Last month, the Maestro Entrepreneur Center received the 2020 Advocate of the Year award from  H-E-B Supplier Diversity.

The award  honors organizations that support the efforts of H-E-B Supplier Diversity in driving spend with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), and Veteran or Disabled Business Owners (MWVDBE).

“As an organization, The Maestro Entrepreneur Center demonstrates they [are] a
Small Business Champion within the City of San Antonio for all small businesses,” said Crystal Royal, Supplier Diversity Manager for H-E-B, in a statement.

In the statement, Royal explains that the Maestro Center was honored with this year’s award for a variety of reasons.

“The Maestro Entrepreneur Center’s model in Construction Outreaches, Certification Competencies and Business Practice Programming continues to be a driving force within San Antonio for the Small Minority Owned Business community,” Royal said.

The Maestro Entrepreneur Center was honored to receive the award.

“It means the world to us,” Mariangela Zavala, Executive Director for the Maestro Center, said. “I am beyond proud of my staff and the partners behind this amazing work and recognition.

One of the programs that was specifically identified is Maestro’s weekly Webinar Wednesday. Royal explains that this program, along with others, provided important and timely information for small businesses who may have felt uncertain amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the tools of a Webinar and Podcast, The Maestro Center continues to partner with Top Business Leaders and Small Business Champions to ensure small businesses receive information in English and Spanish that will ensure sustainability for not only San Antonio businesses but for all of Texas and international businesses,” Royal said.

Ultimately, the award honors not only recent programming, but the mission of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center as a whole.

“Their dedication to ensure that all small businesses are armed with the tools needed to not only succeed but also excel economically is the core of The Maestro Center,” Royal said.