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As Hispanic Heritage Month begins, it is important to reflect on the impact that Hispanic businesses have had on communities, the economy, and society. This annual celebration, running from September 15 to October 15, honors the rich cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, and remarkable achievements of the Hispanic community. It is also a time to recognize the vital role that Hispanic-owned businesses play in driving economic growth and fostering innovation.

While looking toward Hispanic Heritage Month, I came across a quote from Justice Sonia Sotomayor, “I don’t measure myself by others’ expectations or let others define my worth.” This powerful message speaks to the heart of what Hispanic Heritage Month represents—the strength to define one’s own path and the perseverance to rise above limitations. Hispanic entrepreneurs, visionaries, and trailblazers have consistently demonstrated this strength, driving progress and paving the way for generations to come.

Hispanic Heritage Month is not just a time for celebration; it is a call to action. It serves as a reminder that everyone has a role to play in supporting Hispanic-owned and minority-owned businesses, not just during this month but every day. Whether as a corporate partner looking to diversify a supply chain, a fellow entrepreneur seeking collaboration, or a consumer making purchasing decisions, support for these businesses is crucial.

The Council is proud to support and champion these businesses, recognizing the incredible value they bring to the table. You can view a full list of Hispanic Owned Businesses who are certified with The Council below. 

The Council remains committed to fostering a business environment where diversity is celebrated and opportunities for success are provided to those who are ready to take it. As Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated, let us all continue to define our own worth and rise above expectations.

Thank you for doing your part to contribute to a better future. I look forward to the new connections, inspiring stories, and collective growth this month will bring.

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Alison is a national style and image consultant with clients across the country. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and holds a Color certification from the Image Resource Center of New York. 

The purpose of her work is to empower women by creating a visual brand and transforming their style to ignite a new path of confidence and independence. She works with both private clients and groups.

Alison’s expertise is frequently called upon by top-tier publications including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, TIME, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Forbes, HuffPost, Bustle, Well+Good, Elle, Condé Nast Traveler, PEOPLE, InStyle, The Everygirl, Brides, Southern Bride & more, as well as public speaking engagements & podcast interviews. 

Delia Folk started her career in the fashion industry by interning in mens wholesale at Versace. After graduation, she worked at Barneys New York on the buying team in Cosmetics, Ready-To-Wear, and Jewelry for full price or off price channels.

While working in the buying office, she discovered and nurtured emerging designers, spotted the latest trends and gave insights into a career in the fashion industry. Delia is a sought-after speaker, having spoken on panels & given masterclasses at American Fashion System with ISEM, the Independent Jewelry Summit, Voray, ILOE Studios, Fairly Even Expo, and Flourish & Thrive Academy. She has also judged design competitions at NY NOW. 

About The Style That Binds Us

The Style That Binds Us, founded by mother-daughter duo Alison Bruhn and Delia Folk, empowers professionals and organizations through transformative style solutions. Our expert presentations and digital courses discuss the power of professional image to boost your company’s bottom line & increase employee confidence. Upleveling your team’s executive presence can improve negotiation & deal outcomes by millions of dollars. We help your team enhance productivity, leadership presence, and client relationships, ultimately driving measurable increases in revenue, efficiency, and competitive edge. 

What does being a minority business, or supporting minority businesses, mean to you?

Everything! Supporting minority businesses is absolutely crucial.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you were starting out in your career?

Trust the process.

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For more information on The Style That Binds Us, please visit: thestylethatbindsus.com or follow them on social media: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, X, or TikTok.

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Meet your entertainer for the 2024 Partnership Awards Gala—Reggie Woods.

Reggie is a masterful saxophonist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator. As a Queens, New York native, his sound was influenced by jazz legends Gene Ammons and Dexter Gordon, yet his soulful and unique style is entirely his own. While his sound is reminiscent of jazz legends, you will be moved by his distinctive, soulful expression. The sweet, mature tones of his tenor, alto, and soprano saxophones will leave your soul touched. Though jazz is his first love, Reggie brings a special quality to his live and recorded sessions across genres including rap, pop, funk, and blues.

