WASHINGTON, DC (October 18, 2024) – The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) issued the following statement on the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky’s issued opinion in the case filed against the U.S. Department of Transportation by Mid-America Milling Company, LLC and Bagshaw Trucking, Inc.
“The Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky issued a narrow preliminary injunction suspending the use of race and gender in the case filed by Mid-America Milling Company, LLC, and Bagshaw Trucking, Inc. against the U.S. Department of Transportation. While the ruling only applies to the two firms that filed the suit and the contracts they bid on, it raises significant concerns regarding the impact on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program nationally.
The DBE program is designed to remedy ongoing discrimination and the continuing effects of past discrimination against minorities and women. DBEs have earned almost $34 billion through federal transportation contracts in the past five budget years, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
As we know, our airport members serve as dynamic hubs that provide essential transportation services, stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and contribute significantly to the prosperity of local communities and the broader national economy. 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.
The implications of this ruling warrant careful consideration, as it could have lasting effects on the viability of the DBE program and the broader goal of fostering equitable economic opportunities for all businesses.
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. The AMAC Government Affairs Committee has updated its operating model to focus on a strategy that focuses on education, advocacy, activation, and strategic partnerships.
We call on CEOs in the aerospace and aviation industries to maintain and expand their diversity initiatives. 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, and Ricky Smith, Chair, AMAC Board of Directors; CEO, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport