Recap: 2024 AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum

The AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum is a crucial platform for our members to convene annually in the nation’s capital. This gathering is not just a mere event but a significant opportunity for us to engage with lawmakers and address our economic challenges. Headlines reflect the ongoing struggle to protect policies that safeguard the interests of working Americans. With the recent overturn of affirmative action protections, the time is ripe for us to unite and influence lawmakers to uphold and enhance programs like the ACDBE program. These initiatives are instrumental in ensuring the full employment of entire communities, particularly by facilitating the participation of small and disadvantaged businesses in the aviation and aerospace industry. Failing to support local and diverse enterprises could result in multinational organizations dominating airport operations, with the profits flowing overseas. This not only puts the United States at risk of losing its global competitiveness but also a risk to overall national security. A more sustainable approach is to advocate for policies that foster investment in small and underrepresented businesses.

 

Day One

On the forum’s first day, AMAC members, as the driving force of our organization, gathered outside the iconic Capitol Building. The day they kicked off with a photo opportunity, capturing the spirit of unity and purpose. Following this, members were guided through the building’s security checks and led to the Congressional Auditorium. Here, they were presented with insightful discussions and engaging presentations, setting the tone for the rest of the forum. Members heard from Congressman Jesus G. “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04); Shivani Pampati, Director of Tax and Economic Policy for Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD); Franklin Lee of Tydings & Rosenberg, LLP; Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07); and Congressman Glen Ivey (MD-04). The messages were clear — federal programs that promote diverse participation are at risk, and we are responsible for educating and fighting to protect them as active advocates. Congressional leaders urged AMAC members to share the importance of these programs with federal and local decision-makers. They reminded us all that our voices are heard through our voting power. The afternoon was spent in small groups based on region, meeting with various members of Congress to advocate for continued diverse participation in federal contracting.

 

Day Two

The second day of the forum began with a recorded greeting from Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, followed by in-person remarks from Eric Morrissette, Acting Undersecretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development. Morrissette shared that the government expects to issue $5.4B in contracts this year alone. Day two also consisted of engaging panel discussions on topics ranging from DE&I, FAA policy updates, and strategies airports use to maintain (and increase) competitive business environments. Day two ended with a momentous event: the historic signing of the Equity in Infrastructure Pledge by AMAC President & CEO Eboni Wimbush and AMAC Board of Directors Chair/ Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport CEO Ricky Smith. This commitment and unity should make us all proud and hopeful for the future. They were joined by Phil Washington, Denver International Airport CEO/EIP Co-Founder; John Porcari, Former DOT Deputy Secretary/ EIP Co-Founder; and Dorval Carter, Jr., Chicago Transit Authority President/ EIP Co-Founder.

 

Day Three

The forum’s final day consisted of lively panel discussions centered around access to capital and removing barriers in contracting for minority-owned businesses. AMAC members heard an informative keynote address from Alejandra Castillo, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, who urged the membership to continue efforts in education and advocacy. The forum ended with legislative priorities, and feedback from Capitol Hill Day was shared with the group. Themes of advocacy, engagement, and urgency underscored the recap, with the AMAC Government Affairs Committee reminding members there is an active assault on affirmative action and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and policies. It is up to each member to be engaged, loud, and persistent. Our global competitiveness is at risk. As Nigel Stephens of Phoenix Strategies stated, “The United States can’t compete with China if you take out its diverse businesses.”

 

AMAC and ReachTV Partner to Expand Existing and New Content Celebrating Industry Businesses and Executives

Washington, DC (March 18, 2024)—The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) has entered into a partnership with ReachTV, the largest airport television network in North America. ReachTV will serve as an official AMAC media partner.

“Lynnwood Bibbens and ReachTV have long been members and supporters of AMAC and our mission. We’re excited to turn this working relationship into a creative partnership,” says Eboni Wimbush, President & CEO of AMAC. “The AMAC team looks forward to leveraging ReachTV’s platform, especially its Ticket to Success program, to share the untold stories of AMAC’s diverse membership. AMAC will also utilize this partnership to help execute the pillars of our Strategic Plan by amplifying AMAC, its members and our dual impact on the aviation industry, the U.S. economy and the local communities that we serve.”

Under the agreement, ReachTV will work alongside AMAC to create compelling, thought-provoking original content to be distributed industry-wide and, in some cases, to ReachTV airport outlets. The partnership includes developing new content and programs like Ticket to Success. The partnership will also develop a series of AMAC-specific awards in conjunction with Business Traveler, a monthly print and digital consumer publication covering various aspects of the travel industry, such as entrepreneurs, travel destinations, airlines, hotels and more.

