Author: Jerry Higgins
Melvin Williams, the Department of Adult Correction Historically Underutilized Business liaison manager, was one of four recipients of the 2023 Andrea Harris MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) Award on Nov. 3.
This award is presented each year during the Minority Enterprise Development Week event hosted by the N.C. Department of Administration’s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB). This annual award, established in 2020 in honor of the late activist Andrea Harris, recognizes individuals, businesses or organizations that demonstrate dedication to serving HUBs as well as minority and women business enterprises through:
• Advocacy
• Engagement (stakeholders), or
• Development, implementation and/or support of HUB, Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) and initiatives that promote their overall growth, capacity and participation.
Recipients are typically nominated; however, Melvin was unanimously selected for this award due to his exemplary efforts to increase HUB and MWBE participation for the Department of Adult Correction. According to the State HUB Office, Melvin exhibited excellence in all categories of this award including, but not limited to,:
• Coordinating meetings with HUB vendors on how to do business with the state, particularly the Department of Adult Correction.
• Developing trainings for adult correction staff to learn more about the HUB program and goals.
• Presenting at the Department of Adult Correction’s Purchasing Conference on the HUB program.
• Participating in numerous HUB Office events such as trainings on HUB reporting and how to find vendors.
According to the State HUB Office, “His efforts underscore the mission of Andrea Harris, who was a known trailblazer for minority businesses and communities across the state. We appreciate Melvin for his work and all that he is doing for the state of North Carolina.”