Reggie has performed with renowned artists such as Najee, Isaac Hayes, Bill Saxton, Greg Osby, Bross Townsend, Jimmy Heath, Betty Carter, Doc Cheatham, Ben E. King, Aaron Hall, RUN DMC, Vanessa Rubin, Rhonda Ross, and Hank Shakley from Public Enemy. His performances span from international stages to domestic venues, including the Open Air Music Festival in Switzerland, Golden Image Awards, Newark Symphony Hall, Birdland, Iridium, Tavern on the Green, Fat Tuesday’s, S.O.B.’s, Knitting Factory, Flushing Town Hall, and the World Trade Center. His discography includes Movin’ In The Positive [Runard Records], Into The Woods [Muse], and Motion [RegReg Music]. He recently returned from a tour in Bern, Switzerland, where he performed with the Alvin Queen Quartet at Marians Jazz Room.

As a composer, Reggie’s exceptional writing and arranging skills have garnered the admiration of his peers. RCA/Novus Jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin selected two of his compositions, “Wait for Love” and “A Certain Love,” for her albums Soul Eyes and Pastiche, respectively. Reggie was also featured with Rhonda Ross, daughter of pop diva Diana Ross, and their collaboration was showcased on BET’s Jazz Central. In addition to these achievements, Reggie composed scores for two internationally acclaimed and award-winning independent films produced by Metropolis Pictures and the RADA Film Company, as well as for “Jeep Blues,” a play written by Roger Parris. He also composed the soundtrack for a PBS film special by Vanessa Roth, daughter of Tim Roth and screenwriter for Forrest Gump. Reggie received critical acclaim for his performance in “Let Me Off in Harlem,” a Vy Higginson Mama Foundation for the Arts production in NYC.

Currently, Reggie is the President and CEO of Woody Woods Workin’ Music LLC, and the founder and bandleader of Soul Street Band. For over two decades, Woody Woods Workin’ Music LLC has provided world-class entertainment for corporations, private parties, and a diverse clientele. As a self-proclaimed “Music Broker,” Reggie offers entertainment services that cater to various needs. Woody Woods Workin’ Music LLC is a member of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Westchester and Rockland County and a Certified Minority Business Enterprise of the NY & NJ Minority Supplier Development Council.

Most recently, Reggie has had global performances for Presidents, Kings, and Dignitaries alongside Celebrity Artists. The band has been featured on the Today Show Wedding Series, The Insider, and The Oprah Winfrey Show “Shalom in the Home – Lavish Spending.”

Reach Back Initiative

The development of a non-profit organization has been a long-standing vision for Mr. Woods. Reach Back is the culmination of his deep commitment to creating opportunities for underprivileged youth and young adults to learn music and embrace the creative arts. Reach Back aims to foster personal growth and development in all those it serves by providing access to resources and education. The organization is devoted to the guiding principles of accountability, empowerment, and love—principles that inspire positive change.

Reach Back is dedicated to serving underprivileged youth, men, women, and families who require access to resources and assistance in overcoming life’s challenges. We believe that tapping into an individual’s talent can unlock greater freedom to succeed. Our core belief is that community prosperity, hope, and restoration are achievable. Our purpose is to provide services and resources that promote wholeness within communities through awareness and direct support. It only takes a moment to change a life.

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Did You Know?

“The 2025 Presidential Transition Project is the conservative movement’s unified effort to be ready for the next conservative Administration to govern at 12:00 noon, January 20, 2025.”

This document, coordinated by the Heritage Foundation is not simply a “wish list of ideas”
Chapter 25 of Project 25, beginning on page 745, focuses on the strategies to transform the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) into the vision of conservative thought leaders and former government officials, outlining specific policy initiatives that the SBA should refocus their efforts and resources around under the incoming President.

Who Wrote It?
Just as it was structured in 1980, each section of this iteration of “Mandate for Leadership” is written by leaders in trade associations, think tanks, privately funded entities at universities, and nonprofit organizations that play an instrumental role in developing and promoting these ultra-conservative ideologies. It is important to note the organizations listed in the “Acknowledgements,” many of which have innocuous sounding names but drive policies that could be detrimental to your businesses and communities.

