SBA Southeast Region 

From the Desk of Allen Thomas, Region IV Administrator

Juneteenth and Beyond “Juneteenth National Independence Day” became a federal holiday in 2021. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the US and is observed annually on June 19. Historically, the first official Juneteenth celebrations took place in Texas, and it became a state holiday in 1980. Soon after, other states followed suit. As we celebrate Juneteenth this year, let’s take some time remember that we have a lot of work ahead of us. The SBA has an equity initiative in place to reduce barriers and improve access to the following resources: Capital Access Federal Government Procurement and Contracting Opportunities Disaster Assistance Business Counseling, Training, and Services SBA’s mission to work with a wide diversity of businesses across America and the broad way those companies need to access a diverse set of services to get where they need to be – SBA’s equity plan ensures we’re reaching those businesses that need help accessing the resources available to them. Below is a message on the topic of Juneteenth and Beyond authored by my colleagues Vercie Lark, Region 7 Great Plains Administrator and Ted James, Region 6 South Central Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration. I am proud to share this message with you in Region 4.  Read Now

SBA Signs a Strategic Alliance Memorandum with the D9

U.S. Small Business Administration Announces Landmark Collaboration with Historically Black Fraternities and Sororities to Address the Wealth Gap Through Black Entrepreneurship

First of its Kind Agreement That Will Focus on Improving Financial Literacy, Outreach, and Capital Access Opportunities Across Communities.

Pictured: Chris Rey, President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; Isabella Casillas Guzman, SBA Administrator; Allen Thomas, SBA Region IV Administrator; and Warren Miller, SBA Senior Advisor for Office of Disaster Assistance.

Photo Credit: Brandon Williams, SBA photographer.

Announced in the leadup to Juneteenth, this new strategic alliance advances the SBA’s implementation of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to building equity throughout the federal government and across America. Under the new alliance, a unique agreement for a federal government agency, the partnership will focus on increasing financial literacy within traditionally underserved, disadvantaged communities, expanding the Agency’s outreach, and introducing Black entrepreneurs to the SBA’s suite of tools and resources to start and grow their businesses including access to capital, government contracting opportunities and counseling.

Read the Full Release.