We must acknowledge a compelling, powerful truth: Black Americans have spent more time in slavery than they have as emancipated people — almost a century more in slavery than in freedom.
The Black Economic Council of Massachusetts was organized in 2015 to develop policies and programs to improve the economic well-being of Black businesses, organizations, and individuals in the Commonwealth. BECMA’s Black Economic Policy Agenda is simple but comprehensive. It’s focused on four areas: investing in Black businesses and entrepreneurs, empowering workers and leaders, developing students and tomorrow’s workforce, and building an equitable and sustainable green infrastructure.
The recommendations are concrete, including specific bills that need passing — such as House Bills H.3166 and H.3167 that would expand opportunities for minority and women businesses in public contracting and construction — as well as funding that needs to be secured. We need leadership in Boston City Hall to commit to and, more important, champion the recommendations to move our city forward
To read more of the Op-ed by our board members Herby Duverné, Lee Pelton, Darryl Settles, Richard Taylor, and Teri Williams, click here.