Project 2025 is more than just a policy blueprint. It is also includes robust recruiting, vetting, and staffing components designed to fill roles and begin implementing the policy initiatives on “day 1.” It is important to identify the authors of the agency chapters, as they are the people likely being positioned to take leadership roles in an upcoming Administration, at the same Federal agencies they are writing about, to implement these recommendations.

Karen Kerrigan is President and CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council and has advocated for entrepreneurship and global business growth for 28 years. She has been appointed to numerous federal advisory boards, including the National Women’s Business Council, and serves as Chair of the Small Business Roundtable.

If implemented, what would it do?
There are a number of proposed changes and improvements to SBA governance and management that are long overdue and have been hamstrung by the inconsistent funding and repeated attempts to reorganize the agency, as described in the document. Adopting procedures to reliably capture programmatic data, and greater transparency and accountability around IT investments, systems development, and security controls are all good governance models that should be applied at SBA and throughout the Federal government. Creating a “medium-sized business” category has been a goal of business advocates for decades, as it would foster business growth in size and capacity of firms and address the arbitrary limits to program eligibility created by the current “small vs other-than-small” structure. Further, proposals such as expanding the SBIR/STTR programs and developing strategies to increase domestic manufacturing would foster technological innovation and drive US global competitiveness.

However, there are also a number of proposals that will have a direct adverse impact on the small and diverse business community currently being served by the SBA. One of the primary overarching themes throughout Project 2025, in addition to gutting the federal workforce, is eliminating any program, initiative or office that promotes DEI from all federal operations including federal rules, agency regulations, contracts, grants, and legislation. This includes abandoning efforts to advance and legally defend affirmative action and DEI policies within military academies and federal minority contracting programs. This specifically applies to the programs and initiatives at the SBA that aimed at creating opportunities for contracting and capital access for minority-owned companies.

Eliminate the Community Navigator Pilot Program:
The Community Navigator program was created in 2021 to reduce the barriers faced by underserved communities in accessing SBA programs. The program provides $100M to 51 organizations and over 400 community groups across the nation to connecting small businesses to Federal, state and local resources by leveraging the networks and relationships within deeply trusted community-based organizations. The Project 2025 plan states that the creation of these “duplicative channels” for the delivering business training rather than working through existing counseling partners. Plan further states that the program is “largely duplicative of private, state and local government, and educational system offerings” even though these existing programs were not reaching the underserved and underrepresented communities targeted by Community Navigators and received significant
support from the Tri-Caucus, Members on the House and Senate Small Business Committees, and national business and advocacy organizations when it was announced.

End SBA direct lending and consider moving the disaster loan program to another agency:
While the SBA only makes low-cost direct loans in the case of businesses and homeowners recovering from a federally declared disaster, the proposal directs Congress to move the program to another agency and transition loan management to the private sector where the cost to the borrower is likely to significantly increase. The SBA EIDL direct loan program, administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA), offers long-term, low-interest loans to eligible small businesses, private non-profit organizations, and agricultural businesses that have suffered substantial economic injury because of a declared disaster. The proposal justified restructuring the program by highlighting challenges in the COVID-19 related loans despite the fact that it delivered almost $800B in 11.5 million loans to keep businesses afloat during the pandemic.

Expand the role and utilization of the Office of Advocacy:
The SBA Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) is an independent office within the SBA that serves as a repository of extensive research data, advances the interests of small businesses before Congress and throughout the Federal government, and is the primary body responsible for enforcing the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), which requires agencies to consider alternative ways to reduce the economic impact of their regulations on small entities. The Project 2025 proposal would double the budget of the Office of Advocacy and significantly increase its authority, turning from simply an advocate on behalf of small business and into a bottleneck and watchdog of regulations being proposed by all other Federal agencies.

The Project would “amend the RFA so that all agencies are required to provide a copy of any proposed rule along with initial regulatory flexibility analysis to the Office of Advocacy at least 60 days before a notice of proposed rulemaking is submitted for publication in the Federal Register.” While Advocacy was created to limit the burdensome and disproportionate economic impact some regulations have on small businesses, such a change could essentially weaponize the office as a tool against the protections and rules instituted by Federal agencies (e.g. food safety, worker protections, workplace safety, environmental regulations, etc.).

