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Celebrating African American Heritage Month

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Created on February 19, 2014
 

I am honored to serve as the Agency’s Acting National Director. In this capacity, I will continue to promote our Agency’s important mission and the stellar work of minority-owned businesses.

As we celebrate African American Heritage this month and its 2014 theme of Civil Rights in America, I am reminded of the genesis of the Minority Business Development Agency.  MBDA was founded on the premise that all people had a right to participate fully in our free enterprise system.  We salute the civil rights leaders that launched the historical movement for jobs and economic equality.  Furthermore, we commend today’s 1.9 million African American owned firms that generate $136 billion in annual economic output and create over 900,000 jobs.  President Obama states it best in his National African American Heritage Month Proclamation, “Every American can draw strength from the story of hard-won progress, which not only defines the African-American experience, but also lies at the heart of our Nation as a whole.”

MBDA is proud to be part of the continued progress of minority-owned businesses who greatly contribute to U.S. economic growth and job creation.  Later this month, MBDA and theInternational Trade Administration (ITA) will co-host a CEO Fireside Chat featuring successful African American CEOs on the importance of international commerce.  This live stream event will also highlight the launch of the new ITA/MBDA strategic outreach program that promotes the commercial benefits of trade and investment to the minority business community. 

We invite you to stay engaged and learn more of how we can be a resource for you!

Additional Resources

» African American-Owned Business Fact Sheet

From the Director

From the Director