WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 14, 2024) — Yesterday, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce (OJCC) signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the U.S. Department of Commerce, marking a groundbreaking moment in U.S. economic policy. This strategic alliance will ensure that minority business enterprises (MBEs) in the Jewish community gain greater access to capital, contracts, and global markets, as well as resources to help scale their businesses.
The MOU leverages the collective abilities, networks, and assets of both MBDA and OJCC, helping each organization expand public awareness of their priorities, initiatives, and available resources for the Jewish community. It will also help identify opportunities to participate in conferences, workshops, seminars, and other educational outreach activities that foster growth and opportunities.
“This historic partnership with the Orthodox Jewish community is a major milestone in expanding opportunities for Jewish entrepreneurs,” said Eric Morissette, performing the delegated duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development. “The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest network of Jewish business-related interests, and through this MOU, we can significantly expand access to resources for Jewish businesses, thereby benefiting the broader business world.”
This agreement builds on a long history of collaboration between MBDA and OJCC, centered on enhancing economic development, expanding access to opportunities, and supporting MBEs within the Orthodox Jewish community. For the first time in U.S. history, Jewish businesses are officially recognized as minorities by the federal government, marking a significant achievement in the fight for inclusivity.
“The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce is a driving force in America’s economy,” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. “The Biden-Harris Administration, the Department of Commerce, and MBDA are committed to supporting Jewish business owners by providing them with the resources they need to thrive.”
This MOU signing is the last major event under the current administration, marking the final milestone in a transformative legacy. The incoming leadership in the U.S. Department of Commerce, including the new Secretary of Commerce, will carry this story forward, continuing to support the Jewish community’s economic advancement.
“It’s a tremendous honor to work with leaders like Deputy Secretary Don Graves, Deputy Under Secretary Morissette, and Joann Hill from MBDA, whose efforts have led to the U.S. Department of Commerce officially recognizing Jewish businesses as minorities for the first time,” said Duvi Honig, Founder & CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. “This historic MOU signing marks a monumental achievement for the Jewish community and is a testament to the visionary leadership of all involved.”
Historically, since the establishment of MBDA in 1969, the Jewish community was not recognized as a minority under the agency’s focus, despite their significant contributions to U.S. business and society. Jewish businesses were excluded from the list of groups eligible for MBDA support, as the agency traditionally served predominantly Hispanic (90%) and African-American (16%) populations, with Jews constituting just 2% of the overall population. This MOU corrects this oversight, officially recognizing Jewish entrepreneurs as a minority group, and opening the door to new opportunities, including eligibility for grants, contracts, and other resources previously unavailable to them.
This collaboration opens the door to significant new opportunities for Jewish businesses, providing them with access to crucial federal support, including contracts, grants, and participation in programs aimed at enhancing growth and global competitiveness.
For more information on initiatives and other efforts being led by the Minority Business Development Agency, please visit www.mbda.gov.
About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, is the only federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. minority business enterprises (MBEs). For more than 50 years, MBDA’s programs and services have better equipped MBEs to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues, and expand regionally, nationally, and internationally.