Another recommendation would increase the budget for Advocacy by approximately 50%, adding $4.6M to the current $10.2M budget in 2023, to hire 25 additional attorneys. This is a noteworthy goal but should not come at the expense of other programs within the already underfunded agency. The proposal recommends freezing or cutting SBA’s budget while, at the same time increasing the Advocacy budget, robbing Peter to pay Paul and undermine the ability for the SBA to meet the needs of the nation’s small businesses.

Conclusion:
Overall, Project 2025’s proposed policies could lead to reduced support, increased competition, and greater economic challenges for minority-owned businesses. The elimination of affirmative action and minority-focused programs, combined with broader deregulation and changes to labor laws, could create a more challenging environment for these businesses to thrive and compete. The proposal includes plans to abandon affirmative action and minority contracting programs that have historically provided critical opportunities for minority-owned businesses to compete for and secure government contracts. The attack of regulatory protections for minority businesses would remove protections that help ensure fair competition and prevent discriminatory practices. Finally, small and minority-owned businesses, already more financially vulnerable, are likely to face greater challenges in a market increasingly dominated by larger corporations with more resources.

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Did You Know?

On March 11, 2024, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released the Secure Software Development Attestation Form (SSDF), a common form that will help ensure the software producers who partner with the federal government leverage minimum secure development techniques and toolsets. The SSFDF is a document that software producers must complete to attest to the security measures and practices implemented in their software development processes. This form is part of the broader effort to ensure the security of software used by federal agencies.

Software vendors use this form to certify that they have taken specific steps to secure their software, including:

• Developing Software in Secure Environments: Ensuring the use of separate development environments, multifactor authentication, encryption, and continuous monitoring.
• Maintaining Trusted Source Code Supply Chains: Using automated tools or comparable processes to secure both internal and third-party code.
• Provenance of Code: Keeping a record of the origins of internal and third-party code.
• Vulnerability Management: Implementing automated tools or processes to detect and address security vulnerabilities continuously.

Alternatively, software producers can use a third-party assessment to demonstrate compliance. This
assessment must be conducted by a certified Third-Party Assessor Organization (3PAO) following
relevant NIST guidelines

This requirement applies to:

• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Providers: Companies that deliver software through continuous
  delivery or deployment models
• Commercial Software Producers: Vendors offering software products or services that are used
  by federal agencies.
• Software Developed by Contractors: Organizations contracted to develop software for federal use.
• Software Containing Third-Party Components: Vendors whose products rely on third-party or open-source software components must attest to securing these components.

If a vendor cannot attest to all the required practices, they must submit a Plan of Action and Milestones
(POA&M) detailing how they plan to address the gaps and the timeline for doing so. Failure to comply
with the attestation requirements can result in severe penalties, including loss of federal contracts and
legal consequences under the False Claims Act.

How could this impact your firm?
Small businesses that provide software and software support services will need to invest additional
time and resources into understanding and completing this form. This includes documenting their
software development practices, ensuring compliance with security standards, and potentially creating
new policies and procedures if they do not already exist. This could be particularly burdensome if the
company lacks dedicated cybersecurity staff. Compliance may require investing in new tools,
technologies (e.g. automated tools for vulnerability management or maintaining secure development
environments), training for in-house staff, or hiring certified third-party assessors.

A copy of the SSDF form can be found here.
A copy of the federal Register explanation of the form and rules governing its implementation can be
found here.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) over the SSDF can be found here.

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Did You Know?

The Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA) requires the
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to implement rules governing cyber
incident and ransom payment reporting requirements for “covered entities.” The rules, aimed
at improving transparency and information sharing about major cyber incidents affecting U.S.
critical infrastructure would require that covered entities report major cyber incidents to CISA
within 72 hours and report ransom payments within 24 hours.

The Notice of proposed Rule (NPR) identifies 316,244 “covered entities” that will be required to report under the cyber incident reporting law (CIRCIA) that span various critical infrastructure sectors, reflecting the broad scope of the rule’s applicability to enhance national cybersecurity resilience. Of these “covered entities, the vast majority – approximately 310,000 – are considered “small entities” by CISA. The term ‘‘small entities’’ comprises small businesses, not-for- profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of fewer than 50,000.

