in the context of a contest for the White House, but policies with teeth are lacking, he said in an interview before last night's ceremony.

"Every program that helped usher in the black middle class, mainstream women and lift up the disenfranchised, is under attack," he said. "No one is speaking specifically about how to shrink this economic gap."

Smiley's remarks were scheduled to precede the annual awards presentation, which recognized minority businesses that survived challenging markets as well as those who have helped them. Some 450 persons were expected to attend.

K.P. Chopra, president of American Geotechnical & Environmental Services, Inc., received the Achievement Award, presented to an MEC program graduate who successfully creates a small business.

Keith P. Crytzer, of PNC Bank, received the Economic Impact Award for helping minorities gain access to economic opportunities.

The Dwelling House Savings and Loan received the Lifetime Achievement Award for long-term assistance to minority businesses.

Riley Davis, president and CEO of Star Optical Inc. and vice president of the Davis Eye Group, received the Minority Entrepreneur Award.

James Moreland, founder and president of Jaymore Electrical Products and Systems, won the Up and Coming Entrepreneur Award.