On Dec. 2, the Business and Economic Development Center at the University of Washington-Foster School of Business held its annual Minority Business Awards at the Westin Hotel in Seattle. More than 500 people attended. Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase were the premier sponsors and the goal was to raise at least $25,000 for 10 BEDC scholarships for college students of color majoring in Business. Two of the winners were Vietnamese American: Mimi Nguyen and Kim Pham.
“Proceeds for the UW Minority Business of the Year Awards help fund scholarships for under-represented students at the Foster School. These students then go out and mentor high school students of the color to prepare them for college. So as we recognize the contributions of this generation of minority business leaders, we’re helping build the next generation,” said Wilfredo Tutol, the Associate Director of BEDC said.
Mimi Nguyễn is the winner of this year’s Asian/Pacific Islander Endowed Scholarship. She is a junior at UW, majoring in Business, specializing in Accounting and Information Science. As a high school student, she was part of BEDC’s YEOC (Young Executive of Color) program, where she was mentored by BEDC college students. She has completed three summer internships with Boeing.
“I decided in third grade I wanted to pursue business. I had an assignment to develop a marketing plan for a book and I really liked doing that. I continued studying business in high, in activities like DECA,” said Nguyen. “I’m really grateful for the API scholarship. It will not only help me with my studies but also give me the opportunity to help Asian owned businesses and I want to help my community.”
Kim Phạm is one of ten BEDC scholars. She is majoring in business, specializing in marketing and entrepreneurship.
“My parents have a catering business, RC Catering in Kent, so I always grew up with a business mindset. I was always helping out at the family business, Costco is my second home!” said Pham. “I also like presenting and speaking and I enjoy working with the YEOC scholars. There are many Vietnamese YEOC scholars and I speak with Vietnamese parents often about my experience.”
