Pa. Black businesses call on Shapiro to push back on Trump Administration attacks

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The African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE (AACC) is calling on Gov. Josh Shapiro to push back against what they see as Trump Administration attacks on Pennsylvania‘s diverse businesses.

The chamber noted the U.S. Dept. of Transportation‘s announcement in October that it has ended a decades-old program designed to address discrimination in government contracting. 

Regina Hairston, president and CEO of the AACC, released a statement joining the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC) and other stakeholders in calling on Shapiro to support diverse businesses as they say the Trump Administration seeks to further roll back protections put in place decades ago to put an end to discrimination in government contracting. 

“In May, the Trump Administration announced its intention to end the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, a decades-old program under the U.S. Department of Transportation put in place in 1983 to end discrimination in government contracting,” Hairston said in her statement. 

“Despite the Trump Administration previously defending the program, and proclaiming its support for diverse-owned businesses, on Oct. 3, the Trump Administration put in place an Interim Final Rule (IFR) ordering state transportation departments to discontinue their current DBE procurement programs arguing that gender and race should not be factors considered in the determination of disadvantage. They argue that businesses must instead demonstrate individualized social and economic disadvantage to participate in the program, without reference to race or sex. 

“We know that this rule not only undermines the integrity of the DBE program, but also undermines the work of the Shapiro-Davis Administration. Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania has championed small and diverse businesses by: 

• Spending more than $1 billion on contracts with small businesses, small diverse businesses, and veteran-owned business enterprises for a second consecutive year; 

• Prioritizing awarding more prime contracts to small diverse businesses rather than having them serve as subcontractors; 

• Increasing the amount of funding allocated to essential state programs such as the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Keystone Communities Program and the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program among other programs;  

• Working to connect diverse firms to wraparound business assistance, efficient certification verification, and access to mentorship, financing and capital;  

• And so much more.” 

Hairston said that in a Sept. 5, 2023, press release, Shapiro stated, ‘We need to do more to help our small and small diverse businesses compete for state dollars. That will require policies like those I’m announcing today, but most importantly, it will require a governor who gives a damn and makes sure these businesses are part of our collective progress. It’s not just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do. By supporting our small diverse businesses, we’ll not only grow our economy and strengthen our communities – we’ll also create more competition for commonwealth business and secure higher quality products and better results for all Pennsylvanians.'” 

Said Hairston, “We could not agree more with Governor Shapiro and that is why we are joining the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC) under the leadership of Chairman Napoleon Nelson and other stakeholders, in calling on Governor Shapiro to offer public comment on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania before the public comment deadline on November 3.” 

Hairston stated that a diverse business economy where everyone is able to compete equally benefits Pennsylvania. 

“When Black-owned businesses are given the opportunity to compete, they exceed expectations, generate much needed revenue for our economy, and as a result, are able to grow and scale their businesses which further benefits our commonwealth,” said Hairston. “The AACC stands ready with the PLBC to support the Shapiro-Davis Administration in ensuring Pennsylvania’s small and diverse businesses continue to have access to opportunities that uplift disadvantaged entrepreneurs and spur economic growth.”