GSA Blog

OSDBU Shares Resources for Black-Owned Businesses During Black History Month

As we celebrate Black History Month, we can recognize how African American achievements have contributed to our nation’s history. We can also reflect on the legacy of the remarkable people who paved the way for our nation’s Black small business owners and entrepreneurs.

I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so I’m passionate about advocating for American small businesses. I hope to inspire others to do the same.

As the Associate Administrator for GSA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), I’ve seen firsthand how the pandemic affected the small business community, including communities of color -- it’s still affecting them.

Minority-owned businesses are among our economy’s faster-growing segments. From 2007 to 2012, the number of businesses owned by African Americans increased by 34%. Small businesses are critical to build back our economy. Minority-owned businesses are leading this effort. They bring innovative products and services to the public sector, as well as partnerships and great customer service.

These resources will continue to help small businesses grow, expand, and recover as they support their employees and communities during the pandemic:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Assistance: Through GSA OSDBU, we will promote and provide resources that connect small businesses with appropriate SBA COVID-19 relief resources. SBA resources include the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Women's Business Centers (WBCs), SCORE Association, and other SBA resource partners.
• Federal Contract Opportunities: As a small business owner, you know how important it is to plan. Use our Forecast of Contracting Opportunities Tool to learn about contracting opportunities early in the acquisition process. This tool makes it easier for small businesses to find contracting opportunities and build a business plan to capitalize on those opportunities. The GSA Forecast Tool Factsheet [PDF - 1023 KB] explains how to use the tool and its features.
• GSA OSDBU Support: Even with these resources, you may need help. GSA OSDBU offers training, education, and assistance to help you successfully navigate federal contracting. Check out our great training opportunities on our Events and Training page on gsa.gov, additionally you can find on-demand video’s and information on gsa.gov to learn how to do business with GSA.
• Access to Capital: Funding is critical for small business success, but it also limits  minority-owned businesses’ growth. SBA established funding programs like SBA-guaranteed loans to help increase small business access to capital.

Expanding small and small-disadvantaged business opportunities is one of GSA’s top priorities. We work to empower small businesses across America. That includes working with other federal agencies to make sure small businesses from disadvantaged socioeconomic categories and communities are well-represented in the procurement process.

I’m proud of our commitment to increasing small and small disadvantaged business participation in the federal marketplace across all categories. GSA supports the Biden Administration’s priorities on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility across government. Our goal is to level the playing field for small businesses in underserved communities. We’ll do that by advocating for small and small disadvantaged in every procurement at both the prime and subcontracting level. It’s critical that every small business has a fair opportunity at federal government business.

GSA OSDBU provides small businesses training resources and guidance so they can maximize their opportunities to win business. To learn about upcoming training opportunities visit our Events and Training page on gsa.gov. We also offer government contracting factsheets that help small business owners find opportunities and navigate the federal marketplace. To see more resources, visit our Resources page.

To learn more about our commitment to the small business community, follow us on Twitter @GSAOSDBU or visit gsa.gov/small-business.