CISA estimated that the average cost per covered entity experiencing a single covered cyber incident
would be $4,139.60

Sector-Based Criteria
The NPR outlines specific “sector-based” criteria for determining which entities within critical
infrastructure sectors are considered “covered entities” under the CIRCIA, including:

• Communications: Entities providing communications services by wire or radio to the public,
  businesses, or government, including telecommunications carriers and internet service
  providers.
• Critical Manufacturing: Entities engaged in key manufacturing industries critical to national
  security and economic stability.
• Defense Industrial Base: Contractors and subcontractors who handle Controlled Unclassified
  Information (CUI) for the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Emergency Services: Entities providing emergency services to populations of 50,000 or more.
• Energy: Entities required to report incidents under NERC’s CIP Reliability Standards or the
  Electric Emergency Incident and Disturbance Report (OE-417).
• Financial Services: Entities with significant potential impact on the nation’s economic security.
• Government Facilities: Entities meeting criteria related to government operations, education, or
  election processes.
• Healthcare and Public Health: Entities involved in patient services, and drug and device
  manufacturers.
• Information Technology: Entities providing IT hardware, software, or services to the federal
  government, or involved in the development and maintenance of critical software.
• Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste: Operators of commercial nuclear power reactors or
  fuel cycle facilities.
• Transportation Systems: Entities involved in non-maritime transportation, or operators of
  vessels and facilities related to the outer continental shelf.
• Water and Wastewater Systems: Owners and operators of community water systems or publicly
  owned treatment works.

There are several levels (some quite significant) of penalties aimed at ensuring compliance and
maintain the integrity of critical infrastructure cybersecurity incident reporting system, including:

• Request for Information (RFI): CISA can issue an RFI to obtain more information from the entity
  that failed to report a covered cyber incident or ransom payment.
• Subpoena: If the response to an RFI is inadequate, CISA can issue a subpoena to compel the
  disclosure of necessary information.
• Civil Court Action: CISA can refer the case to the Attorney General, who can pursue a civil action
  in District Court to enforce a subpoena or address potential contempt of court.
• Suspension and Debarment: CISA can initiate procedures to suspend or debar the entity from
  federal contracts.
• Criminal Penalties: False or fraudulent statements in reports to CISA can result in penalties
  under 18 U.S.C. § 1001, which is a criminal statute.

Additionally, entities are required to preserve relevant data and records for two years from the submission date of their report. This includes communications with threat actors, log entries, forensic images, and any data related to ransom payments.

If you believe this proposed rule would affect your business, have questions concerning its provisions
or options for compliance, CISA has provided contact information to assist small entities in
understanding this proposed rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate
in the rulemaking.

The Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule can be found here.
The press release regarding the CISA Notice of Proposed Rule can be found here.
Visit cisa.gov/CIRCIA to learn more.

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Did You Know?

“The 2025 Presidential Transition Project is the conservative movement’s unified effort to be ready for the next conservative Administration to govern at 12:00 noon, January 20, 2025.”

This is the opening statement and clarion call from “Project 2025,” a conservative manifesto and blueprint for the policies that will dramatically shrink the infrastructure of the Federal government, drive deregulation, cut taxes to targeted communities, rollback social welfare programs, and implement judicial reforms to advance ultra-conservative values. This 900-page document is a rebranding of the original “Mandate for Leadership” that was presented to then President-elect Ronald Reagan in 1980 and served as the foundation for what was known as “Reaganomics.” It follows a similar format of the original document, serving as a collection of individual articles by conservative thought leaders and former government officials, outlining specific policy initiatives, agency-by-agency for the incoming President.

Just as it was structured in 1980, each section of this iteration of “Mandate for Leadership” is written by leaders in trade associations, think tanks, privately funded entities at universities, and nonprofit organizations that play an instrumental role in developing and promoting these ultra-conservative ideologies. It is important to note the organizations listed in the “Acknowledgements,” many of which have innocuous sounding names but drive policies that could be detrimental to your businesses and communities. Further, it is important to identify the authors of the agency chapters, as they are the people likely positioned to take leadership roles in an upcoming Administration, at the same Federal agencies they are writing about, to implement these recommendations.

