Dear NMSDC Stakeholder,

Diverse businesses are a vital component of the American economy, contributing to key sectors such as green energy and advanced manufacturing. We recognize the importance of ensuring that diverse businesses have full access to the transformative opportunities presented by once-in-a generation investments like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS Act.

America's global competitiveness hinges on having all hands on deck, and depending on leveraging the talents and contributions of minorities, women, LGBTQ, veterans, people with disabilities, and other underserved groups in meeting our national potential.   

And yet, there has been a long-term political agenda to extinguish the role of diversity in America’s economic system and this is now the time to invest in building a new “strategic arsenal” to counter the use of the legal system to disenfranchise our communities.

Our minority business enterprises (MBEs) and supplier diversity as we know it are under assault from a purposeful, well-funded, and coordinated political strategy to block full participation for systematically excluded communities of color in economic life. Groups such as America First Legal Foundation, American Alliance for Equal Rights, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL), and others are pursuing a three-pronged political strategy intended to:

1. Completely dismantle the legal basis for programs and policies designed to promote inclusion and level the playing field for MBEs that we have fought so tirelessly for over 50 years. This includes government contracting preferences, corporate supplier diversity initiatives, workforce diversity, and related efforts.
2. Change the risk calculus for corporate leaders related to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, supplier diversity programs, marketing campaigns, and other activities.
3. Mobilize angry voters for the 2024 elections by creating talking points for candidates and parties and shaping the news cycle between now and November 2024.

This effort is well-funded and well-connected, and we will not stand by idle or silent as our corporate members and MBEs are under attack. The NMSDC network will take a leadership role in responding to these legal developments by implementing a three-pronged strategy:

1. Use the NMSDC network’s strong business voice to advocate and influence (create awareness and understanding). 
2. Be a leader in an effort to coordinate, strategize, and mobilize business voices (coalition building - engagement and alignment). 
3. Bring a business voice to the work of civil rights organizations (take action and advocate).  

This work will be done through the following workstream approach:

Workstream 1: Awareness & Understanding

Workstream 2: Engagement & Alignment

Workstream 3: Action & Advocacy

These are not the first attacks we’ve seen over the last 50 years, and they will certainly not be the last. Collaboration, clear communication, and targeted action are key to our success. By pursuing each of these streams in a thoughtful and coordinated way, we can amplify our voice and defend hard-won progress leveling the playing field for our MBEs.

This approach is responsive to the moment, leverages the NMSDC network’s unique position at the center of MBE and corporate member interest, and creates a framework that allows us to pivot when needed and tailor by region.         

You have the power of the NMSDC network behind you, to push back against these attacks and to garner public support needed to remind our elected officials of the importance of business diversity to the larger success of the U.S. economy and to effectively respond in the courts.

We envision an America where every entrepreneur, regardless of their background, has an equal shot at success. We stand ready to work with the administration, our coalition partners, and you, to turn this vision into reality.

Your thoughts are invaluable. Kindly share your perspectives on NMSDC's involvement in this topic by reaching out to us any time at advocacy@nmsdc.org.

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