I usually talk in these President’s messages about technical assistance offered by Tabor 100, our upcoming Gala (best ever this year) and various locally related policy items. This time around, I’d like to focus on the impending threats to minority businesses overall and Black businesses specifically, which are always listed as those with the least opportunities and the least revenue and prospects for growth.

A recent study conducted by the Black Policy Project of UCLA’s Ralph J. Bunche Center found that it will take 248 years for Black Californians to reach the same level of “socio-economic parity “using 100 different objective criteria. Here in the liberal Puget Sound area, Black net worth is $23,000 and that of Hispanic families is $90,000. Caucasian family net worth or wealth, is well above $500,000.

Programs to improve the socioeconomic numbers are routinely being diminished by the courts (most of the judges appointed by a particular former President). A recent decision by a Texas court declared the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) in violation of federal law for not also serving white businesses is just the beginning. The current federal Administration has chosen not to appeal this case and instead has directed its MBDA offices to open its applications to non-minorities. Additional cases are making their way through the courts and may lead to an expansion of lessening of the same to minority communities.

While I paint a picture of woe, I must also point out that there are ways many are fighting back and I am proud that this state is working to make sure in the wake of these rulings, truly disadvantaged communities can benefit. Case in point is the Community Reinvestment Act, which provides large sums for business development and worker recruitment/retention directed at Black, Latine and Native communities.

I am aware that both our State Departments of Transportation along and tree with the Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprises agency are attempting to truly define “disadvantage” and create a system that will provide contracting opportunities to entities that are legitimately in need, regardless of these court decisions.

I also want to applaud the many agencies that are moving forward to define what disparity looks like by conducting significant and meaningful studies on disparity that will head off arguments in court that the “playing field is now level” and we don’t need programs for disadvantaged
populations.

Tabor 100 is needed more than ever.