The Heritage Foundation’s 1980 “Mandate for Leadership” and the “Project 2025” version of the “Mandate for Leadership” reflect the Heritage Foundation’s consistent commitment to conservative principles, advocating for limited government, free-market economics, strong national defense, judicial reform, “traditional values,” and deregulation across the Federal government. While many of the recommendations in the “Project 2025” update is intended to build on these longstanding conservative goals, implementing the recommendations in the document would have a significantly deleterious, and possibly existential impact on small and minority businesses given our current political, economic, and judicial climate.

Limited Government

• 1980: Emphasizes reducing the size and scope of the federal government by cutting federal spending, reducing regulations, and promoting privatization of government services.
• Project 2025: Continues to advocate for limiting government intervention (e.g. eliminating agencies or reducing the authority of anti-trust agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission, with regulatory oversight of corporations and consumer protections), significantly reduce the power and influence of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), promoting “decentralization of power” to states and local governments (e.g. eliminating the Department of Education), and reducing the size of the Federal workforce (e.g. career civil servants) by 50% within the first year and 75% over four years.

Economic Policies

• 1980: Advocates for significant tax cuts, deregulation, and free-market policies to stimulate economic growth and reduce government intervention in the economy.
• Project 2025: Maintains the focus on tax reductions (e.g. extends 2017 tax cuts), deregulation, and support certain free-market capitalism policies that would give a disproportionate advantage to large businesses over small businesses (market dominance, capital access, reduced regulatory oversight).

Judicial and Legal Reform

• 1980: Promotion of conservative judicial appointments and an originalist interpretation of the Constitution, along with tort reform to reduce litigation costs.
• Project 2025: Continues to advocate for the appointment of conservative judges, judicial reform to align with originalist principles, and reducing the influence of progressive legal interpretations. This has even greater implications given the recent Supreme Court decisions that eliminate racial considerations in higher education (Students for Fair Admission v Harvard; North Carolina), student loan relief, Clean Water Act, Presidential immunity, reproductive rights, etc.

Social and Cultural Policies

• 1980: Opposition to affirmative action and welfare reform and promotes “traditional family values.”
• Project 2025: Maintains a stance against affirmative action and other progressive social policies, while advocating for policies that support traditional values and reforming welfare programs. The proposal would eliminate any mandate that promotes DEI or makes references to sexual orientation and gender identity from all federal operations including federal rules, agency regulations, contracts, grants, and legislation. This includes abandoning efforts to advance and legally defend affirmative action and DEI policies within military academies and federal minority contracting programs.

Education

• 1980: Advocacy for school choice, including support for vouchers and charter schools, to introduce competition and improve educational outcomes.
• Project 2025: Eliminates the Department of Education and continues to promote school choice and policies that reduce federal control over education, especially regarding DEI policies, emphasizing local and parental control over educational decisions.

Environmental and Energy Policies

• 1980: Support for deregulating environmental protections to reduce compliance costs for businesses and promote energy independence through increased domestic production.
• Project 2025: Continues to advocate for reducing environmental regulations, promoting energy independence, and utilizing market-based solutions for environmental challenges. This would essentially overturn the Justice 40 Initiative as well as the policies and contracts implemented through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Further, this would have additional implications given the recent Supreme Court ruling to overturn the 50-year Chevron doctrine, eliminating the presumptive deference to Federal subject matter experts’ interpretation of legal statute.

Labor and Employment Policies

• 1980: Efforts to weaken labor unions, promote right-to-work laws, and reduce workplace regulations.
• Project 2025: Continues to support reducing the power of labor unions, promoting labor market flexibility, and reducing regulatory burdens on businesses. This includes outlawing public sector unions, elimination of prevailing wage laws and project labor agreements on federal projects, abolish federal overtime pay laws, and eliminating the federal minimum wage.

Overall, Project 2025’s proposed policies could lead to reduced support, increased competition, and greater economic challenges for minority-owned businesses. The elimination of affirmative action and minority-focused programs, combined with broader deregulation and changes to labor laws, could create a more challenging environment for these businesses to thrive and compete. The proposal includes plans to abandon affirmative action and minority contracting programs that have historically provided critical opportunities for minority-owned businesses to compete for and secure government contracts. The attack of regulatory protections for minority businesses would remove protections that help ensure fair competition and prevent discriminatory practices. Finally, small and minority-owned businesses, already more financially vulnerable, are likely to face greater challenges in a market increasingly dominated by larger corporations with more resources.​

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Did You Know?

