Reps Adams and Nickel Introduce the Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs Act
Legislation by HBCU Caucus duo will support recent graduates starting businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, and Congressman Wiley Nickel (NC-13) introduced H.R. 8984, the Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs Act to level the playing field for minority-owned businesses.
The Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs Act would expand Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers near historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs), and other minority-serving institutions. Doing so will help create a network of accessible business resources to help young, diverse entrepreneurs succeed.
"It just makes sense for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers to provide services near HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions," said Rep. Adams. “HBCUs play an outsized role to support the economic mobility of African Americans – from the high percentages of engineers, teachers, doctors, and judges in their alumni ranks to the number of prospective entrepreneurs they matriculate. Research shows that 93% have an option for undergraduates to major in business, 75% offer entrepreneurship courses, and 38% offer a Master of Business Administration. By expanding centers into these neighborhoods, the MBDA is creating a pathway for businesses to succeed from inception to execution."
“We need to level the playing field in North Carolina to ensure that underrepresented entrepreneurs have a seat at the table,” said Rep. Nickel. “I’m proud to introduce the Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs Act alongside Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus Chair Congresswoman Alma Adams to ensure that diverse communities and small business owners have access to the federal resources they need to thrive.”
Congressman Nickel is also a member of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. The caucus works to promote and protect the interests of HBCUs by creating a national dialogue, educating Members of Congress and their staffs about the issues impacting HBCUs, drafting meaningful bipartisan legislation to address the needs of HBCUs, and supporting students and graduates of HBCUs by increasing access and career opportunities.
Full text of the Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs Act can be found HERE.
###
Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina's 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County) and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, where she serves as ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee.