• 
• 

News

SCMBEC Client Wins Regional Media Award

Media, Inc. and were known throughout out the southeast market as Black Pages USA. Years later, Thomas formed Thomas Media Group, LLC (headquartered in Columbia, SC), which continues to focus on publishing Black Pages directories and hosting Black Expos, both highlighting African-American owned businesses, in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.

The Media Award is an annual award given by the MBDA, a division within the U.S. Department of Commerce, to one recipient throughout the Southeast region. Thomas' story was submitted by the South Carolina Minority Business Enterprise Center in March, and a few weeks later was announced as the recipient.

Diane E. Sumpter, project director of the Center, said "We nominated Darrin because of his ever-growing passion to help minority businesses. He's worked hard his entire career to make sure that these businesses are heard, and have a fair chance of gaining business within the market."

Thomas enjoys witnessing the growth and development of minority-owned businesses and the direct impact Black Pages has had on the community. "There are so many reasons why we've been effective, and not necessarily business-oriented," he said. "For example, many years ago I had an elementary school student tell me she didn't know Columbia had any black physicians until she saw them in the publication." Columbia has had African-American physicians since the 1800's. 

Thomas will be accepting his award on August 12, 2010 in Atlanta, GA during the MBDA's annual Minority Enterprise Development Week awards ceremony.

 

About the SCMBEC

As a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) was created specifically to advance the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses in America. Furthermore, the South Carolina Minority Business Enterprise Center (SCMBEC) formed a cooperative agreement with the MBDA, to promote the growth and expansion of South Carolina's minority-owned businesses.

The SCMBEC provides services to increase the exposure and visibility of minority business enterprises, and at the same time, build market presence and stability for these firms. Their consulting services and strategies are designed to increase capital and contracting opportunities for these firms, as well as to help create new jobs in South Carolina's communities.

For complete information on the SCMBEC, visit www.SCMBEC.com.