Last week, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Deputy Secretary Don Graves participated in the 41st Annual National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, where they honored the achievements of U.S. minority -owned business enterprises. Together they reaffirmed the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing economic equity and equality and ensuring that minority-owned...

Since taking office, the Biden-Harris Administration has created nearly 16 million jobs, unemployment among Latinos is at a record low, and Latino entrepreneurs have started new businesses at the fastest rate in over 25 years. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Secretary Raimondo and Deputy Secretary Graves participated in two events that both honored these achievements. They reiterated the...

Thank you, Eric, for your leadership, partnership and for being with us tonight. Thanks to Meeks, Green, Ivey. Michigan’s fantastic Lt. Gov. Garland Gilchrist. It is great to be together this week of the CBC Annual Legislative Conference. As we all know, the Biden-Harris Administration has been historic and productive for the American people. We’re making major investments in infrastructure. We’re...

Thank you, Eric, for that introduction, and for your continued leadership. Hello everyone, and welcome to the Department of Commerce! It’s such a pleasure to join you all here to speak about the efforts we’re undertaking to ensure that all Americans and businesses have the resources they need to succeed and thrive. Let me just start by saying, there has never been a more important time for this...

Since it was founded in 1969 by President Nixon, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has been committed to its mission of promoting the growth of minority business enterprises through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research. This mission is grounded in the knowledge that achieving the full potential of the U.S. economy requires that...

Achieving the full potential of the U.S. economy requires that every American entrepreneur can start and grow their business regardless of background. Yet some communities face disproportionate barriers to the resources needed to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. For example, the U.S. Federal Reserve found that more than half of Black-owned businesses were turned down for bank loans...

Last week, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Deputy Secretary Don Graves provided opening remarks at the Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) second annual AANHPI Business Summit . They reaffirmed the Biden Administration’s commitment to an equitable and prosperous future for Asian American (AA), Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (NHPI) workers, entrepreneurs, and businesses...

On April 4, 2023, the Department of Commerce Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships hosted a roundtable with National Chambers of Commerce leaders to streamline access to resources by unlocking whole of Commerce pathways to economic growth, entrepreneurship, and job creation. The conversation addressed critical opportunities on issues ranging from workforce development to access to...

Proposed Budget Supports Key Commerce Department Initiatives and Programs to Increase Access to Good Jobs, Strengthen Competitiveness in the 21st Century Today, the Biden-Harris Administration submitted to Congress the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2025. Following historic progress made since the President took office—with nearly 15 million jobs created and inflation down two-thirds—President...

Thank you, Manolo, for that introduction. Hello everyone! I’m thrilled to be here to speak with you all about the efforts being made across the Biden-Harris Administration, including over at the Department of Commerce, to support the economic growth and development of Puerto Rico. I’m so pleased to be joined here by Governor Pierluisi and Secretary Cidre, who you all just heard from. I’d like to...