Minority Business Development Agency National Director Receives 2016 National Urban League’s “Women of Power Award”

The National Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Alejandra Y. Castillo received the National Urban League’s (NUL) “Women of Power Award” during the 2016 “Women of Power & Business Leaders Awards Luncheon,” Aug. 4 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The “Women of Power” award is designed to recognize women leaders who are making an impact in the world of arts, politics, journalism, justice and sports.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this award from the NUL and to be in the presence of so many dynamic and powerful women, past, present and future,” said MBDA National Director Alejandra Y. Castillo. “It’s so important that we continue to celebrate and support one another. This is one way that we can help ensure even more women are in position to lead, grow and contribute to the success of our nation.”

Other 2016 honorees included; White House Senior Advisor Valerie B. Jarrett, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Broward County Dr. Germaine Baugh-Smith, Fellow and Vice President of Community Investment for Comcast Corporation and Executive Vice President of the Comcast Foundation Charisse R. Lillie, Esq., and President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund Cecile Richards.

The awards luncheon was part of the 2016 National Urban League Conference: Save our Cities: Education, Jobs and Justice held Aug. 3-6 in Baltimore. The annual conference also featured a career and networking fair, entrepreneur summit, young professional’s summit, and information sessions and workshops on topics relating to education, business, the economy, health, and justice.

Past “Women of Power” award winners include MSNBC/NBC Anchor Tamron Hall, Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios, Professional Boxer Laila Ali, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan E. Rice, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President, Morehouse School of Medicine and hip-hop legend, entrepreneur and philanthropist, MC Lyte.