Honorable Maria Cantwell
Chair, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation
254 Russell Senate Building
Washington DC, 20510
Honorable Roger Wicker
Ranking Member, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation
512 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510
Dear Chair Cantwell, and Ranking Member Wicker:
The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) is thrilled regarding the news of Mr. Donald (Don) R. Cravins, Jr. nomination to fill the newly established position of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development (MBDA) of the Department of Commerce.
NMSDC has been advocating access to the American dream for Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) for 50 years. Our certified MBEs generate $396 billion economic activity annually and support 1.75 million U.S. Jobs directly and indirectly. We have worked closely with Mr. Cravins in his current role as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of National Urban League where we have created a meaningful partnership. We look forward to the opportunity to work alongside Mr. Cravins on our road to $1 trillion in MBE annual revenue generation (4.3% of US GDP), and in achieving our shared goal of providing new resources and opportunities to minority businesses across the country to close the racial wealth gap for systematically excluded communities of color. We are confident that his appointment will fill a much-needed role at both the MBDA and the Department of Commerce. His years of experience in serving underserved communities make him an ideal candidate for the position.
The establishment of this position comes as a provision of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal that passed last November, which established the MBDA as a permanent agency within the Department of Commerce. The bill also increased the grant-making capacity of the MBDA and authorized the new Under Secretary to coordinate a Federal MBE Certification program.
Accordingly, as you ponder this crucial decision, that will take us forward together as a country, we endorse Mr. Donald R. Cravins, Jr. to join you on this journey. We appreciate your time and consideration on this critical matter.Best Regards,
Ying McGuire
CEO and President
National Minority Supplier Development Council