“We are excited about this partnership and the opportunity to help amplify the mission of AMAC and the stories of its members.  ReachTV and AMAC are aligned with our commitment to Community and Culture and we can’t think of a better industry organization to help illuminate these principles in the airport industry,” said Lynnwood Bibbens, Founder & CEO of ReachTV.

 

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About the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)
The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) is the only national, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. Since 1984, AMAC has been at the forefront of nearly every national policy initiative impacting the participation of disadvantaged businesses in airport contracting. AMAC works consistently with Congress, the federal government, aviation trade associations and strategic partners as resources for information, education and guidance on business and employment matters. AMAC represents a diverse membership of airports, corporations, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises, and professionals within the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information, visit amac-org.com.

 

About ReachTV
ReachTV is a free ad-supported streaming television network with more than 50 million viewers per month. The network is distributed in 500,000+ hotel rooms and 2,500+ airport screens across North America, and powers 24-hour live sports in-flight. ReachTV brings together tech, data and storytelling to offer viewers a new connected media experience with shopability, featuring a rich library of live sports, and premium original content. Learn more at reachtv.com.

Media Contacts:
Ramon Lo, AMAC
rlo@amac-org.com

Melissa Sun, Rosenfield Media Group
Melissa@rmg-pr.com

AMAC, Morehouse Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center and Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Partner to Increase Learning Opportunities & Facilitate Capacity Building for Future Minority and Women-Owned Airport Concessionaires

Washington, DC (March 14, 2024)—The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) is partnering with Morehouse Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center and Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) to pilot AMAC’s new Business Capacity Accelerator Program. The initiative will increase training opportunities and capacity-building for minority and women-owned business enterprises interested in launching airport concessions. Apply here by April 9, 2024: https://morehouse.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AH1o7n3ezJjKQK.

The partnership is being managed by the Morehouse Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC), a global model in higher education and industry collaboration that provides programs and services focused on helping Black businesses to grow and thrive. MIEC is grounded in the Morehouse legacy of producing leaders committed to service, diversity, inclusion and equity. Its programs have helped participants to create 823 jobs, secure 363 new contracts and experience $82 million in revenue growth.

“AMAC is thrilled and honored to partner with an institution as prestigious as Morehouse,” says Eboni Wimbush, AMAC President & CEO. “This purposeful partnership addresses many goals in our Strategic Plan, one of which is fostering the next wave of airport industry entrepreneurs.”

The Business Capacity Accelerator Pilot Program develops a pipeline of minority and underserved small business concessionaires in the Atlanta region. It will increase business owners’ understanding of the requirements and strategies for operating concessions in airports, provide resources to secure access to capital and foster relationships with industry stakeholders.

Under the agreement, AMAC, Morehouse and its partner ACE will work to develop a network of potential concessionaires of color and provide them with support services as they prepare to compete for contracts. Those services will include advising potential concessionaires about the feasibility of operating in an airport setting, facilitating engagement with industry-leading prime concessions companies, securing capital, exercising strategic agility and assisting them with business marketing.

“This partnership with AMAC extends the work the MIEC is building alongside ACE in scaling diverse businesses, “said Dr. Tiffany Bussey, Executive Director of MIEC. “Our research indicates that intentional collaborations like these are necessary to exponentially move the needle with diverse businesses in non-traditional spaces.”

AMAC is the only national, nonprofit trade association organization dedicated to promoting the full participation of minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (M/W/DBEs) in contracting opportunities and professional development throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. Morehouse College is a men’s liberal arts college and a member of the Atlanta University Center Consortium, which facilitates the MIEC and Small Business Executive Programs. MIEC’s mission is to build an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem across Morehouse College and external communities, which includes the development of creativity, critical thinking, communication, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to find and develop solutions for solving real problems in the community and the world.

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About the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)
AMAC is the only national, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. Since 1984, AMAC has been at the forefront of nearly every national policy initiative impacting the participation of disadvantaged businesses in airport contracting. AMAC works consistently with Congress, the federal government, aviation trade associations and strategic partners as resources for information, education and guidance on business and employment matters. AMAC represents a diverse membership of airports, corporations, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises, and professionals within the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information, visit www.amac-org.com.