On June 28, the US Supreme Court decided a case that overturned 40 years of precedent that has been in place since 1984. This precedent, referred to as the “Chevron Doctrine,” gave the power to interpret laws to subject matter experts in federal agencies who wrote the regulations to implement the law. As a result of this recent decision, Courts are no longer obligated to follow that Agency’s interpretation and can now give their own interpretation of the law or send the law back to Congress to rewrite.

This opens the door for legal challenges to any program implemented through regulation (including small business programs) that are not explicitly authorized in legislation. It also puts a wide array of health, environmental, and pollution standards, food and drug safety, workplace safety standards, financial services regulations, and education standards at risk of legal challenges if the specific standards were determined through regulation instead of explicitly outlined in statute.

This ruling essentially removes regulatory power from subject matter experts in Federal agencies that previously wrote regulations based on their interpretation of legislative language passed by Congress and places it in the hands of the Courts. The decision states that courts are better suited to determine what ambiguities in federal law may mean, even when those ambiguities involve technical or scientific questions that fall within an agency’s area of expertise. Further, the responsibility is now placed in the hands of Congress to draft legislation with very significant details and clarity, intended to avoid any ambiguity that could trigger a judicial review.

Reversal of the Chevron doctrine opens the doors for a significant increase in challenges to agency rule-making in wide-ranging policies regulating everything from energy, banking, and tax to healthcare, environment, workplace safety, etc. This shift in the agency interpretation and enforcement structure, with Congress being filled with elected officials who may not necessarily be technical or scientific, further empowers K Street lobbyists, who are subject matter experts, to play a more direct role in drafting legislation.

Key Points of this Decision:

1. Reevaluation of Deference: The Court emphasized that deference to agencies should not be automatic. It underscored the judiciary’s role in independently interpreting statutory language, especially when the language is clear and unambiguous.
2. Statutory Clarity: The decision reinforced the principle that if a statute’s language is clear, courts must give effect to the unambiguously expressed intent of Congress.
3. Limits on Agency Power: By limiting Chevron deference, the Court aimed to curtail what it perceived as overreach by federal agencies in interpreting laws beyond their expertise and statutory mandate.

Implications

1. Judicial Oversight: This decision reasserts the importance of judicial oversight over federal agencies. Courts are now expected to engage more deeply in statutory interpretation rather than deferring to agencies.
2. Impact on Agencies: Federal agencies are expected to face increased challenges in defending their interpretations of statutes, leading to a more rigorous scrutiny of agency rules and regulations, potentially slowing down the regulatory process.
3. Legislative Precision: The decision places greater responsibility on Congress to draft clear and precise legislation. Ambiguities in statutes are less likely to be resolved by agency interpretation, pushing Congress to provide detailed guidance within the legislative text.
4. Legal Uncertainty: The narrowing of Chevron’s deference is expected to lead to increased litigation as parties challenge agency interpretations more frequently, seeking judicial clarification.
   

Conclusion

The decision is likely to have a severe impact on the federal government’s ability to protect the public from all kinds of harm – environmental, economic, financial, social, etc. While some of the immediate impacts are clearer for agencies that have faced significant corporate push-back against their regulatory oversight, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), this decision will likely have far-reaching implications for agency interpretation of laws and application of regulations throughout the federal government.

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Angela Y. Leon is the Program Manager and Technology Implementation Specialist at Semirosas, LLC. With over 10 years of experience in project management, event coordination, and specialized training, Angela has a proven track record of delivering impactful solutions that streamline business systems, improve communication, and advance critical initiatives. She excels in driving operational efficiency and technological innovation for small businesses and nonprofits. 

Angela manages diverse projects from inception to completion, ensuring that each initiative aligns with business goals and meets stringent timelines and budget constraints. Her hands-on approach includes defining project scopes, monitoring progress, and serving as a liaison between executives, employees, and clients. This meticulous attention to detail and proactive communication has established Angela as a trusted point of contact for all stakeholders.

