Press Releases

Today, Congressman Wiley Nickel (NC-13) and Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced the Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs Act to level the playing field for minority-owned businesses.

The Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs Act would expand Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers near historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs), and other minority-serving institutions. Doing so will help create a network of accessible business resources to help young, diverse entrepreneurs succeed. 

“We need to level the playing field in North Carolina to ensure that underrepresented entrepreneurs have a seat at the table,” said Congressman Wiley Nickel. “I’m proud to introduce the Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs Act alongside Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus Chair Congresswoman Alma Adams to ensure that diverse communities and small business owners have access to the federal resources they need to thrive.”

"It just makes sense for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers to provide services near HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions. HBCUs play an outsized role to support the economic mobility of African Americans – from the high percentages of engineers, teachers, doctors, and judges in their alumni ranks to the number of prospective entrepreneurs they matriculate. Research shows that 93% have an option for undergraduates to major in business, 75% offer entrepreneurship courses, and 38% offer a Master of Business Administration. By expanding centers into these neighborhoods, the MBDA is creating a pathway for businesses to succeed from inception to execution." – Rep. Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Founder and Co-Chair, Bipartisan HBCU Caucus

As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, Congressman Nickel has been working on expanding economic growth and opportunity, increasing access to capital, creating good, high-paying jobs, bringing down costs, lowering the cost of living, supporting the small business ecosystem in NC, and building an inclusive economy that works for everyone.

Congressman Nickel is also a member of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. The caucus works to promote and protect the interests of HBCUs by creating a national dialogue, educating Members of Congress and their staffs about the issues impacting HBCUs, drafting meaningful bipartisan legislation to address the needs of HBCUs, and supporting students and graduates of HBCUs by increasing access and career opportunities.

Full text of the Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs Act can be found HERE.