About Morehouse College
Founded in 1867, Morehouse College is the nation’s only College founded to educate men of color. Ranked as Georgia’s top liberal arts college for men, Morehouse produces more Black men who go on to receive doctorates than any other college in the country and is a top feeder school for Black men entering prestigious graduate schools and MBA programs. Also named Georgia’s #1 small college, Morehouse educates a selective group of 2,200 students each year, 60 percent of whom come from families with household incomes of $40,000 or less, yet many of which are highly recruited by Fortune 500 companies. The College has created more Rhodes Scholars than any other HBCU and has the #1 core curriculum among HBCUs nationally. It is the nation’s top producer of Black male graduates in the social sciences and the top HBCU producer of Black male graduates in business administration, management, operations, English, foreign languages, Mathematics, statistics, philosophy, religious studies, and physical sciences, as the national epicenter for thought leadership on human rights and equity. Morehouse is committed to helping the nation address the challenges caused by institutional racism, income and healthcare disparities, lack of access to capital, detrimental public policy, and the need for high-quality education. Learn more about Morehouse College at morehouse.edu.

About Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE)
ACE is a Georgia 501(c)(3) nonprofit and community development financial institution (CDFI) that provides capital, coaching, and connections to help borrowers create and grow sustainable businesses that generate jobs. We have provided more than $200 million in loans and business advisory services to support 2,600+ small business owners and helped create or save 21,000+ jobs for Georgians.

From an initial grant of $50,000, ACE | Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs has helped North Georgia and metro Atlanta’s entrepreneurs survive and thrive for over twenty years. This commitment to providing affordable loans to underserved small and medium businesses has positioned ACE as the 57th largest nonprofit in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s list of Atlanta’s 75 Largest Nonprofit Organizations in 2023.

Media Contacts:
Ramon Lo, Director of Membership & Industry Engagement, AMAC
rlo@amac-org.com

D. Aileen Dodd, Associate VP of Advancement Communications and Marketing, Morehouse
Aileen.dodd@morehouse.edu
404-808-5428

Ray Pennie, Chief of Business Advisory Services, ACE
pennie@aceloans.org
678-916-8452

AMAC Statement on Nuziard v. MBDA Ruling

WASHINGTON, DC (March 12, 2024)—The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) issued the following statement on the recent Nuziard v. MBDA Ruling.

Last week, a Texas federal court judge ruled that the U.S. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) must be open to all businesses and races. This is yet another example of how critical diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and initiatives continue to be under attack despite government evidence that minority businesses have far less access to capital and credit than their white counterparts due to racial discrimination in lending markets.

Created by President Nixon 55 years ago and now authorized by a bipartisan coalition in Congress and codified by the Biden Administration, MBDA has been committed to providing the programs, services and initiatives needed for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses to achieve economic success and prosperity. Minority Business Enterprises (MBES) are fast-growing, innovative, and represented in every industry sector in the U.S. MBEs directly contribute to the U.S. economy and account for the creation of millions of jobs. Expanding economic access for MBEs benefits all Americans. According to MBDA, 9.2 million MBEs generate more than $1.8 trillion in revenue annually for the U.S. economy.

AMAC stands proudly with our partner MBDA as it explores its options in this case. AMAC will continue to relentlessly pursue our mission of advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. As an open letter to business leaders shared, “We call on CEOs in the aerospace and aviation industries to maintain and expand their diversity initiatives. A critical part of the ecosystem is minority- and women-owned businesses that support infrastructure growth and accelerate local economic development and American global competitiveness. As we face challenges, it is imperative that we advance policies and practices that ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities. Together, we are building a legacy of inclusivity and strength that will benefit future generations.”

—Eboni Wimbush, Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) President & CEO

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About the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)
The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) is the only national, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. Since 1984, AMAC has been at the forefront of nearly every national policy initiative impacting the participation of disadvantaged businesses in airport contracting. AMAC works consistently with Congress, the federal government, aviation trade associations and strategic partners as resources for information, education and guidance on business and employment matters. AMAC represents a diverse membership of airports, corporations, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises, and professionals within the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information, visit www.amac-org.com.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Aviation/Airport Industry Leaders to Sign the Equity in Infrastructure Project Pledge During the 2024 AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum

WHAT: The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) and Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) leadership will sign the EIP Pledge on Thursday, March 14, 2024, during the AMAC Economic Opportunity and Policy Forum.

WHO: Phil Washington, Denver International Airport CEO/Equity in Infrastructure Project Co-Founder; John Porcari, Former U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary/Equity in Infrastructure Project Co-Founder; Ricky Smith, AMAC Board of Directors Chair / Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport CEO and Eboni Wimbush, AMAC President & CEO.

