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Photography by Vicky Pink - On Tuesday, December 3, 2013, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the Houston City Hall for the 1st Annual Champion of Diversity Awards event. Mayor Annise Parker presented the City of Houston’s first Champion of Diversity Award to the late City Council Member Ernest B. McGowen, Sr. who was chiefly responsible for pioneering the legislation and subsequent passage of the ordinance that established the City of Houston’s Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program 29 years ago. Hosted by the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity Advisory Board, the event honored City of Houston prime contractors and certified minority, women and small business enterprises that work on the city’s contracts, as well as the City of Houston’s Department of Neighborhoods that is responsible for awarding more than 70 percent of its contracts to certified firms. Capital One Bank was named Community Partner of the Year for its role in creating and partnering with the City on various initiatives designed to educate and grow small businesses. The Champion of Diversity award was also renamed the Ernest B. McGowen, Sr. Champion Award in honor of Mr. McGowen. The award was accepted by his wife, Mrs. Jewell McGowen, and his children. Other named award recipients were Industrial TX Corporation, T. Construction, LLC., Lockwood Andrews & Newnam, Inc., United Engineers, Inc., Comfort Systems USA (South Central), and Milam Street Auto Storage, Inc.
