Public Affairs
Policy Agenda
Envisioning a New Normal
Our Impact
Since our inception, BECMA has focused on the substantive role public policy can have in shaping opportunities for building wealth in Black communities across the Commonwealth. From 2015 to present day, our efforts to hold government accountable, secure long term policy solutions, and build strong partnerships have had an important impact on our community. These efforts include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Influencing Boston City Council legislation that established equitable procurement processes
- Collaborating with then-Councilor Kim Janey on legislation that established equity in the emerging cannabis industry.
- Inspiring the Saving Our Streets (SOS) Act, authored by then-Senator Kamala D. Harris and Representative Ayanna Pressley, which would have set aside billions of federal dollars for Black- and other minority-owned businesses and nonprofits.
- Leading the effort to make the state’s Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) an independent entity with a larger budget, increased capacity, and enforcement capabilities.
- Working with the Baker Administration to prioritize minority- and women-owned businesses in their grant-making process, ensuring that 100% of a $51 million grant fund was awarded to eligible businesses in these categories.
- Advocating for state legislation that will freeze the unemployment insurance (UI) rate schedule for employers in 2021 and 2022
Focus Areas
Moving Forward
BECMA advances policies for Black businesses, organizations and people that:
- Enable businesses to start and thrive
- Create 21st century workforce development opportunities
- Foster healthy people, families, and communities
- Prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators
- Support economic liberation and generational wealth creation
We achieve this work through researching, creating, and informing practices and policies that are rooted in accountability, community partnerships, and innovation.
For the 2021-2022 state legislative session, we are focused on promoting the following policy focus areas:
- Investing In Our Businesses and Entrepreneurs
- Empowering Our Workers
- Increasing Minority Representation
- Developing Our Communities
- Building Equitable and Sustainable Green Infrastructure
We achieve this work through researching, creating, and informing practices and policies that are rooted in accountability, community partnerships, and innovation.