WHEN: Thursday, March 14, 2024

WHERE: Washington Marriott at Metro Center | 775 12th Street NW Washington, DC 20005

WHY: During this unprecedented infrastructure investment, EIP’s mission is to build generational wealth and reduce the racial wealth gap by improving public infrastructure contracting practices to create more prime, joint venture and equity contracting opportunities for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs). EIP’s mission aligns with AMAC’s vision of creating economic equity, access and wealth for minorities and women in the aviation and aerospace industries, and BWI’s active efforts to expand opportunities for diverse firms through prime contracting, joint ventures and equity partnerships in significant infrastructure projects. By signing the EIP Pledge, AMAC and BWI will join an influential collective of transportation industry changemakers fueling transportation equity. EIP’s Pledge has now been signed by 56 heads of transit authorities, airports, ports, water districts, organizations and engineering firms across the country, and the White House has directly called upon Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grantees to sign the Pledge. See: www.EquityInInfrastructure.org.

HOW: For interviews, press access and additional information, please contact Ramon Lo, AMAC’s Director of Membership & Industry Engagement, at rlo@amac-org.com.

AMAC and BWI welcome aviation industry leaders, government officials, and business representatives to Washington, DC, to exchange ideas, share entrepreneurship best practices, and seek innovation in diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. The forum offers insights on airport economic opportunities, outlines AMAC’s federal legislative agenda, includes panel discussions with key Congressional and Administration leadership, and updates on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs. Your participation is critical and valuable to this forum’s success and AMAC’s advocacy efforts.

AMAC and Lendistry Partner to Provide Minority and Women-Owned Small Businesses with Airport Concessions Lending Opportunities

Washington, DC (January 30, 2024)—The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) has partnered with Lendistry, a minority-led small business lender and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred Lender, to provide a unique Airport Concession Lending Program to AMAC’s diverse membership of minority and women-owned small businesses.

“AMAC’s mission is to advance the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. The predominant challenge small businesses face is access to capital. We are excited to partner with Lendistry to provide access to the financial fuel needed by our members to pursue these opportunities, “said Eboni Wimbush, AMAC President & CEO.

AMAC members and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise-certified airport concession businesses are encouraged to take advantage of this partnership when they need commercial financing. 

“Airport concessions have a unique business model, which can make it difficult for them to find lending partners who are willing to finance them,” says Everett K. Sands, Lendistry Founder & CEO. “Lendistry is happy to work with AMAC to help their members access capital and grow their businesses.”

The program content will include webinars, educational materials, and exclusive content for AMAC members.

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About the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)

AMAC is the only national, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. Since 1984, AMAC has been at the forefront of nearly every national policy initiative impacting the participation of disadvantaged businesses in airport contracting. AMAC works consistently with Congress, the federal government, aviation trade associations and strategic partners as resources for information, education and guidance on business and employment matters. AMAC represents a diverse membership of airports, corporations, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises, and professionals within the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information, visit www.amac-org.com.

About Lendistry

B.S.D. Capital, Inc. dba Lendistry (lendistry.com) is a minority-led fintech that provides innovative lending products and access to grant programs for small businesses nationwide. Headquartered in a Los Angeles Opportunity Zone, Lendistry uses technology and community partnerships to overcome systemic gaps that inhibit access to capital, and to empower its customers with responsible financing options. Based on its reputation for deploying funds efficiently and equitably, Lendistry’s leadership is often called upon to share their expertise with both government and private organizations. Lendistry has both Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE) certifications and is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Lendistry SBLC, LLC is an SBA Preferred Lender and the nation’s only African American-led SBA designated Small Business Lending Company. In collaboration with The Center by Lendistry, a nonprofit business education organization, Lendistry dedicates itself to providing economic opportunities and progressive growth for underserved urban and rural small business borrowers and their communities.  

Media Contacts:

Ramon Lo, AMAC
rlo@amac-org.com

Kate Kearns, Lendistry 
Kate.kearns@lendistry.com

Devon Ray of HMSHost and Erik Ward of Bambuza Hospitality Group Join the AMAC Foundation Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, DC (October 31, 2023) —The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Foundation is pleased to announce the following appointments to its Board of Directors: Devon Ray, Director of Strategic Alliances, HMSHost; and Erik Ward, Chief Development Officer of Bambuza Hospitality Group.

“Devon and Erik bring valuable expertise and enthusiasm to the AMAC Foundation Board, and their commitment to the mission is truly commendable. Their contributions will undoubtedly play a significant role in advancing opportunities in the aviation industry. Congratulations to Devon and Erik on their appointments!” said Sunshine White, Chair, AMAC Foundation Board of Directors; Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, Delaware North.

