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About MBDA

The Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) mission is to promote the growth and global competitiveness of Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) in order to unlock the country’s full economic potential.

History

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) traces its origins back to March 5, 1969, when President Richard M. Nixon established it as the Office of Minority Business Enterprise. Through this action, President Nixon acknowledged the significant contributions of minority business enterprises to the nation's economy and overall welfare, thus establishing a federal agency exclusively dedicated to supporting minority business enterprises.

 

View our historical milestones that have pioneered opportunities for minority business enterprises.

MBDA's Pioneering Legacy in MBE Growth

View our historical milestones that pioneered opportunities for minority business enterprises.

From inception to unprecedented achievements, explore our transformative journey in fostering economic empowerment..

Early Years of MBDA

  • 1969

    History 1969

    President Nixon signs Executive Order 11458 creating OMBE and the Advisory Council for Minority Enterprise. OMBE and the Advisory Council partner with the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct the first Survey of Minority Business Enterprises.

     

  • 1973

    1973

    OMBE establishes a national business service network of business development organizations and provides seed funding to numerous minority advocacy organizations, such as the National Minority Purchasing Council (now known as the National Minority Supplier Development Council), Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Economic Development Association, Chicago Economic Corporation, and the National Council of LaRaza.

     

  • 1979

    1979

    OMBE became MBDA.

     

End of the 20th Century

  • 1981

    1981

    The Minority Business Development Center program was established and became MBDA’s primary method for delivering technical and management services to MBEs. MBDA served 94 Metropolitan Statistical Areas and an Information Center was created, which collected, published, and disseminated data and information pertinent to MBEs.

     

  • 1983

    1983

    President Ronald Reagan signed Executive Order 12432 giving the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Cabinet Council on Commerce and Trade, broad authority to oversee the establishment, preservation, and strengthening of federal MBE programs. President Ronald Reagan also signed a Presidential Proclamation designating the first week of October as Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week).

     

21st Century

  • 2009

    2009

    As the economy continues to present challenges to minority business enterprises, access to capital becomes a primary focus. MBDA plans several meetings with MBEs, financial services companies, and minority business community stakeholders to find ways to best serve the needs of MBEs during this critical time. Congress Passes Resolution Honoring MBDA’s 40th Anniversary.

     

  • 2021

    2024

    MBDA is made a permanent Agency and will be expanded and elevated with the passage of this historic legislation, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Joe Biden on November 15, 2021. Congress and the Biden Administration mandated the elevation of the MBDA as the leader for America’s MBEs. The Act grants MBDA a bold new mission to evolve and to both strengthen our efforts serving individual businesses and break down the systemic barriers holding back minority business enterprises.