SCHOLARSHIP

The MBE Business Executive Scholarship

HMSDC‘s annual Scholarship Fundraiser raises funds for our MBE Executive Scholarships. The MBE Business Executive Scholarship is an annual program developed by the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) in 1987. Scholarships are awarded to select minority entrepreneurs (active and involved HMSDC members) to attend the educational programs of their choice in order to enhance their business skills. Past recipients have used HMSDC scholarships to attend the Minority Business Executive Program at Dartmouth College Amos Tuck School of Business, the Minority Business Management Seminar at the University of Wisconsin, the Rice University Management Seminar, trade specific training programs, and the Dale Carnegie Institute. In addition, Scholarship funds may be utilized to fund a series of training courses selected by the Education and Scholarship Committees. Attendance is limited and participants will be chosen in accordance with the Selection Criteria.

Purpose of Scholarships: To strengthen the management skills of MBEs whose success could be enhanced by attending educational seminars, to expand public awareness of minority-owned businesses, and to reward involvement of members in the HMSDC.

Who May Apply? To qualify, the applicant must be an owner or principal of a MBE firm certified by the HMSDC. The firm must also be a participating actively in HMSDC programs.

Application Process: You can download the application here: by calling (713) 271-7805 or by writing to Three Riverway, Suite 555, Houston, Texas 77056. All applications must be received at the HMSDC offices by May 31. Applications may be sent via fax, postal mail, delivered directly to the Council’s office or email Ingrid.robinson@hmsdc.org.

Selection Criteria: Applications will be judged with equal emphasis on (1) at least one year’s participation in HMSDC activities, (2) potential for improvement, (3) commitment of the candidate to attend, (4) educational preparation of candidate, and (5) commitment of the candidate to the scholarship fundraiser (donate, play, sponsor). Preference is given to applicants who have not received past scholarships from HMSDC and who are active members of HMSDC committees. Applicant must further agree to schedule adequate time to prepare for the chosen course(s) and attend them within the calendar year the scholarship is awarded. For a complete listing of the application and criteria, click here.

Selection Process: Winners will be selected by the HMSDC Scholarship Committee of the HMSDC. Top candidates will be selected on the basis of written applications and may be invited to an interview with the selection committee for final selection.

Confidentiality: All information submitted by the applicant will be held in strict confidence by the selection committee and used only with the prior consent of the applicant. The names of scholarship recipients and course selection will be announced at the luncheon, listed in the HMSDC newsletter and possibly included in press releases.

Contributions: Contributions are tax deductible and support the MBE Business Executive Scholarship Fund. If you would like to con-tribute directly to the scholarship fund, please complete the scholarship commitment form or e-mail Ingrid M. Robinson at Ingrid.robinson@hmsdc.org.    Click here to view the Scholarship Commitment Form.