BEST IN CLASS - Using America’s New Business Plan’s Four Pillars as a Model

There is an unprecedented opportunity for small firms and entrepreneurs to leverage a larger share of that commerce as the federal government seeks to increase the number of small firms into its procurement base. [...] POLICY IN PRACTICE: While the federal government aims to increase the number of contracts to small firms, small businesses of color continue to face disparities and barriers in federal contracting compared to non-minority firms. [...] is working to advocate for policymakers in Washington to support increased equity in small business financing and government contracting for Black-owned entrepreneurs (who continue to face barriers to entry). [...] • New Profit worked to create training programs for a learning cohort of advocates who worked to educate policymakers on the policies needed to improve access to one of the most lucrative sectors of the U. [...] Programs created to help small and underserved businesses work with the federal government include the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development program, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program through the Department of Transportation, the Minority Business Development Agency’s procurement assistance centers, and APEX Accelerators.