If you’ve ever started a business—or even thought about it—you know how tough it can be to find funding, contracts, and connections. That’s where the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) steps in. But now, it’s under serious threat.
President Trump’s March 2025 executive order calls for the MBDA to be dismantled to the maximum extent allowed by law. And that’s not sitting well with lawmakers who know how vital this agency is to millions of business owners of color.
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), led by Rep. Steven Horsford, is calling on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to push back and keep the MBDA alive. The agency was made permanent by Congress in 2021, and in 2023 alone, it helped generate $1.2 billion in capital, secure $1.6 billion in contracts, and save or create over 14,000 jobs. That’s real impact—and it’s worth protecting.
Senators Maria Cantwell and Lisa Blunt Rochester backed the CBC, reminding Lutnick he once promised not to dismantle the agency. They’re demanding answers about sudden staff cuts and warning that gutting the MBDA would violate both the law and public trust.
Just months before this, in late 2024, the CBC urged then-President Biden to grant clemency for people serving long, outdated sentences—mostly Black and brown folks caught in a broken justice system.
Bottom line
This isn’t just about policy. It’s about keeping economic power and resources in the hands of the communities that need them most. The MBDA supports real people—small business owners, job creators, and future leaders—who often get overlooked.
This administration’s efforts to take our country back in time and remove critical tools of economic success for minority populations will hinder… economic growth… We ask that you… ensure that this agency… continues to thrive.
CBC
If strong, local businesses matter to you, this matters. Let’s stay informed—and ready to speak up. Real change starts when we get involved.
Key Takeaways
Lawmakers are working to protect the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) from being dismantled by an executive order, emphasizing its critical role in supporting minority business owners.
- Impact: Dismantling the MBDA would have a drastic effect on minority business owners, leading to a loss of $1.2 billion in capital, $1.6 billion in contracts, and over 14,000 jobs.
- Action: Lawmakers and the public need to call on the Commerce Secretary to maintain the MBDA’s permanence and to block the executive order.
- Empowerment: Get involved in advocacy to shield the MBDA and ensure that economic resources remain available to minority communities.
