New York, NY (March 18, 2014) – The National Minority Business Council, Inc.(NMBC), a 42-year-old nonprofit serving minority, women-, and veteran-owned businesses, The Network Journal (TNJ), a leading U.S. business magazine for Black professionals and business owners, and Vision on Africa, a U.S.- and Ethiopia-based nonprofit dedicated to health enhancement and capacity building among women and youth in Africa, agreed to collaborate to advance the mission of Vision on Africa while expanding the entrepreneurship development efforts of the NMBC and TNJ.
The official announcement of this joint humanitarian/professional venture will be made on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at TNJ’s 16th Annual 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards and Luncheon, at the Marriott New York Marquis in mid-Manhattan. Michelle Miller, CBS News Correspondent, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for what is slated as one of New York City’s most prestigious events of the year. The Luncheon event will celebrate women who redefine excellence and recognize some of the most successful women in business.
Vision on Africa was established as a 501 (c)(3) entity in the State of Virginia in 2003 by Senedu Araya-Sellassie, founder and CEO. Ms. Araya, who is Ethiopian, set up the organization’s offices in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, upon her return to that country after living in the United States for several years.
“Vision On Africa is thrilled to be partnering with the NMBC and The Network Journal, whose work reaches across the United States and beyond,” said Ms. Araya-Sellassie. “These two highly respected organizations bring a wonderful reservoir of expertise and knowledge that will help to drive our efforts to build the capacity of African enterprises, especially those owned by women.”
Ms. Araya-Sellassie is the recipient of the L’Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest civilian honor, and was named an Honorary Daughter of the Blue Nile, Blue Nile Passage, of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem-NY, for her work with Vision On Africa.
“The Network Journal looks forward to working with Vision On Africa in doing its part to ensure sustainable livelihoods for women and children on the continent,” said Rosalind Kilkenny McLymont, Executive Editor of the magazine. “For the past sixteen consecutive years our magazine has honored some of the most outstanding women in the private, public, academic and nonprofit sectors in the United States, and many of them have expressed the desire to put their knowledge and expertise to use in Africa. Vision On Africa is an excellent vehicle for them to do just that.”
John F. Robinson, president and CEO of the NMBC, said: “While the NMBC is no stranger to the global arena, we are particularly excited at the prospect of partnering with Vision on Africa through our Women’s Business Committee to build entrepreneurial capacity among women and youth on the continent of Africa. The members of the Committee are experienced entrepreneurs who can ably carry the baton in this unique collaboration with VoA.”
To purchase tickets to the 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards and Luncheon, please visit: http://tnj.tix.com/Schedule.aspx?OrgNum=4078. Individual tickets are $300 each, if purchased before March 20, 2014, and $350 thereafter. Tables of ten may be purchased at $3,000. All tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be available at the door. For more information please call 212-962-3791.
About National Minority Business Council
Founded in 1972 as a full-service, non-profit (501)(c)(3) corporation, the National Minority Business Council’s primary purpose is to enhance the success and profitability of the small business community through the provision of high-quality services, education, mentoring programs, advocacy and networking support. The NMBC is a membership organization that includes hundreds of small, minority, women owned and veteran owned businesses located nationally and internationally. Given the various levels of business expertise among the members, the NMBC strives to develop programs that are suited to the needs of the new start-up as well as seasoned entrepreneur.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
National Minority Business Council
Ulysses Williams
201-270 7405
Ulysses@nmbc.org
The Network Journal
Rosalind McLymont
212-962-3791
rmclymont@tnj.com
