Economic fairness for people of color consists of the capacity of all people to earn a decent living and the health of discussing money, business, entrepreneurship, developing capital, running successful innovative businesses and attaining leadership positions in various and numerous business industries. The health and wealth of Black communities depends on the attainment of education and understanding and leveraging economic resources.

Knowledge

TBI has research to present real evidence of the struggles faced by M/WBEs. Through these reports, TBI has been able to have more substantial discussions with lawmakers and other advocates in the quest to ensure they have access to better resources.

• Not Good Enough: The Myth of ‘Good Faith’ and ‘Best Efforts’ / Report on Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses
• Access Denied: MWBE Capital and Credit Discrimination in New York
• The One Percent Solution: Unlocking Access to Capital for New York’s Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses

Leadership

In 2015, TBI held a series of town hall meetings in partnership with elected officials and other advocates to discuss how to provide more resources to minority and women owned business enterprises. TBI also held forums in Albany to educate state lawmakers on the issues affecting M/WBEs in 2016. These listening sessions helped educate both lawmakers and the public understand the importance of M/WBEs in the state and the challenges that they face.

Community

TBI has been an important advocate for minority and women owned business enterprises and has campaigned New York City and State to provide better resources for M/WBEs. In 2015, a TBI campaign on the issue resulted in a commitment from the city to award $16 billion in contracts to M/WBEs over the next ten years. The campaign also resulted in the appointment of a senior advisor for M/WBEs and establishment of the Emerging Developer Loan fund to provide low-interest loans on New York City-based development projects.