On Friday, November 18, 2022, Congressman Al Green released the following statement:

“I thank Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development Don Cravins Jr. for meeting with me this week and for his partnership in advancing minority business initiatives. On November 15, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law my legislation, H.R.2689 – The Minority Business Resiliency Act of 2021, as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a signature piece of his domestic agenda that made historic investments in America’s roads, bridges, rail, and more. My legislation codified into law the Minority Business Development Agency at the U.S. Department of Commerce after existing via executive order for over 50 years,” Congressman Al Green said. “The Minority Business Resiliency Act of 2021 permanently established the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which is tasked with aiding in the growth and development of minority-owned businesses across our nation. By making the MBDA permanent, the U.S. will now be able to provide increased tangible aid to help minority entrepreneurs overcome historic barriers that have kept them out of business ownership for far too long.”

“For the first time in its fifty-three-year history, MBDA is a permanent Federal Agency thanks to the Minority Business Development Act, which President Biden signed into law one year ago this week,” said Donald Cravins, Jr., Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development. “This historic law mandates MBDA’s evolution into a leader for America’s businesses and entrepreneurs of color. We are building upon over five decades of work to expand economic access, break down barriers, and drive lasting, systemic change for the minority business community. To everyone who helped MBDA reach this point, especially our leaders in Congress like Congressman Green, thank you. To America’s minority business enterprises, to our future entrepreneurs, and to every American who is ready to achieve our Nation’s full economic potential, we won’t let you down.”