Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA), President and CEO Dorothy Bridges, put it plainly to attendees during the organization’s annual meeting at the Walker Art Center on June 17. “When MEDA clients succeed, Minnesota wins,” Bridges said.
MEDA provides clients with consulting, capital, and connections to break down the barriers that keep business owners of color from growth and lasting success.
“While these challenging times have affected us all, MEDA’s commitment remains unwavering: to empower entrepreneurs with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed and drive lasting economic impact,” Bridges said.
While acknowledging the challenges of 2024 and divisions threatening the organization’s progress, Bridges also honored MEDA clients for their business success and contributions to the community. Sheletta Brundidge, Founder and CEO of ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, a multi-media podcasting and production company, was honored with MEDA’s Small Business Champion of the Year Award. During her acceptance speech, Brundidge touched on a theme of the event: the importance of collaboration to elevate underserved business owners in the Twin Cities.
“I wake up every day and ask God to make me the answer to someone’s prayer,” Brundidge said. “Whether it’s a lunch meeting like the one I set up with Yolanda from Pierson and Sons Trucking with the CEO of Kraus Anderson, or the billboards I bought Roseline to advertise her candle company because she didn’t have any customers, or when I walk into a grand opening and pray for someone’s business. I want all of us to win.”
James Garrett and Nathan Johnson, managing partners and architects at 4RM+ULA, a full-service architectural design firm, were also honored at the event with MEDA’s Community Builder Entrepreneur Award. “We’ve gotten support from MEDA for seven to eight years.” Johnson said the financial boost has been critical. “Capital is one of the hardest things for people to get, and we don’t come from families of privilege. So, we didn’t have a stockpile of resources or networks we could just tap into to get support.”
Kortech President Conrad Nguyen was named MEDA's Entrepreneur of the Year for 2025 at the annual event. Rolando Borja-Trujillo, CEO of Talent Identifying System/Integrated Staffing Solutions, was also honored as Resilient Entrepreneur of the Year.
In 2024, MEDA distributed over $19.9 million in capital and served more than 600 clients who brought a total of $74 million in revenue to the state of Minnesota. The financial support and networking help MEDA clients like Loveline Toussaint, whose business, C.L.R. Intuition, is at the critical make-or-break stage. Toussaint is currently doing market research and scoping out spaces in Minneapolis for her unique spa center that uses technology to stimulate the mind. “Using creativity, light, sound, and images, we stimulate calmness or genuine thought.” Toussaint says the health benefits of using Oculus sets to tap into and elevate brain activity are endless. She’s joined MEDA to elevate her business plan. “I’m hoping this is one place where I can showcase and communicate my idea to the public.”
With the administration’s widely reported cuts to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Bridges says the need and call to action for her organization is immediate.
“This moment requires our leadership and commitment,” Bridges explained. “If we fail to act now, we risk reversing the advancements made over the past 53 years. This is urgent, and we need the community’s support. With their partnership, we can continue delivering the resources, opportunities, and support that truly make a difference in the lives of local business owners.”