Minority and women-owned businesses received recognition during the City of Greenville/Greenville Utilities Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week held September 28 – October 3. The annual MED Week celebration, hosted by the Financial Service’s Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program, honored former Mayor and retired entrepreneur Mr. Edward E. Carter as its Standing on the Shoulders of Giants Award winner and local artist Mr. Richard D. Wilson, Jr. as its MWBE Excellence Award winner.
Edward Carter, the first African American Mayor of Greenville, was elected in 1987, garnering 3,441 votes - the most votes in election history at that time. During his tenure as Mayor, he is noted as providing professional and organizational structure and commitment to the human side of government. When asked why he decided to run, Carter stated, “All of my life, I had been faced with adversity, and I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to make a difference for my children. I wanted to make a difference for my community.”
Prior to this, Carter served eight years on the Pitt County Board of Education. However, his achievements began early on in his career as a member of the US Army where he was awarded two Bronze Stars, three Army Commendation Medals and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He worked until retirement at Burroughs Welcome and also fulfilled several entrepreneurial pursuits including owning a construction firm, Carter & Carter Construction LLC.
It is the shoulders of Carter and others that have helped lift entrepreneurs such as MWBE Excellence Award winner, Richard Wilson. Wilson is an accomplished artist whose paintings can be viewed in books, museums, as well as public and private collections. He is most proud of his official portrait of Congressman George Henry White displayed in a North Carolina courthouse – the first African American artist to have such an honor. Most recently, he was selected as one of the 20 “Up and Coming Artists” in the United States to design a limited edition label for the 20th Anniversary of Blue Moon Brewing Company. Whether using pastels to create his charming southern landscapes of days gone by or his stunning portraits depicting images of historical prominence and personal familiarity, Wilson has established a niche that separates his work and draws in his varied audience.
Catering to a niche market is the signature of Happy Girls Bras & Breastfeeding, $1,000 grand prize winner of the BizTank Business Pitch Competition also held during MED Week. Happy Girls, Greenville’s exclusive bra, nursing bra, and breastfeeding accessory location, is owned by Sophie Szymeczek and Steve Minor. The two plan to use their winnings to expand their inventory and better satisfy customer needs.
Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week recognizes the economic impact of the minority and women business community while enhancing the growth opportunities of these firms. For more information, contact Denisha Harris, MWBE Coordinator at 252.329.4862
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