Kamala Harris’ Opportunity Agenda for Black Men was rolled out in several key states on October 14, 2024, including North Carolina, Georgia, and Michigan. Specifically, the campaign included visits to cities such as Charlotte, Atlanta, and Detroit, with a focus on addressing economic, educational, and health disparities that impact Black men.
Highlights of Harris’ agenda include issuing forgivable loans of up to $1 million and $20,000 through partnerships with community-based lenders, as well as creating jobs in sectors such as technology and renewable energy. This includes expanding training programs.
In addition to expanding access to mentorship and training programs for Black men, another key aspect of Harris’ Opportunity Agenda is health equity, including limiting insulin costs and funding sickle cell research. It includes proposals for funding and support for mental health services, all aimed at reducing chronic disease. percentage in the black community.
The plan also includes federal legalization of marijuana. Harris frames the changes as an effort to reduce incarceration rates and create new economic opportunities for the legal cannabis industry.
Some believe that Harris’s targeted advocacy shows a real commitment to addressing issues specific to black men and dismantling the structural barriers that have historically limited opportunity in these fields. There is.
But others argue the policy was rolled out too late in the campaign, saying it was a last-minute appeal to win over black male voters amid concerns that support among black men was declining. I’m worried that it will be considered.
Reflecting this diversity of opinions, several Black business leaders shared their views on Harris’ policies.
Chandler Malone, Path Co-Founder and CEO
Kamala Harris’ Economic Opportunity Plan focuses on several key areas that are important for the future, but there are two that stand out to me the most.
One million fully forgivable $20,000 loans to Black entrepreneurs could be an incredible catalyst that hits very close to home for me. I started my first company with just under $20,000, ended up raising millions of dollars in venture capital, and the business I earned from that initial investment helped thousands of people go on to future mobile engineering careers. We have created an opportunity to secure this.
Currently, I am the CEO of Path. Path is an AI company focused on helping you achieve academic and professional success through standardized test preparation tools such as the ACT, SAT, LSAT, MCAT, CompTIA, and AI Genius. Working at the intersection of AI, education, and the workforce, I understand how automation and globalization are reshaping the labor market, making it even harder for all Americans to compete and thrive, and how automation and globalization are reshaping the labor market, making it even more difficult for all Americans to compete and thrive, and improving education, training, and leadership We see it every day creating an urgent need for programs. mentioned in her plan
Like many people, I am very intrigued by the nuts and bolts of the plan and am curious to see how her plan will take shape. For this to be truly successful, we need to leverage the expertise of Black entrepreneurs and nonprofits who are already achieving real results.
Those of us on the front lines are building opportunities despite these systemic challenges. If Harris’ plan strengthens and expands on efforts that are currently working, it has the potential to spark meaningful, long-term change for our nation.
ASTON, PA – OCTOBER 23: Democratic presidential candidate and US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the CNN Presidential Town Hall at Sun Center Studios on October 23, 2024 in Aston, Pennsylvania. Less than two… ASTON, PA – OCTOBER 23: Democratic presidential candidate and US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the CNN Presidential Town Hall at Sun Center Studios on October 23, 2024 in Aston, Pennsylvania. With less than two weeks until Election Day, Harris spent the day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, visiting the famous Fourth Avenue Delicatessen to greet supporters. Other Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Jordan L. Walker, Backtrack, Yac Co-Founder and CEO
Kamala’s policies, which provide 1 million forgivable loans to Black men, legalize recreational marijuana, and fund education and mentorship programs specifically aimed at Black men, will help me and many other Black men. To many, it seems insulting, disrespectful, patronizing, and divisive.
I won’t mislead her about the possibility that these are well-intentioned, but these policies diminish the hard work and excellence of founders like me and encourage founders of all races. Something that grossly fails to meet needs, can be construed as racist, and that allows Black people to achieve success that they cannot achieve on their own and can only be achieved through government intervention rather than through hard work, grit, and merit. By framing it as such, you are hurting many others.
