Economic Inclusion

EDA: 31 Tech Hubs Designated Across America

As part of the President’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Commerce identified regional centers primed for technological innovation and job creation The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced the designation of 31 Tech Hubs in regions across the country. This is the first phase…

SBA: Record $3 Billion in Lending Announced to Latino-Owned Small Businesses

Number of SBA-Backed Loans to Latino-Owned Small Businesses Has Doubled Under Biden-Harris Administration Today, Administrator Isabel Guzman, the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 33 million small businesses, announced newly finalized Fiscal Year 2023 SBA data showing that the rate of SBA-backed loans to Latino-owned small businesses has now doubled under the Biden-Harris Administration,…

HUD: Inaugural Latino Task Force Launched During Hispanic Heritage Month 2023

Dedicated to empowering the Hispanic community and bridging disparities in housing, procurement, and hiring practices As we approach the end of Hispanic Heritage Month 2023, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officially announces its Inaugural Latino Task Force. This task force is part of a larger initiative across the Federal Government to…

SBA: 17 New Members Announced for Regulatory Fairness Board

Board Members Will Advise SBA on Federal Regulations Affecting Small Businesses On Sept. 28, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, addressed the SBA’s Regional Regulatory Fairness Boards at their annual meeting and welcomed 17 newly appointed board members.  The board…

HUD: $10.5 Million Awarded to Hispanic Serving Institutions for Housing Research Centers

Grant funding supports HUD’s commitment to diverse and equitable housing solutions, empowering underserved communities through research. Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $10.5 million in grant awards to four Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) to establish research Centers of Excellence (COEs) to conduct housing and community development research. HUD made the announcement at…

OCC: Executive Director for Office of Minority and Women Inclusion Announced

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced Shinu Shilesh as the Executive Director for the agency’s Office of Minority and Women Inclusion. In this role, Ms. Shilesh provides executive direction, sets policies, and oversees all agency matters relating to equal employment opportunity, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in management, employment, and…

HUD: Nearly $1 Million Awarded for Research to Close Homeownership Gap

Grants support efforts to address disparities in access to mortgage financing and homeownership for borrowers of color and other underserved groups Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced nearly $1 million in grant awards to conduct rigorous research focused on closing gaps in access to mortgage financing and homeownership faced by…

ABA: Eight Banks Win 2023 Community Commitment Awards

The American Bankers Association Foundation today named eight banks as 2023 Community Commitment Award winners. The annual awards recognize banks for extraordinary corporate social responsibility efforts in seven specific categories ranging from affordable housing to economic inclusion. The winners will be recognized at ABA’s Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn. on Oct. 10. The selection committee, made up of…

HUD: $25 Million Loan Guarantee Announced for Birmingham, AL Loan for Black, Indigenous, People of Color Fund

Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the City of Birmingham, Alabama a $25.2 million loan fund under its loan guarantee program for the Community Development Block Grant Program, Section 108. The City of Birmingham plans to use these funds to establish a $25 million citywide Loan Pool to provide financing…

SBA: Data Shows Major Increase in Loans to Black-Owned Businesses Since 2020

The number and share of SBA-backed 7(a) and 504 loans going to Black-Owned businesses more than doubled since 2020 Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), joined Congressman Steven Horsford at the 2023 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference today to announce new data showing the rate of SBA-backed loans going to Black-owned businesses…