Beyond program and project management, Angela is a seasoned trainer, known for creating and facilitating workshops that equip businesses with the tools and best practices needed to thrive. From implementing CRM and task-management systems to developing standard operating procedure manuals and video tutorials, she helps clients systematize their businesses.

About Semirosas, LLC.

At Semirosas, we aid overwhelmed and understaffed companies that need help wrangling their projects to find relief and new confidence in a partner that cares about their business as much as they do. 

Businesses and nonprofits have day-to-day tasks, projects, and events that can be handled by remote teams composed of project managers and virtual assistants. We provide customized administrative, technical, creative, and event management services. Our training programs can also strengthen your current staff.

What does being a minority business, or supporting minority businesses, mean to you?

We are deeply committed to giving back to the minority business community and fostering inclusivity in various ways. 

We offer pro bono services in recognition of the challenges faced by small business owners—particularly in the aftermath of COVID-19—to support those who have been significantly impacted. We offer free services such as, creating registration portals for events and providing complimentary consulting on starting or scaling their businesses. By donating our expertise and resources, we aim to empower these entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles and thrive in their businesses. 

We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our organization and the broader business community. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. By embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive culture, we enrich our team dynamics, enhance creativity and innovation, and drive better business outcomes. 

Through these initiatives and ongoing efforts, we are committed to leveraging our skills, resources, and platform to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others; promote economic opportunity and empowerment; and contribute to

building a more inclusive and resilient society.

How has being certified with the NMSDC helped your business?

NMSDC certification has given me access to top-notch business education and resources.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you were starting out in your career?

I wish I had known how to better leverage my network for collaboration and opportunities.

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For more information on Semirosas, LLC., please visit: semirosas.com or follow them on Instagram or LinkedIn.

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Yuliya immigrated to the United States from Ukraine in the early 2000s, graduated college, and proceeded to lay the foundation to become a leader in her community and industry. 

In 2017, she established The Best Shades, LLC alongside her husband Marat Gimadiev. This venture was born from her passion for construction, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. Yuliya is a visionary leader with a unique blend of her dual Bachelor’s degrees in English and Business Communications. As a Ukrainian immigrant, Yuliya embodies the spirit of freedom of entrepreneurship and a self-made success through managing multiple businesses, and adeptly overseeing operations. Yuliya’s relentless pursuit of excellence has elevated The Best Shades LLC to an award-winning position, setting new standards for quality and innovation in the custom window treatment industry. Her leadership is underscored by a commitment to mentorship, aiming to guide and inspire others in business and construction areas.

About The Best Shades LLC.

The Best Shades is a Minority and Women Owned Certified Business providing and installing a comprehensive range of custom interior window treatments in the NYC Metropolitan area. 

With years of reputed presence in the industry, they are proud to service city, state, and government agencies, commercial clients, and private residences in New York and New Jersey. 

They are considered a one-stop shop for manual and motorized roller shades, blinds, shutters, drapes, curtains, sheers, window film, and more.

What does being a minority business, or supporting minority businesses, mean to you?

Being a minority business—and supporting others like us—represents the core of our community-building efforts. At The Best Shades, we’ve established the Community Window initiative specifically designed to uplift other MWBEs. Through this platform, we share vital resources, promote networking, and highlight opportunities that foster growth and collaborations between minority-owned businesses. It’s our way of contributing to a more diverse and inclusive business environment where every small business has the tools to succeed.

How has being certified with the NMSDC helped your business?

Certification with the NMSDC has been transformative for our business, opening doors to the corporate world that were previously out of reach. It has facilitated valuable networking opportunities, allowing us to forge new partnerships and participate in events that enhance our visibility. Additionally, the peer learning experiences and access to various resources have been crucial in refining our business strategies and accelerating our growth.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you were starting out in your career?

Looking back at the very start of my career, I wish I had understood the immense power of social capital earlier. The network of supporters, those who have navigated the path I aspired to tread, could have been pivotal from the start. Learning to cultivate and value these relationships is something I’ve come to appreciate deeply, as they are not just connections but cornerstones that support, advise, and propel you toward your goals in ways you can’t achieve alone.

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For more information on The Best Shades LLC., please visit: thebestshades.com or follow their Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.