Vienna Resident Honored Among Top Minority Business Enterprises

VIENNA, VA — An 18-year Vienna resident was honored as a top Minority Business Enterprises winner by the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council. Monica Mitchell, president and CEO of Tysons-based MERAssociates, LLC, is among the top 100 winners for 2019 around DC, Maryland and Virginia.

According to the council, winners "demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial accomplishments, a high level of professionalism, and have made substantial contributions to their community." Qualifying businesses must be at least 51 percent owned, controlled and operated by ethnic minorities.

"I am extremely honored and excited to be recognized by the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council and to be among such an outstanding group of awardees," said Mitchell in a statement. "This award reflects the commitment of so many to the success of MERA, including our great staff, the best clients, exceptional partners and my wonderfully supportive family."

Founded by Mitchell in 2008, MERA is an educational research and evaluation company aimed at expanding underrepresented minority groups' participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). One focus is capacity-building in STEM education and research for institutions and organizations serving underrepresented and underserved students. The company also helped principal investigators and minority-serving institutions from underrepresented minority backgrounds receive $20 million in federal awards.

The Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council has been around for 47 years. The nonprofit economic development organization is aimed at connecting corporate and government members to well-established, certified minority-owned business enterprises.

The Top 100 MBE Awards will be presented at the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council’s 38th Annual Leaders and Legends Awards Ceremony on Oct. 3 at MGM National Harbor.