MEDA Vice President Adrian Ruddock warns that predatory lenders are targeting small businesses struggling in the wake of Operation Metro Surge and urges BIPOC entrepreneurs to seek trusted alternatives before signing anything.
MEDA
Posted inCommunity Voices
Small businesses are the key to economic growth in our community
Small businesses fuel community growth, job creation, and generational wealth. MEDA highlights why investing in BIPOC entrepreneurs strengthens local economies and neighborhoods.
Posted inBusiness
MN PROMISE Act offers small businesses ‘life-changing capital’
The PROMISE Act has expanded. Minnesota small business owners in North and South Minneapolis and South St. Paul can now access up to $1.5 million in financing for commercial property, refinance unfair contracts, and get one-on-one business support from MEDA.
Posted inLocal & State
MEDA’s successes celebrated in these ‘exhausting times’
At its 2025 Annual Meeting, MEDA celebrated BIPOC entrepreneurs and community builders with a night of awards, bold insights, and renewed vision for economic equity in Minnesota.
Posted inWomen’s History Month
Women’s History Month Salute: Dorothy Bridges
‘It’s always been about what can I do with this talent and this asset to improve our community.’
Posted inBusiness
Meda now accepting applications for Million Dollar Challenge
Get your business pitches ready, the Meda Million Dollar Challenge for Minority Entrepreneurs is back!
Posted inBulletin, Local & State, News
Gary Cunningham to leave Meda, accepts job in D.C.
Meda announced today that Gary Cunningham, CEO and president, will step down at the end of June.
Posted inLocal & State, News
The color of money: Meda challenge awards $1.475M to minority entrepreneurs
‘There isn’t ‘Black’ money — it’s green and that’s what everybody is in this for.’
Posted inBulletin, Business
Meda launches $1 million competition for minority-owned businesses
The “$1M Challenge For Minority Entrepreneurs” is a Shark Tank-style competition launched by Metropolitan Economic Development Association (Meda) in partnership with the City of St. Paul to support early-stage minority-owned businesses that have potential for high growth.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Getting a business past its plateau
Meda’s Mini-MBA program offers help through the second stage of growth Black business ownership is experiencing major growth. According to the Minority 2018 Small Business Trends survey, the number of Black-owned small businesses in the U.S. has increased by 400 from 2017 to 2018. And, in Minnesota, businesses owned by people of color are the […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Entrepreneur finds success through business and goodwill
After opening Olu’s Home, Inc. in 1999, Gloria Freeman knew she had found her calling: helping people live their best potential life and leaving a legacy for her family.
Posted inBulletin
Meda to recognize outstanding advocates for minority entrepreneurship
Minnesota minority business owners and the partners, volunteers and community leaders who support their work, will be honored at Meda’s 47th annual recognition meeting at the Walker Art Center.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Teens prepped as future entrepreneurs
As class lets out, North Minneapolis’ Patrick Henry High’s hallways, like any school’s, teem wall to wall with chaotic vitality, the boisterous signature of spirited teenagers. It isn’t just any school, though, not one that meets the mainstream notion of wholesome boys and girls being boys and girls, which makes all the difference in the world. Society […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
The Black business story: tales of woe or signs of hope?
Second of two parts There are nearly three million U.S. Black-owned businesses, according to the latest U.S. Census data, generating an estimated $150 billion in annual revenues and providing 3.5 million jobs. These businesses continue to lag behind the average U.S. non-Black-owned business, but there are promising efforts underway to redress that lag, at least […]