Center for Empowerment and Economic Development Presents 24th Annual Awards Event: 'The Celebration of Empowerment'

April 9 Event Honors Outstanding Achievers Who Support Small Business

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED) presents one of Michigan's premier awards events - its 24th Annual Outstanding Achievement Awards, themed "The Celebration of Empowerment," on Wednesday, April 9 at the Ritz-Carlton Dearborn, located at 300 Town Center Drive, Fairlane Plaza in Dearborn.

Sponsored by General Motors and New Technology Steel, these awards honor organizations and individuals who have empowered others or received empowerment from CEED and demonstrate outstanding achievement while supporting the small business community. Approximately 500 attendees are expected at the event, which includes a networking reception, silent auction and dinner. The keynote address will be presented by renowned author and educator Dr. Dennis Kimbro, co-author with Napoleon Hill of the bestselling Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice. A dynamic and popular speaker, Kimbro specializes in management, entrepreneurship and human potential and is widely recognized as one of the most insightful writers in the field today. Local media personality Karen Dumas will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

The awards recognize those who mentor others, or give of their time and/or finances to CEED or other business and community organizations. "We are fortunate that many of our members are successful in their business endeavors," says Michelle Richards, executive director for CEED. "However, the exceptional member is willing to give to others while they build their businesses and seek their own successes."

2008 honorees include:

-- Huntington Bank as Corporation of the Year

Crain's Detroit Business as Partner of the Year

-- Business Training and Professional Development Category:

Teresita dela Funte/SCORE as Outstanding Volunteer

-- Michigan Women's Business Council Category:

Lizabeth Adrisana, owner and CEO/ASG Renaissance and

Carolyn LaHousse, president/Review Works as Outstanding Achievers;

Rhoda Kreuzer, owner and president/Partners in Action Inc. as
Outstanding Volunteer

-- City of Detroit Small Business Microloan Program Category:

Frederick Robertson, owner/Robertson International College of Beauty as
Outstanding Achiever

-- CEED MicroLoan Program Category:

Brenda Dunton/BDI Consulting and Donna Murray, vice president community
development /Charter One Bank as Outstanding Volunteers

-- Michigan Women's Marketplace Category:

International Detroit Business Expo for Outstanding Achievement.

Event host CEED is committed to empowering women and minorities economically through business development training, vendor certification, business-to-business networking and access to capital assistance programs.

"Our work strengthens the community by building partnerships and leveraging resources that increase business growth opportunities," adds Richards. "And this year's awards honorees are those who truly inspire the creation of community and opportunity for all."

In addition to title sponsors General Motors and New Technology Steel, the CEED 24th Annual Outstanding Achievement Awards are sponsored by AAA Auto Club of Michigan, Gill Industries, Huntington Bank, the Kellogg Company, Magna Donnelly, Systrand Manufacturing and Unibar Maintenance.

The April 9 event begins with registration at 5 p.m., followed by an annual meeting for active CEED members from 5:30 to 6 p.m., a public networking reception and silent auction from 5:30 to 6:50 p.m., and dinner and awards presentation from 7 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $85. For details and to register, purchase a program-book ad or donate to the silent auction, visit www.miceed.org or call 734-677-1400.

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Source: Center for Empowerment and Economic Development

CONTACT: Delora Hall Tyler of First Media Group for Center for
Empowerment and Economic Development, +1-248-354-8705, +1-248-755-6512 cell

Web site: http://www.miceed.org/

2008-03-17 16:51:53 0314363 PRNEWSWIRE