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May 16, 2022

NMSDC’s advocacy agenda includes focus on federal MBE designation

Adopted in 2022, NMSDC’s advocacy agenda consists of three main focus areas:

As we continue to serve as a growth engine for NMSDC-certified minority businesses, we want to share the activities and accomplishments toward our advocacy agenda with you on a quarterly basis.
The below summary covers the time frame from January 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022.

1. Access to Contracts and Procurement Opportunities

2. Access to Capital; Technology/Relations Issues and Accountability

3. A Federal MBE Designation

Access to Contracts and Procurement Opportunities

1. Ying McGuire, CEO and President of NMSDC, began her tenure as Chair of the Contracts and Purchasing subcommittee to Council on Underserved Communities of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Learn more about the subcommittee’s initiatives.

2. On February 3, 2022, NMSDC testified to the Committee on House Financial Services Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee.

3. On March 21, 2022, NMSDC held a roundtable discussion with Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and select MBEs to share our stories, our struggles with federal contracting, and how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could help close the generational wealth gap or further widen the gap, depending on how access to funding is administered by the Department of Transportation.

4. In March, NMSDC began to shift its language around underserved communities of color to systematically excluded communities of color, to reinforce that our community is not simply underserved, which implies access has been equal, but rather our community has been purposefully excluded from access to contracts at the Federal, State, and local levels.

Access to Capital; Technology/Relations Issues and Accountability

1. NMSDC engaged in policy conversations with SBA’s Office of Capital Access regarding new programs/initiatives.

2. NMSDC gathered ally organizations to discuss opportunities to engage and advocate together with one voice.

A Federal MBE Designation

1. On Feb 16, 2022, NMSDC signed a joint letter with the National Urban League to President Biden and his administrations requesting a federal MBE designation.

2. NMSDC met with Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29) staff to discuss potential legislative pathway for a federal MBE designation.

3. NMSDC met with Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) to discuss opportunities of engagement with the Senate Small Business Committee.