National Urban League, National Minority Supplier Development Council, and Public Private Strategies Institute Meet with Government Officials to Amplify Build Up Local

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, the Build Up Local coalition, comprised of leaders from the National Urban League (NUL), the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), and the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), met with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials to discuss tools and best practices to connect business owners with opportunities stemming from recent economic investments.

Build Up Local leaders met with:

• Secretary Jennifer Granholm of the U.S. Department of Energy, 
  
  
• Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States,
  
  
• Secretary Janet Yellen and Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo of the U.S. Department of Treasury.

* photos from these meetings are provided below

The meetings focused on ensuring recent economic investments – including the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS & Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act – are implemented equitably and effectively. In order to help meet the task, the groups have come together to launch the Build Up Local platform. This groundbreaking initiative aims to provide comprehensive support to business owners by offering guidance, education, and engagement opportunities related to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will soon expand to include resources on the American Rescue Plan, CHIPS & Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act. 

Marc Morial, CEO and President of the National Urban League, said:

"We are thrilled to be part of this important collaboration that leverages the power of partnerships to create real opportunities for diverse business owners. Build Up Local will provide the guidance and support necessary for these entrepreneurs to access the economic benefits of not only the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but also the President’s commitment of Investing in America, helping to close the racial wealth gap and build a stronger, more inclusive economy."

Ying McGuire, CEO and President of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, emphasized the significance of this initiative for minority-owned businesses, saying:

"Build Up Local represents a critical step towards ensuring that minority-owned businesses have equal access to the opportunities generated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other recent economic investments. By providing a centralized resource, we are empowering these entrepreneurs with the tools and information they need to access opportunities and thrive in the infrastructure sector and beyond."

Rhett Buttle, President of Public Private Strategies Institute, said:

“At Public Private Strategies Institute, we are committed to bringing the public and private sectors together to create an economy that works for everyone 

“Recent legislative investments, including the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS & Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, create a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a more inclusive, dynamic, and resilient economy – but only if these significant investments are implemented efficiently, effectively, and equitably.

“That’s why we’re so excited to partner with the National Urban League and the National Minority Supplier Development Council to launch Build Up Local, a centralized hub where business owners can access education, resources, networking, and other information to ensure the benefits and opportunity of these historic legislative investments are available to all.”

“This week’s meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials are all about bolstering that effort."

Caption: Build Up Local Coalition Leaders Marc Morial, Rhett Buttle, and Ying McGuire meet with senior leaders at the Department of Energy, Department of Treasury, and the White House

These meetings are just part of some of the conversations the partnership of Build Up Local organizations are having with both federal, state, and the philanthropic community. By facilitating access to information, resources, and networking opportunities, this platform is poised to empower business owners and promote equitable economic development.

For more information about Build Up Local and how it supports business owners, please visit builduplocal.org.

# # #

About National Urban League
The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment, equality, and social justice. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, the Urban League collaborates at the national and local levels with community leaders, policymakers, and corporate partners to elevate the standards of living for African Americans and other historically underserved groups. For more information, please visit nul.org. 

About NMSDC
Founded in 1972, NMSDC is the longest-operating business growth engine for the broadest group of systematically excluded communities of color (Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, and Native American), and our impact goes far beyond the supply chain. It’s about upward mobility for the emerging majority of Americans, an equal shot at participating in the American experiment of free-market capitalism and entrepreneurship. Our work is about correcting the unequal access to wealth-building opportunities. For more information, please visit nmsdc.org. 

About Public Private Strategies Institute
The Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) is an independent research and education organization. PPSI engages in educational activities concerning the public and private sectors’ roles in advancing societal change. PPSI explores best practices and trends through research, publications, and educational events. Additionally, it produces educational and informational content that will educate public and private sector actors about their capacity to be agents of social change; and conduct research into the existing landscape of public and private social responsibility and the potential for the future. For more information, please visit ppsi.org.