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Wells Fargo and the National Black MBA Association Honor Distinguished African American Entrepreneurs

The winners were honored during the NBMBAA Leadership Networking Luncheon at the annual NBMBAA Conference in New Orleans on September 23, 2009. The winning companies, who each received a $5,000 check, were selected from a nationwide pool and were evaluated based on their companies' business performance, innovation, growth and personal service to the community.

Just Bucket Excavating, Inc. (JBE) provides general excavation work for commercial, institutional and residential properties. Since 2000, the company has experienced significant growth, in part due to success in obtaining federal contracts. Davis now serves as a mentor and trainer to help other diverse-owned businesses compete for federal contracts. Davis has worked at a number of organizations to help troubled youth and mentally handicapped individuals. In 1988, Davis and his wife started Team Davis, taking in foster children while raising five children of their own. Team Davis grew into Team Care, a residential care facility for troubled young men.

K.I.A. Design & Construction Enterprises, Inc. is an interior design and construction company for private homes, schools, professional sports stadiums and municipal buildings. The company has designed props and dressed sets for successful films including "Sixth Sense," "Men in Black" and "Beloved." Kia Steave-Dickerson was featured as a key designer for the hit show "Trading Spaces" and now hosts "Renovate My Place." Steave-Dickerson has founded two transitional homes for men and women who are recovering from drug, alcohol and spousal abuse.

"This year's winners reflect the diversity of the contributions and success within the nation's African American business community," said Brenda Ross-Dulan, regional president for Wells Fargo's Southern New Jersey region and national spokesperson for Wells Fargo's African American Business Services program. "The owners of Just Bucket Excavating and K.I.A. Design & Construction Enterprises, Inc. illustrate the importance of dedication, commitment and perseverance in achieving business and personal success."

"Our award winners continue to be solid examples of how entrepreneurs can turn interests and proficiencies into enterprises. Like our previous winners, this year's honorees have extended themselves beyond business to fortify, nurture and serve their communities," said NBMBAA President & CEO Barbara L. Thomas. "In this way, they are role models and heroes, true embodiments of both business and social entrepreneurship."

Wells Fargo's African American Business Services program provides outreach and education to African American business owners through resources including workshops, seminars, tradeshows, and regional and national alliances. In 2008, Wells Fargo joined with the National Black MBA Association to launch the Entrepreneurial Institute, a forum that supports both aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs in accessing the resources they need to grow and succeed financially.

About National Black MBA Association

Established in 1970, the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) is dedicated to developing partnerships that result in the creation of intellectual and economic wealth in the black community through its five channels of engagement: education, career, leadership, entrepreneurship and lifestyle. With 40-plus chapters, a membership base of more than 8,000 and more than 400 corporate partners, the NBMBAA provides access to its constituents through services such as the Annual NBMBAA Conference, local empowerment initiatives and other programs. The NBMBAA Conference is the nation's largest professional African American conference and exposition. To learn more about the NBMBAA, visit www.nbmbaa.org.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 10,000 stores and 12,000 ATMs and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally.

Wells Fargo is America's #1 small business lender and a leading lender to women- and diverse-owned businesses. Through its online library of business resources, including topical videos and an award-winning webcast series, Wells Fargo provides business owners with timely advice and information to help them succeed financially. For more information, speak with a Wells Fargo banker, visit wellsfargo.com/biz or call the National Business Banking Center at 1-800-CALL-WELLS.

Wells Fargo
Sarah Toffoli, 415-396-0866
sarah.toffoli@wellsfargo.com
or
for NBMBAA
Dana Gleeson, 312-751-9689 x14
dgleeson@beamaninc.com