The Council is composed of nine private sector members and one representative from each of the ten Federal agencies that support business formation, labor development, monetary policy, national security, energy, agriculture, transportation, and housing. Members of the Council serve a two-year term and may be reappointed.
The Council will advise the leadership of the Agency by:
- Serving as a source of knowledge and information on developments in areas of the economic and social life of the United States that affect socially or economically disadvantaged business concerns; and
- Providing leadership with information regarding plans, programs, and activities in the public and private sectors related to socially or economically disadvantaged business concerns.
Minority Business Enterprise Advisory Council Members
Private Sector Members
- Janice Bryant Howroyd, CEO of ActOne Group
- Ron Busby, President and CEO of U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.
- Harry E. Johnson, Sr., President and CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation
- Ying McGuire, President and CEO of the National Minority Supplier Development Council
- Frances Perez-Wilhite, Program Manager of the North Carolina Military Business Center
- Kip Ritchie, CEO of the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation
- Rosa Santana, Founder and CEO of the Santana Group
- David Steward, Chairman and Founder of World-Wide Technology
- Melanie Matter Welsh, Executive Director of Alaska Unlimited
The Council will also include representatives from the following Federal agencies:
- Federal Reserve System
- S. Department of Agriculture
- S. Department of Defense
- S. Department of Energy
- S. General Services Administration
- S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- S. Department of Labor
- S. Small Business Administration
- S. Department of Transportation
- S. Department of Treasury
Ron Busby, Sr., President and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., released the following statement in response:
“As the representative in Washington for millions of Black-owned businesses across the country, I am honored to be named to this council and provide a voice for Black enterprises. The MBDA’s commitment to minority-owned businesses will be able to reach new heights through this council, as we bring many voices to the table under a common banner of entrepreneurship. I look forward to amplifying the MBDA’s impact and mission to create a strong and equitable economy that gives every American a shot at building a successful business.”
As stated in The Minority Business Development Act of 2021, this council will advise and assist MBDA in its mission to promote the growth of minority-owned businesses. The Council is composed of nine private sector members and one representative from each of the ten Federal agencies that support business formation, labor development, monetary policy, national security, energy, agriculture, transportation, and housing.
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About the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.
The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) provides committed, visionary leadership and advocacy in the realization of economic empowerment. Through the creation of resources and initiatives, we support African American Chambers of Commerce and business organizations in their work of developing and growing Black enterprises. Learn more at www.usblackchambers.org.