WASHINGTON, DC (March 12, 2024)—The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) issued the following statement on the recent Nuziard v. MBDA Ruling.
Last week, a Texas federal court judge ruled that the U.S. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) must be open to all businesses and races. This is yet another example of how critical diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and initiatives continue to be under attack despite government evidence that minority businesses have far less access to capital and credit than their white counterparts due to racial discrimination in lending markets.
Created by President Nixon 55 years ago and now authorized by a bipartisan coalition in Congress and codified by the Biden Administration, MBDA has been committed to providing the programs, services and initiatives needed for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses to achieve economic success and prosperity. Minority Business Enterprises (MBES) are fast-growing, innovative, and represented in every industry sector in the U.S. MBEs directly contribute to the U.S. economy and account for the creation of millions of jobs. Expanding economic access for MBEs benefits all Americans. According to MBDA, 9.2 million MBEs generate more than $1.8 trillion in revenue annually for the U.S. economy.
AMAC stands proudly with our partner MBDA as it explores its options in this case. AMAC will continue to relentlessly pursue our mission of advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. As an open letter to business leaders shared, “We call on CEOs in the aerospace and aviation industries to maintain and expand their diversity initiatives. A critical part of the ecosystem is minority- and women-owned businesses that support infrastructure growth and accelerate local economic development and American global competitiveness. As we face challenges, it is imperative that we advance policies and practices that ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities. Together, we are building a legacy of inclusivity and strength that will benefit future generations.”
—Eboni Wimbush, Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) President & CEO
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About the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)
The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) is the only national, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. Since 1984, AMAC has been at the forefront of nearly every national policy initiative impacting the participation of disadvantaged businesses in airport contracting. AMAC works consistently with Congress, the federal government, aviation trade associations and strategic partners as resources for information, education and guidance on business and employment matters. AMAC represents a diverse membership of airports, corporations, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises, and professionals within the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information, visit www.amac-org.com.
