Killing MBDA won’t just cripple Black businesses — It’ll weaken America

NUL President/CEP Marc Morial by Marc H. Morial — “We must also provide an expanded opportunity to participate in the free enterprise system at all levels—not only to share the economic benefits of the free enterprise system more broadly, but also to encourage pride, dignity, and a sense of independence. In order to do this, we need to remove commercial obstacles which have too often stood in the way of minority group members—obstacles such as the unavailability of credit, insurance, and technical assistance. Involvement in business has always been a major route toward participation in the mainstream of American life. Our aim is to open that route to potentially successful persons who have not had access to it before” – President Richard M. Nixon. The Trump administration’s efforts to rewrite American history under the guise of fighting a mythical ‘anti-White’ racism took a dangerous turn this week as the White House issued an executive order effectively gutting the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Since President Nixon established it over 50 years ago, the MBDA has provided government financing and contracting opportunities that have fueled the growth of minority-owned businesses and strengthened our communities. The National Urban League waged a decade-long...