“Three Jamaican-owned Companies to receive U.S. Department of Commerce Awards at MEDWeek Conference”
MIAMI – The U.S. Department of Commerce, through its Minority Business Enterprise Center, will present eight awards to Florida’s top performing minority businesses and innovators, at the 26th Annual MEDWeek Business Matchmaker Conference on Friday, October 24th at the Signature Grand in Davie, Florida. Among this year’s honorees are three Jamaican-owned companies that have emerged winners from a field of 26 nominees.
Zap Courier Services took top honors this year as Statewide Minority Service Firm of the Year. Established in 1983 by founder, Owen Edwards and now headed by President, Dave Arjoon, Zap Courier has used its strategic partnering skills to align with larger delivery companies, such as UPS to broaden its geographic base, while providing services to giant corporations such as FPL, Macy’s, various local hospitals and medical laboratories, and to some 400 small businesses.
FA&M West Indian and American Grocery Store, was the run-away winner in the Retail sector. Owned and operated by Jamaican business partners, Seymour and Frederica McCalla, FA&M has been a one-stop location for Caribbean grocery shoppers since 1980. Located in Miami Gardens, FA&M dubs as a “meeting place” where Caribbean Americans and transient visitors go to purchase fresh meats, produce and “a little taste of home,” while catching up on the latest news.
Caribcast TV outdid its competitors to win the Statewide Minority Technology Firm of the Year, both for its vision, innovation and use of technology. Co-owned by Jamaican business partners, Tyrone Robertson and Michael Lewis, Caribcast began operations in 2007 and has been quietly gaining rapid momentum as a viable addition, and as an alternative to the viewing menu of a Caribbean and multicultural audience. Caribcast TV provides its subscribers with over 25 Caribbean television channels, live Caribbean TV and Radio, with viewing and listening options such as Online Media Player via WWW.CARIBCAST.TV; on any TV set via the Caribcast Set Top Box; Pay Per View, Video on Demand, and various advertising options.
According to MEDWeek Coordinator, Marie Gill, “With the Jamaican population in Florida growing at such a rapid pace, it is little wonder that every year, the Nominating Committee is able to identify Jamaican MBEs among its MEDWeek winners.” She stated that while an important requirement is the winners’ association as clients of the Minority Business Enterprise Center, it is their individual stories of growth and success, commitment, and contributions to the local economy that give them the winning edge.”
Other Honorees will include: Superior Design International, Exporter of the Year; Lemartec Engineering & Construction, Construction Firm of the Year; Plantation and Miramar High Schools, Going Green Innovation Awards; and City of Miami Mayor, Manny Diaz will receive the Minority Business Advocate of the Year Award.
The MEDWeek Awards will take place at this year’s Success Strategies & Awards Luncheon, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Broward’s Mayor Lois Wexler and State Representative Yolly Roberson (District 104) will provide welcome remarks. Luncheon Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Nelson Santiago, accomplished entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker.
Tickets to the Awards Luncheon are $50 per person (includes seminars and one-on-one matchmaker sessions with government and corporate buyers). The Business Expo will be FREE to the public from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on October 24th. For reservations, please contact 305.576.7888 or 1.800.730.5581.
