Small Business Award Nominations

[Deep Waters Support Team]

B L A C K   E N T E R P R I S E

Seeks Small Business Award Nominations

New York, NY-- BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine (BE), the premier business and investing resource for African Americans, is seeking nominations for the 2006 Black Enterprise Small Business Awards.  Now in their 11th year, the awards recognize outstanding African American entrepreneurs for business excellence. "Our award winners represent the best of the best," says BE Small Business Editor James C. Johnson. "They not only embody the entrepreneurial spirit and are representative of exceptional achievement, but they also serve as inspiration to others striving to make their mark in the economic mainstream." 

BLACK ENTERPRISE will present awards in the following categories:

The Emerging Company of the Year honors an organization that has adopted creative marketing techniques, carved out a special niche or strategically capitalized on general market opportunities to enable its business to successfully forge ahead.

The Rising Star award recognizes exceptional business achievement by persons under the age of 35.

The Business Innovator of the Year acknowledges an individual who has broken new ground or developed a new and unique method of doing business.

To be eligible for nomination in these categories, companies must: be independently owned; be at least five years old; be at least 51% black owned; and generate annual revenues of at least $250,000 but no more than $20 million. Businesses should demonstrate a pattern of increasing revenues for the two years preceding the nomination application and must have a minimum of three employees. 

The Kidpreneur/Teenpreneur of the Year award honors a young entrepreneur or group, age 17 or under, who is committed to advancing the rich tradition of black business achievement.

To be eligible for nomination in the Kidpreneur/Teenpreneur category, an individual or group must operate a business that is at least two years old and at least 51% black owned; demonstrate that the company generates revenues (even if it is not yet profitable); serve as a role model to young entrepreneurs; and have a comprehensive understanding of, and direct involvement in, the daily operations of the company.

Honorees will be announced in Dallas, Texas on May 20, 2006 at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference and Dealmakers Expo hosted by General Motors. Award winners will also be profiled as one of America's best small businesses in a future issue of BE.

Entries must be received by January 31, 2006.

Nomination forms for the Black Enterprise Small Business Awards can be obtained at www.blackenterprise.com/sba or by calling

1-212-886-9542.