U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. Denounces Federal Court Ruling Against MBDA, Urges Collective Action for Equity and Inclusion
U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. Denounces Federal Court Ruling Against MBDA, Urges Collective Action for Equity and Inclusion (Washington, DC) — The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., the national voice of Black business, issued the following statement in response to the ruling by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas Fort Worth Division against the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA):
In a 93-page opinion rendered on Tuesday, the federal court ruled that the MBDA’s technical assistance programs are deemed unconstitutional based on the assertion made by three plaintiffs who claimed they were unable to access federal programs due to their race. The USBC believes this case serves as a clarion call to all Americans who firmly believe in the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion to stand against contemporary challenges veiled in political theater.
USBC’s President & CEO Ron Busby, Sr., expressed his views on the matter, stating, “This week’s ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Mark T. Pittman regarding the MBDA is part of a detestable, coordinated, and apparently successful effort to erase intentional federal programs focused on uplifting Black and Brown communities.” He continued by saying, “Taken in isolation, this attack on the MBDA is a clear signal that some Americans do not want to see a thriving American economy and the widening racial wealth divide closed. When combined with the weakening of federal contract opportunities, the elimination of DEI on major university campuses, and the targeting of black-led venture capital, we can only call this what it is: a coordinated campaign to undo the progress of decades of concerted effort to create an equitable and just country.”
Since its inception over 50 years ago, the MBDA has opened its programs to small disadvantaged businesses across the board without regard to race or gender. Given this intentional undertaking, the need for the MBDA has never been greater, especially as we seek to integrate minority businesses into the mainstream of the American economy.
Despite the ruling, the USBC believes that the MBDA and its robust programs are critical partners in advancing wealth-building opportunities for Black Americans. These opportunities include the imperative to diversify federal procurement programs, recognized as one of the most powerful tools to advance equity and build wealth in underserved communities. Unfortunately, only around 10 percent of federal agencies’ total eligible contracting dollars typically go to small disadvantaged businesses, with Black firms only receiving 1.5 percent of this number. The absence of MBDA programs, the nation’s sole agency serving minority businesses, will significantly impact collective efforts to develop a robust contracting ecosystem, further weakening our national economy.
Our global competitors challenge our role in the world with a single-mindedness that we must match if we are to succeed. Rulings like this one make it clear that there are those willing to sacrifice our competitive edge – which is diversity – in pursuit of a pyrrhic victory.
The fact is our nation is better when diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront of our institutions, our policymaking, and our strategic decisions. That’s why earlier this week, the USBC convened a White House roundtable along with 17 Black business and professional associations from every landscape of American life to discuss this critical issue, among others, with Biden-Harris administration officials.
We will persist in emphasizing that our diversity is our strength. It is crucial for our Black business owners, Black professionals, corporate partners, and the entire Black community to receive clear and unambiguous affirmation that the President of the United States stands with us. It is agreed that our nation’s diversity is key to our ongoing success. We will continue to fight and mobilize our partners against any efforts seeking to hinder the promise of the American dream and dismantle the advancements we have long fought for.
U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. Denounces Federal Court Ruling Against MBDA, Urges Collective Action for Equity and Inclusion
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