Non-discrimination

The Agenda for New Mexico's entrepreneurs

Small Business Majority has created a comprehensive state policy agenda to ensure entrepreneurship is at the center of a thriving and inclusive economy in New Mexico. It’s critical that state lawmakers enact short- and long-term policies to support and empower entrepreneurs by guaranteeing their access to capital, an infrastructure that can support their ability to offer quality jobs, and their ability to compete fairly now and in the future. To achieve these goals, policymakers should consider the following policy proposals. 

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Submitted by Awesta Sarkash on Mon, 12/19/2022 - 11:02

Small Business Majority submits written testimony regarding efforts to preserve, protect, and expand programs targeting minority entrepreneurs

On May 6, Small Business Majority Founder and CEO John Arensmeyer submitted written testimony to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship detailing the disproportionate barriers minority business enterprises (MBEs) face and the recent attacks on programs targeting minority entrepreneurs, including the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) business development program and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).

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Submitted by Connor Coursey on Tue, 05/07/2024 - 13:40

Hyacinth Tucker, Founder and CEO of The Laundry Basket LLC, submits written testimony on the systematic discrimination faced by minority contractors

On May 6, Small Business Majority network member Hyacinth Tucker, Founder and CEO of The Laundry Basket LLC, submitted written testimony to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship outlining specific instances of discrimination her business has faced when seeking financing and federal procurement opportunities.

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Submitted by Connor Coursey on Tue, 05/07/2024 - 10:32

Brenda Doles, Co-Founder of HealthCare Resolution Services, Inc. submits written testimony outlining barriers to federal procurement opportunities

On May 6, Small Business Majority network member Brenda Doles, Co-Founder of HealthCare Resolution Services, Inc, submitted written testimony to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship regarding the need to address ongoing racial discrimination and the role of targeted federal business programs supporting minority-owned businesses. Brenda’s testimony outlines the importance of targeted federal programs such as the U.S.

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Submitted by Connor Coursey on Tue, 05/07/2024 - 10:30

Small Business Majority supports occupational licensing reform in Tennessee

On March 11, Public Policy Director Awesta Sarkash sent a letter of support to the Tennessee Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor in support of HB 1859, legislation which would remove barriers to licensed occupations for those with prior criminal records. This is a critical proposal that will help support aspiring entrepreneurs and workers with criminal records to access the licenses they need to be successful in the workforce or launch their own businesses.

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Submitted by Elena Ellingson-Cosenza on Mon, 03/11/2024 - 13:03

Small Business Majority testifies in support of occupational licensing reform

Today, Small Business Majority Colorado Director Lindsey Vigoda testified before the Colorado House Business Affairs and Labor Committee in support of House Bill 24-1004, legislation concerning justice-impacted individuals’ ability to receive authorization to work in state-regulated occupations. This is a significant proposal that will help support aspiring entrepreneurs and workers with previous criminal records, as they start and work at small businesses, increasing their economic opportunities and independence. 

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Submitted by Elena Ellingson-Cosenza on Thu, 02/15/2024 - 11:01

Unleashing untapped talent: How these North Carolina small business owners are spreading the word about the benefits of inclusivity

Posted: October 30, 2023

Sisters Lakila Bowden and Kamille Richardson are reframing disability and disproving myths that providing accommodations for differently abled employees is expensive and burdensome to businesses through their consulting company, iSee Technologies. 

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Oregon entrepreneur promotes sustainability inspired by her heritage

Posted: May 26, 2023

Growing up in India, Pallavi Pande ate her meals using banana leaves as plates. This sparked her passion for sustainability and being close to nature. Raising her family in Portland, Ore. inspired her to reconnect with her heritage and share this tradition with the western world.

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Small Business Majority Supports Expansion of Clean Slate in Pennsylvania

Today, Public Policy Director, Awesta Sarkash, submitted a letter of support to Pennsylvania's House Judiciary Committee for HB 689, legislation that would expand Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate laws and ensure people who have served their time get at second chance. With small businesses facing an acute labor shortage and 1 in 3 American adults having some form of criminal or arrest record, there are major opportunities to change barriers to employment that would benefit the small business ecosystem. 

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Submitted by Awesta Sarkash on Tue, 04/11/2023 - 14:56

Small Business Majority supports record clearing reform to address workforce challenges in Georgia

On February 22, Small Business Majority's Georgia Director Rachel Shanklin submitted a letter to the House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil Committee in support of HB 334, legislation that will expand record clearing, which will in turn increase workforce opportunities for Georgia small businesses.

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Submitted by Mayra Ordonez on Wed, 02/22/2023 - 12:19

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