Loan forgiveness specifically for Black founders is divisive, implying that Black founders cannot succeed without benefits and philanthropy. In my own experience, I worked very hard to raise money for my business, worked for years for free, and went to great lengths just to get a chance.
Giving someone a $20,000 stipend can give them a false sense of reality that hard work isn’t necessary, which can hurt your business as a result. I and many other black people I know don’t want or need charity.
Moreover, Kamala’s new position on marijuana legalization cannot be ignored and is downright hypocritical. She has previously jailed people, especially black men, for minor drug offenses. Now, her attempts to backtrack in support of legalization feel like a disingenuous attempt to gain support without addressing the harm her past actions have done to Black people.
I’m a strong believer in the value of mentorship and education, and I’ve mentored other startups, collaborated with school programs, and am a mentorship sponsor myself. Blanket policies that target only certain groups end up marginalizing other worthy individuals and reinforcing negative stereotypes.
I know founders of all races and backgrounds who are in need of guidance and education. Starting a company is extremely painful and difficult no matter how it looks, and everyone will need help along the way. I believe that a successful long-term mentorship program is based on a system that rewards everyone’s hard work and innovation.
At the end of the day, my point is that these policies and supports should be available to everyone, regardless of race. Mentorship should be available to all founders who need it. As someone who has spent many years working for free, spending many late nights and early mornings, and giving my all to my work, I believe that founders should strive to be great in their own way. Masu.
Mark Washington, Founder and CEO of Supergut
As a Black founder and small business owner, I am clearly paying attention to policies that can impact the environment for emerging small businesses, especially those that impact underserved communities. I am.
In that context, I believe that Vice President Harris’ Opportunity for Black Men Agenda will address some of the economic challenges prevalent among small business owners and create opportunities for underserved communities. We are very optimistic that this can have a significant positive impact.
In my opinion, small businesses are the engine that drives our economy and more needs to be done to create an environment that encourages entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.
Unfortunately, too often many small business owners, especially those in minority communities, lack support and funding. The statistics regarding funding for Black business owners are nothing short of depressing, with Black-founded startups currently receiving less than 0.5% of venture capital funding.
I have raised venture capital from several major venture capital firms for a company called Supergood, but my experience is the exception rather than the norm as most black founders are not given similar opportunities. .
Clearly something needs to be done. Given that a key tenet of Vice President Harris’ economic development tour is to increase access to capital through investment and lending, this is an important step toward increasing entrepreneurship, especially among underrepresented Black entrepreneurs. I believe it will be very beneficial in supporting the economic engine of the country.
Additionally, proposed investments aimed at improving education, training and economic mobility, if implemented effectively, have the potential to improve the environment for business owners and the communities we serve.
Expanding the next generation of skilled workers is beneficial for small businesses like mine that are always in need of top talent. Also, closing the racial wealth gap and improving economic mobility for underserved communities will lead to increased consumer demand for our products and services.
Kyle Samuels, Founder and CEO, Creative Talent Endeavors
Kamala Harris’ economic plan is ambitious and positive for all Americans, with Black men in mind. Fully forgivable loans are a game changer. We’ve been dealing with a systemic blockade on access to capital for years, and this is one way to break down that barrier. An opportunity to channel money where it’s needed most so that Black men can build businesses that have roots in their communities? I totally agree.
Additionally, there is a movement to bring black men to the table and legalize recreational marijuana. This is a big deal considering how long we have been unfairly targeted. Giving us the opportunity to participate in this industry flips the script. It will empower places where we have been shut out and punished for decades.
As CEO of Creative Talent Endeavors, I’ve been fighting to change an industry that is often exclusive and outdated. Harris’ plan brings the same fresh approach to black men in business, education and even health. This isn’t just about loans. It’s about giving black men the tools to make real change, not just for themselves, but for all who come after them.
