Colorado Enterprise Fund Receives 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Award

CEO AND PRESIDENT of CEF CEYL PRINSTER RECEIVES AWARD FROM FORMER DENVER MAYOR WELLINGTON WEBB. PC: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BUSINESS AWARDS
 

Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) received the 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Award at the 33rd Annual Awards Presentation Luncheon January 12, celebrating "content of character," and for exceptional community service and commitment to the values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as evidenced by exemplary social responsibility.

Every year since 1986, the Denver business community gathers the Friday before the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday to present the award to individuals, corporations and nonprofits that demonstrate exemplary social responsibility and commitment to the values and ideals of King. Proceeds from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Awards support college scholarships for minority students through the Colorado Scholarship Coalition. 

"It is an immense and humbling honor to receive this particular award because of the revered place in our culture of its namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," says CEF President and CEO Ceyl Prinster. "We appreciate the highly respected profile of this award since it recognizes our organization's positive impact on promoting diversity and equity, specifically regarding our support of minority and underserved communities in our state."

CEF is a nonprofit lending source specializing in loans for small businesses and startups in Colorado. Nearly 25 percent of CEF's more than 2,100 loans made since its inception in 1976 have served minority business owners. Stan Sena, CEF Board member and the president and CEO of Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council, and Rosy Aburto McDonough, director of Colorado's Minority Business Office and a CEF Advisory Board Member, nominated CEF for this award.

"We were proud to nominate CEF for this award," says McDonough. "CEF provides access to capital that impacts rural and urban communities in a unique way since their business customers create products and services that generate employment and economic development. CEF's lending programs touch various industries, business sizes and locations in the state.

Providing loans to a wide range of business owners and industries across Colorado, more than 82 percent of all CEF customers are minority, woman or low-income individuals. CEF supports communities by providing economic opportunity through business ownership to encourage a diverse and equitable economy in Colorado. CEF's lending guidelines are more flexible than tradtitional banks and it offers free business consulting services to all loan recipients, providing borrowers with the tools they need to help them succeed.

Other 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Award recipients include Harry Budisidharta, Zee Ferrufino, Jake Gilmore, The Kitchen Community, Ryan Ross, Ph.D., and Reverend Dr. James D. Peters, Jr.