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About the AMAC Foundation
The AMAC Foundation works alongside AMAC and is dedicated to advancing minorities and women pursuing careers in the aviation industry by developing educational programs and providing scholarships to students who are emerging aviation professionals. Established in 1997, the AMAC Foundation awards scholarships to students pursuing a broad range of aviation careers through airports, airlines, and the public and private sectors. For more information, visit www.amac-org.com/foundation.

About Devon Ray
Devon Ray is the Director of Strategic Alliances for airport concessionaire HMSHost. She uses her vast sourcing experience to identify new ACDBE partners and vendors, ensure program compliance with FAA guidelines and develop community initiatives. With Shelby Scales, VP of Strategic Alliances, she manages a portfolio of over 150 ACDBE partners, representing over $450 million in annual sales.

Before joining Strategic Alliances, she was a part of the HMSHost Supply Chain team, where she centralized all procurement contracts, created the supplier diversity program, reduced supplier risk exposure by over 95% and developed and implemented many efficiency initiatives resulting in over $4 million in cost savings within her first two years.

Before HMSHost, Devon held positions in supply chain and procurement with companies across various industries, including Reynolds Consumer Products, MeadWestvaco, Owens & Minor, Lowe’s, Avon Products and Caterpillar Logistics. She focuses on creating sustainable operations, sourcing diverse suppliers and driving savings through more efficient operational practices.

Devon graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Transportation & Logistics from North Carolina A&T State University and holds an M.B.A. in Supply Chain Management and Innovation/Entrepreneurship from Penn State University. She attended both Universities on full academic scholarships.

She is also a Project Management Professional, ISO 9001.2008 Lead Auditor, Six Sigma Green Belt, Certified in Transportation and Logistics and ServSafe Certified.

About Erik Ward
Erik Ward is the Chief Development Officer for Bambuza Hospitality Group, an ACDBE food and beverage operator based in Portland, Oregon. In this position, he is responsible for the company’s growth while ensuring that internal capacities grow commensurately to support this expansion. His passion is inspiring and motivating Bambuza Hospitality Group’s diverse employee base, honoring the vision and unique refugee immigrant experience of its founders and keeping a focus on the company’s core values: Community, Integrity and Stewardship.

Previously, Erik was with the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development in San Francisco, where he built a team to collaborate with state and local agencies in responding to the immediate needs of local workers being laid off at the onset of the global financial crisis and the Great Recession. As layoffs declined, his focus shifted to promoting the regional growth of existing companies in San Francisco to ensure that the benefits of the recovering economy were shared by local residents, particularly those from historically underserved populations. When given responsibility for implementing a legislated local hiring requirement, Erik consulted with job training partners and impacted employers to design and launch an innovative online platform to facilitate compliance. Succeeding in these areas required inspiring stakeholders (including internal staff, contract partners, and constituent employers) to all work towards a shared goal of broad-based and inclusive prosperity for local residents.

Before that, Erik was an Executive Leader with Pacific Gateway Concessions (PGC), where he guided the growth of a closely held, medium-sized business while facilitating an exit strategy for the owners. PGC had formed nearly 20 years earlier as an ACDBE firm, operating retail locations in the highly competitive airport concessions space. He refocused the company’s core internal and external messaging to reflect partnerships with other small and locally-focused businesses. The ultimate result was the sale of the company, which required supporting its workforce through a transition process with the acquiring company. This involved empathetic listening and honest communication to maintain morale in an environment of uncertainty. During this time, over 96% of employees were retained by the acquiring company.

AMAC President & CEO Eboni Wimbush Appointed by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Buttigieg to the DOT Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity

Please join us in congratulating AMAC President & CEO Eboni Wimbush on her appointment by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Buttigieg to the Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity (ACTE) under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Eboni is among ACTE’s 24 leading experts who will advise DOT Secretary Buttigieg on issues related to civil rights, job access expansion and economic opportunity in transportation for all communities. ACTE is integral to implementing the DOT Equity Action and Strategic Plan.

Secretary Buttigieg re-established ACTE to provide independent advice and recommendations about civil rights issues and various contexts of transportation equity from multiple leaders. ACTE was initiated during DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx’s tenure, and ACTE’s re-establishment is necessary for DOT to conduct its mission to deliver the world’s leading transportation system, serving all American people through the safe, efficient, sustainable, and equitable movement of people and goods.

