David Clunie, Alongside CUC Chair John Rogers and 13 Distinguished Leaders Appointed to Reconvened CUC, Develop Recommendations to Address Nation’s Pressing Challenges Affecting Underserved Small Business Owners.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – (December 7, 2021) – Today, U.S. Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman named Black Economic Alliance Executive Director David Clunie to serve on the reconvened Council on Underserved Communities (CUC) authorized under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Under newly-appointed Chair, John W. Rogers, Jr, Founder and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, David Clunie and the CUC will work to further the equity priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration by making programmatic and policy recommendations to Administrator Guzman and the SBA to increase access and opportunity across SBA’s programs and initiatives to help level the playing field for all of America’s entrepreneurs. With David’s focus on serving Black Americans, he is uniquely positioned to help the SBA in achieving its equity goals and deepening its relationships with entrepreneurs within the Black community.
“I’m honored to be selected to serve on the SBA’s Council on Underserved Communities,” said BEA Executive Director David Clunie. “At BEA, we know business ownership is one of the fastest pathways to wealth-building and is a key component to closing the racial wealth gap. This Commission’s work will help promote a more inclusive economy that proactively creates more opportunities for Black businesses to start and scale.”
“I look forward to relaunching the CUC and working with Chairman John Rogers, David Clunie, and our other newly-appointed members to support President Biden’s commitment to equity as we build our economy back better,” said Administrator Guzman. “An economic recovery for all of us means that we must do everything we can to help all of our small business and innovative startups emerge from the pandemic stronger and more resilient. And SBA is committed to ensuring our underserved entrepreneurs can access capital, markets and networks to grow their businesses.”
Through our Foundation, we have launched the Black Economic Alliance Entrepreneurs Fund to provide $50 million of seed, start-up, and early-stage capital to businesses founded and led by Black entrepreneurs. We know that too few Black entrepreneurs have secured the financial resources necessary to launch and grow successful businesses and our Fund will help bridge the gap in funding their endeavors.
Drawing from the nation’s most diverse and accomplished small business owners, community leaders, and advocates, Administrator Guzman’s CUC membership represents the voices and interests of America’s diverse small business owners, including those in disadvantaged groups such as women and communities of color. Together, the CUC’s members will work to promote public investment and policy formation to address the barriers facing underserved small businesses.
Read more about David Clunie’s fellow CUC members in the SBA’s full release here. Additional information about the CUC can be found at www.sba.gov/CUC. The SBA will announce CUC additional members in the coming weeks as well as the official meeting dates.
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About the Council on Underserved Communities
Initially established in 2010, the Council on Underserved Communities provides advice, ideas, and opinions on SBA programs, services, and issues of interest to small businesses in underserved communities. The 20 member federal advisory committee serves as an essential connection between the SBA and underserved small businesses to work towards creating new and insightful initiatives to spur economic growth, job creation, competitiveness, and sustainability across all communities.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
About the Black Economic Alliance
The Black Economic Alliance is a coalition of Black business leaders and allies committed to driving economic progress for the Black community through public policy, advocacy, and engagement with government and business leaders. Led by a board that includes executives from a range of industries including media, finance, pharmaceutical, nonprofit, and tech, BEA uses its collective power and business acumen to advance policies that will improve work, wages, and wealth for Black Americans. | https://blackeconomicalliance.org/
