Meda’s 2022 Gala celebration raised over $160k for BIPOC entrepreneurs. Pictured above is the Wallace Family, including (left to right): Mike Burns and Andrea Burns, Greg Wallace and Jenn Wallace, Prince and Sandy Wallace, Joseph and Annie Wallace
The 2023 Meda Gala takes place on Saturday, April 15th at the St. Paul Rivercentre
(Minneapolis, MN) — Apr 13, 2023 – Meda, a leading provider of integrated services to BIPOC business owners, is proud to announce that its 2023 Meda Gala will take place on April 15, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Under the theme “The Time is Now,” this event will highlight Meda’s unwavering commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, creating economic growth, and fostering generational wealth in BIPOC communities.
“Now is the time to harness the power of collaboration and come together as a united force to create lasting change for BIPOC entrepreneurs in our region,” says Dorothy Bridges, Meda’s new CEO & President, who joined the organization in September 2022. “Meda is dedicated to breaking through the status quo and scaling our services, providing access to corporate lending, business consulting and contracts to help our clients thrive and close the racial wealth gap.”
The Meda Gala, presented by Deluxe Foundation for the first time, will bring together entrepreneurs, corporations, Meda staff, board members, and community leaders to celebrate the organization’s achievements and impact in the Twin Cities. Barry McCarthy, Deluxe CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership, noting, “We are proud to support Meda’s mission to drive transformative growth in our region and create a more equitable future for all.”
Craig Veurink, Meda’s Board Chair and Business Banking Regional Executive (Midwest Region) at U.S. Bank, emphasized the urgency of corporate support. “As we move forward, it’s crucial that corporations, banks, policymakers and philanthropy come together to ensure Meda has the resources necessary to further speed up its growth, create a thriving sector for BIPOC businesses and bolster our region’s economic well-being.”
Meda’s 2022 Gala celebration raised over $160k for BIPOC entrepreneurs, including a $50k donation from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. Pictured above: The new CEO Dorothy Bridges, who will be present at the 2023 gala.
The evening will feature a silent auction, with proceeds going toward the support of Meda’s mission to help BIPOC entrepreneurs succeed. Attendees will also hear from business owners who have benefited from Meda’s consulting, commercial lending, and contract match-making services.
The event will be emceed by Emmy award-winning anchor and broadcast journalist Vineeta Sawkar of WCCO Radio, with a special performance by Nur-D, one of the fastest-rising stars on the Minnesota Music scene. The VIP arrival begins at 5:00 p.m., and doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Secure your spot at this momentous event by purchasing tickets today at meda.net/gala2023.
About Meda (Metropolitan Economic Development Association):
Meda was founded by a group of Minnesota business leaders who saw BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) business ownership as a positive, long-term response to rising economic inequity within minority communities in our state. Meda provides business development services, access to capital and corporate and governmental market support for BIPOC entrepreneurs. Over the years, Meda has helped launch more than 500 BIPOC businesses and assisted more than 30,000 Minnesota BIPOC entrepreneurs. Meda operates a growing fund as a Community Development Fund Institution (CDFI) that provides needed capital for minority businesses to become sustainable. Meda is also the host organization for the Minneapolis Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, which has been recognized by the MBDA as the top-performing center four consecutive years from 2016-2019. For more information, visit meda.net.
