Courtney J. Brunson
Updated: June 7, 2021
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The new normal must uplift Black businesses
By Courtney J. Brunson and Samuel M. Gebru
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted international markets, halted local and worldwide travel, affected the economic livelihoods of millions, and illuminated the stark reality of Black people across Massachusetts: many were one disruption away from closing their business’ doors or being laid off.
As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control loosens mask guidelines for the vaccinated and as Gov. Charlie Baker lifts coronavirus restrictions, residents have begun to rebuild with the aim of helping things “return to normal.” But normal never worked.
Long before the pandemic, Black businesses, organizations, and people in MA faced barriers in receiving equitable access to resources and economic opportunities. A May report from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation found closing the wealth gap in Black and Latinx communities would grow the economy by $25 billion over five years, the equivalent of adding 100,000 jobs.
We at the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts firmly believe “normal” should not be the standard policymakers and business leaders seek to achieve when passing legislation, enacting policies, and allocating state or federal dollars. BECMA’s 2021-2022 Massachusetts Black Economic Policy Agenda lays out our priorities to frame the discussions all business and policy stakeholders are having around the equitable recovery and growth.
Samuel M. Gebru
We first focus on the crucial investments needed for our businesses and entrepreneurs. Black and Latinx people own just 3% of Mass. businesses with employees, which is less than half the national rate. This low rate is partially due to the decreased provision of state contracts to Black and Latinx businesses in the past 20 years. To combat these significant discrepancies and level the playing field, funding resources available for Black businesses and entrepreneurs must increase.
Policies to increase such capital include the creation of a Mass. public bank and competitive grant programs to facilitate financing, funding for small business technical assistance, and the strengthening and broadening of the state’s provision of contracts to diverse businesses. Policy and advocacy must play a role in empowering our workers.
MassBudget notes workers in Massachusetts, as in the nation generally, have seen little to no wage growth since the 1980s. This has disproportionately affected Black workers. The Commonwealth’s workforce lacks ethnic diversity, especially those in the skilled trades. Workers need more information and opportunities to combat this reality.The compilation and release of wage and salary data from public and private employers would empower workers to fight for and receive better pay, and the expansion of funding to the Early College Initiative and the Career Technical Initiative would better prepare our workforce to address the needs of our economy today and tomorrow.
Community investment facilitates the success of our workers and businesses. From sustainable and equitable climate infrastructure to expanded and modernized public transportation, our workers and businesses need clean air to breathe, safe roads to travel, and a prosperous consumer base to thrive. BECMA is committed to promoting our policy agenda and pursuing other opportunities to create a “new normal” truly uplifting Black people, communities, and businesses.
Courtney J. Brunson is a policy advisor at the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts and Samuel Gebru is BECMA’s director of policy and public affairs.
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