Kamala Harris”Black Men’s Opportunity Agenda” was launched on October 14, 2024, in several key states, including North Carolina, Georgia and Michigan. In particular, the campaign included stops in cities such as Charlotte, Atlanta and Detroit, with a focus on the address economic, educational, and health disparities affecting black men.
Key aspects of Harris’ agenda include issuing up to one million $20,000 forgivable loans through partnerships with community-based lenders and expanding job training programs in fields such as technology and renewable energy.
In addition to expanding access to mentoring and training programs for Black men, another key aspect of Harris’ Opportunity Agenda is health equity, with proposals to limit the costs of insulin, fund sickle cell research and support mental health services, all aimed at reducing chronic disease. taxes in Black communities.
The plan also includes the federal legalization of marijuana — a change Harris touts as an effort to reduce incarceration rates and create new economic opportunities in the legal cannabis industry.
Some believe that Harris’ targeted disclosure it signals a genuine commitment to addressing issues specific to Black men and dismantling the structural barriers that have historically limited opportunities in these areas.
However, others argue that the rollout comes too late in the campaign, and worry that the policies may be perceived as a appeal at the last minute to win over black male voters amid concerns about declining support in this demographic.
Reflecting these differing opinions, several Black business leaders shared their perspectives on Harris’ agenda.
Chandler Malone, Co-Founder and CEO, Path
Kamala Harris’ economic opportunity plan hits on some key areas that are critical for the future, but two areas stand out the most to me.
The 1 million $20,000 fully forgivable loans to black entrepreneurs could be an incredible catalyst that also hits close to home. I launched my first company with just under $20,000, and ultimately went on to raise millions in venture capital and create opportunities for thousands of people to secure upwardly mobile tech careers through business from that initial investment.
I am currently the CEO of Path, an AI company focused on empowering academic and professional success through our standardized test prep tools – think ACT, SAT, LSAT, MCAT, CompTIA, and AI Genius. Working at the intersection of AI, education and the workforce, I see every day how automation and globalization are reshaping the job market, making it even harder for all Americans to compete and thrive , creating an urgent need for education, training and mentoring programs. mentioned in his plan
I, like most, am very intrigued by the key points of the plan and curious to see how his plan takes shape. For this to really succeed, it will be necessary to take advantage of the expertise of black entrepreneurs and non-profits that are already driving real results.
Those of us on the front lines are building opportunities despite these systemic challenges. If Harris’ plan empowers and amplifies the work that is currently driving successful results, it has the potential to spark significant, long-term change for our country.
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Jordan L. Walker, Co-Founder, Backtrack, Yac
Kamala’s policies – providing 1 million forgivable loans for black men, legalizing recreational marijuana, and funding education and mentoring programs specifically for black men – come to me, and many other blacks like insulting, disparaging, patronizing and divisive.
While I will give them the benefit of the doubt that these things may be well-intentioned, these policies diminish the hard work and excellence of founders like me, severely undercut the needs of founders of all races, they can be interpreted as ‘and racists, and hurts many others by incriminating success for blacks as something they cannot achieve on their own, but achieved only through government intervention rather than hard work, grit and merit.
Forgivable loans specifically for only black founders is divisive and implies that black founders cannot succeed without hands and charity. In my experience, I have worked extraordinarily hard to raise funding for my business, worked for free for years, and put in extremely long hours just to have an opportunity.
Giving someone a gift of $20,000 can give them a false sense of reality, indicating that hard work is not necessary, which could in turn damage their business down the line. I and many other Black people I know do not want or need charity.
Also, Kamala’s new stance on the legalization of marijuana cannot be ignored and is quite hypocritical. He once jailed people, especially black men, for minor drug offenses. Now, he’s trying to walk backwards in support of legalization and it feels like a disingenuous attempt to gain support without addressing the damage his past actions have caused to black people.
While I strongly believe that mentorship and education are valuable—I mentor other startups, I’ve worked with school programs, and I’ve been a benefactor of mentorship myself—blanket policies that only target specific demographics alienate other deserving people and they reinforce bad stereotypes.
I know founders of all races and backgrounds who need mentoring and education. Starting a company is extremely painful and difficult, no matter what it looks like, and everyone needs help along the way. I believe that a successful long-term mentoring program is founded on systems that reward hard work and innovation for everyone.
Ultimately, my point is that these policies and types of support should be available to everyone, regardless of race. Mentorship should be available to every founder who needs it. As someone who worked for free for a long time, put in many late nights and mornings, and gave everything for what I do, I believe that founders should strive to be excellent in their own way.
Marc Washington, Founder and CEO, Supergut
As a Black founder and small business owner, I clearly pay attention to policies that can impact the environment for emerging small businesses, especially those that affect underserved communities.
In that context, I am very optimistic that VP Harris’ Black Men’s Opportunity Agenda can have a significant positive impact in addressing some of the pervasive economic challenges for small business owners, and in creating opportunities for communities. underserved.
In my opinion, small businesses are the engines that drive our economy, and more must be done to create an environment that encourages entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.
Unfortunately, many small business owners, especially those from minority communities, too often lack support and funding. The statistics on funding to Black business owners are nothing short of depressing, with Black-founded startups now receiving less than 0.5 percent of venture capital financing.
Although I have raised venture capital from some of the top VC firms for my company, Supergut, my experience is the exception rather than the norm, as most Black founders have not been offered similar opportunities. .
Clearly something needs to be done. Given a key principle of the VP Harris Economic Development Tour is to increase access to capital through investments and loans, I think this can be very beneficial to support our economic engine of entrepreneurship, especially among underrepresented black entrepreneurs.
Additionally, if implemented effectively, proposed investments aimed at improving education, training and economic mobility could stimulate the environment for business owners and the communities we serve.
Expanding our next generation of skilled labor can be instrumental for small businesses like mine that are always in need of high-caliber talent. In addition, closing the racial wealth gap and improving the economic mobility of underserved communities can translate into increased consumer demand for our products and services.
Kyle Samuels, Founder and CEO, Creative Talent Endeavors
The economic plan of Kamala Harris is ambitious and positive for all Americans, with an eye towards black men. Fully forgivable loans are a game changer. We’ve been dealing with systemic blocks to access to capital for ages, and this is one way to break down those walls. A chance to get money flowing where it’s needed most, so black men can build businesses that grow in their communities? I’m all for it.
Then there is the move to legalize recreational marijuana, with Black men having a seat at the table. It’s a big deal, considering how long we’ve been spending disproportionately on it. Allowing the opportunity to participate in this industry changes the script – it is the empowerment where we have been closed and penalized for decades.
As CEO of Creative Talent Endeavors, I struggle to change an industry that is often exclusive and outdated. Harris’ plan brings the same new approach to black men in business, education and even health. It’s not just about loans; it’s about giving Black men the tools to make real change, not just for them, but for everyone who comes after.