This week marks Tucson’s 14^th annual Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, where the achievements and contributions of minority owned businesses are lauded.

"It is very difficult to start and run your own business for anyone, but minorities do have a difficult time making it in business even in today’s world," said Ellen Hull, the Microbusiness Advancement Center’s outreach director. "We want to celebrate those who have come over the obstacles and made it. It is very inspirational to see these folks get the recognition they deserve. It also shows others they could make it too, it is possible."

At part of the celebration dinner Wednesday (Sept. 17), five minority business owners will be honored:

• Jinshan Tang as the Minority Technology Firm of the Year for Innova Environmental Engineering LLC. Tang was born in the rural countryside in Southeastern China. The eldest of six children, he helped support his siblings and had a desire to excel and make something of himself. In 1987, he was accepted to the University of Arizona’s College of Engineering graduate program.

• Mario Durazo is the Minority Construction Firm of the Year for Durazo Construction Corporation. Durazo has 35 years of experience in the field of construction. He and his company have been actively involved in the Tucson community for many years, helping the Tucson Police Officer’s Association, Tucson Firefighter’s Association and the Diocese of Tucson. They also contribute to the Southside day care to provide lunches for the children.

• Cecilia Mata with Allsource Global Management LLC is the Minority Service Firm of the Year. AllSource offers operations and logistics, training solutions, staff augmentation and C4 system services and support for state and federal government agencies and private, commercial and not-for-profit clients. Currently competing with Fortune 500 companies, Cecilia has not let her lack of military experience and connections stand in her way.

• Lea Marquez Peterson is the Small Business Advocate of the Year. Marquez Peterson’s business, TucsonBizForSale.com, provides confidential business sales and business valuations in Southern Arizona. She was appointed by Governor Napolitano to the Governor’s Small Business Council, and is also the Executive Director of Greater Tucson Leadership.

• Al Longmire will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for building and sustaining his Al’s Barber Shop for more than 40 years. Longmire began his career as a barber in 1959. By 1965 he had opened his own shop. He has supported youth sports programs, school events and activities, and the Girl and Boy Scouts. The barbershop has also been the distribution center and hub of thousands of local charitable events, fashion shows, religious celebrations and events. Al has served as a role model for others and is the epitome of a successful business owner.

In addition, scholarships will be awarded to four local minority college students and four entrepreneurial MAC clients.

The awards dinner, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Tucson Hilton East, 7600 E. Broadway, will be hosted by KOLD news reporter and weekend anchor Teresa Jun. Tickets are available through the Microbusiness Advancement Center at $60 for individuals and $550 for a table of 10. Reserve online at www.tucsonmedweek.com or call (520) 620-1241.

There are also free workshops throughout the week on topics such as e-mail marketing essentials, business banking in today’s economy, website design and search engine optimization and contracting with government and corporate organizations. Visit www.tucsonmedweek.com for the schedule and to register.

Contact reporter Joe Pangburn at jpangburn@azbiz.com or (520) 295-4259.