Read more: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/secretary-buttigieg-appoints-members-advisory-committee-transportation-equity-acte

 

AMAC Contracted as the Research Agency for a Nearly $800,000-Funded ACRP Project to Study Women and Minority Representation at Airports

Washington, DC (August 2, 2023)—The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) was contracted as the research agency by the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) of the Transportation Research Board, a program unit of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, to lead the nearly $800,000 funded-research project ACRP 06-09: Equitable Workforce Outcomes: A Study of Women and Minority Representation at Airports.

“This research is an exciting opportunity for AMAC and the industry. Our ability to collect robust data on the representation of minorities and women and their employment experience within airports to address areas of opportunity and track industry progress is invaluable. It underscores the AMAC mission and work of the AMAC Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Center for Excellence. We petition all U.S. airport administrations—regardless of size or governance—and airport employees to participate in this monumental study,” said Jeanette Saunders, AMAC Vice President of Education & Advisory Services.

AMAC will (1) identify and evaluate the current state of women and minority representation among direct employees of U.S. airports and (2) use the information collected to develop resources and tools to address potential issues identified, including, but not limited to, recruitment, retention, promotion and wage disparity.

“As the DEI authority amongst stakeholders in the aviation industry, we are proud to lead this research project. We remain steadfast and focused on driving best practices to influence change and establish diverse and inclusive leadership in the aviation industry, “said Eboni Wimbush, AMAC President & CEO.

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About the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)
The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) is the only national, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. Since 1984, AMAC has been at the forefront of nearly every national policy initiative impacting the participation of disadvantaged businesses in airport contracting. AMAC works consistently with Congress, the federal government, aviation trade associations and strategic partners as resources for information, education and guidance on business and employment matters. AMAC represents a diverse membership of airports, corporations, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises, and professionals within the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information, visit www.amac-org.com.

About the Airport Cooperative Research Program
The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) is an industry-driven, applied research program that develops near-term, practical solutions to airport challenges. ACRP is authorized by Congress, sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration, and managed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Transportation Research Board (TRB). ACRP undertakes research and other technical activities across a diverse set of industry disciplines, including airport design, construction, maintenance, operations, safety, security, policy, planning, human resources, and administration. For more information, visit www.trb.org/ACRP.

Media Contact:
Jeanette Saunders, AMAC
jsaunders@amac-org.com

AMAC Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Attempts to Remove and End Business Supplier Diversity and Workplace DEI Programs

WASHINGTON, DC (August 1, 2023)—The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s attempts to remove and end business supplier diversity and workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

“There is no doubt that the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down affirmative action in education will have trickle-down impacts on business supplier diversity and workplace DEI programs. From the letter undersigned by Attorney Generals of 13 States threatening Fortune 100 CEOs with ‘serious legal consequences’ for the continuation of race-based preference for their employment, contracting and supplier diversity practices to the recent attempts by the U.S. House of Representatives to remove funding for diversity and inclusion programs at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through amendments to the FAA Reauthorization Bill (though unsuccessful). The attempt to dismantle workplace and business diversity programs is underway, and the fight is at our door.

Since 1984, AMAC has represented a diverse membership of airports, corporations, minority, women-owned, disadvantaged business enterprises and professionals within the aviation and aerospace industries. Despite the uptick in the interest to decrease diversity programs that strengthen minority communities, AMAC will relentlessly pursue our mission of advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries to achieve our vision of economic equity, access and wealth for minorities and women in the aviation and aerospace industries,” said Eboni Wimbush, AMAC President & CEO.

According to a McKinsey & Company report encompassing 15 countries and more than 1,000 large companies, companies with gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability, and companies with ethnic diversity on executive teams outperformed others by 36% in profitability. The business case for workplace diversity and the significant impact that minority-owned businesses have on their local communities and on the economy is clear and remains strong.

Stay tuned for more information from the AMAC National Office and AMAC Government Affairs Committee on our “One AMAC” strategy as we activate our members, chapters and industry partners to champion and defend programs that allow for equitable and expanded opportunities for minorities and women in the aviation industry.

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About the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)
The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) is the only national, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. Since 1984, AMAC has been at the forefront of nearly every national policy initiative impacting the participation of disadvantaged businesses in airport contracting. AMAC works consistently with Congress, the federal government, aviation trade associations and strategic partners as resources for information, education and guidance on business and employment matters. AMAC represents a diverse membership of airports, corporations, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises, and professionals within the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information, visit www.amac-org.com.