MWSBE Referral Program
2022 Crowns of Enterprise Nomination Form

The Crowns of Enterprise Awards started as a conversation with an elected official, who asked the question: "What are we doing to support and celebrate small businesses who are doing a great job?" The Crowns of Enterprise Awards were established to recognize Minority, Women, Small Business Enterprises (MWSBEs) in Charlotte-Mecklenburg that have provided excellent services to the County and City.

The Crowns of Enterprise Awards recognize and honor small businesses that demonstrate exemplary leadership and sound business strategies. We strive to acknowledge and display the hard work and resilient efforts of our local small businesses, illustrating the positive footprint and economic impact they have on our community. The program nurtures relationship building between businesses, officials and government agencies. 

2022 Crowns of Enterprise Awards Virtual Ceremony Recordingand Program

2022 Crowns of Enterprise Winners

Join us for the 2022 Crowns of Enterprise Awards!

Virtual event

May 12, 2022

2 PM

RSVP for 2022 Crowns of Enterprise

The Crowns of Enterprise Awards recognize and honor small businesses that demonstrate exemplary leadership and sound business strategies. We strive to acknowledge and display the hard work and resilient efforts of our local small businesses, illustrating the positive footprint and economic impact they have on our community. The program nurtures relationship building between businesses, officials and government agencies.

During the awards ceremony, we honor one outstanding business in each of the following categories:

  • Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) of the Year

  • Certified Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) of the Year

  • Certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) of the Year

  • Prime Contractor of the Year

  • Diversity Advocate of the Year

  • Media Personality of the Year

Each award winner receives a Crowns of Enterprise Award, publicity on the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and Charlotte Business Resources websites and community visibility through numerous social media vehicles.

The Crowns of Enterprise Awards honor minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses and small businesses demonstrating exemplary leadership and sound business strategies that drive economic development in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area and embrace diversity.

Nominations are now being accepted through Feb. 25, 2022. Submit your nominations for the 2022 Crowns of Enterprise Awards.

Hosted by the Charlotte Business INClusion program and Mecklenburg County Office of Economic Development, the annual awards recognize one business or individual in each of the following categories:  

  • Certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise of the Year.

  • Certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise of the Year.

  • Certified Small Business Enterprise of the Year.

  • Prime Contractor of the Year.

  • Diversity Advocate of the Year.

  • Media Personality/Outlet of the Year. [NOTE: This new award is presented to a media personality or media outlet for providing outstanding community engagement and exemplary coverage in support of the minority, women, and small business community.]

The program nurtures relationship building between businesses and government officials and agencies, and increases the community's awareness of the award winners' brands.

Nominations for the Crowns of Enterprise Awards typically close in February and winners are announced at an awards ceremony in May.


​The Crowns of Enterprise 2019 MWSBE Awards Ceremony

The Crowns of Enterprise 2019 MWSBE Awards Ceremony will be held May 16, 2019, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., at The Palmer Building, 2601 East 7th Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28204

Please visit Eventbrite for tickets.

2021 Crowns of Enterprise Nomination Form

​2020 - 2021 Winners

Certified Minority Business Enterprise:

Certified Woman Business Enterprise:

Certified Small Business Enterprise:

Prime Contractor of the Year:

​Diversity Advocate of the Year:

How to Nominate a Business or Person

The joint city-county awards committee encourages members the community to nominate a person or business for recognition. Self-nominations are welcomed.

Nominators should provide:

  • At least two paragraphs with a description and brief history of the nominated firm or individual.

  • At least two paragraphs with the nominee's mission and vision.

  • At least two paragraphs describing how the nominee drives local economic development, such as workforce contributions that support growth or innovative practices that foster revitalization.

  • At least two paragraphs describing how the nominee embraces and engages in diversity initiatives and efforts, such as contributions to multicultural relations, diversity education, social justice and community involvement.

For the prime contractor, diversity advocate, and media personality awards, nominators should provide at least two paragraphs describing how the nominee embraces and engages in diversity initiatives and efforts.

Submit your nominations for the 2022 Crowns of Enterprise Awards.