The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland celebrated milestones of its existence at its annual conference at Live Casino & Hotel in Hanover, Maryland from Oct. 24-25 with a focus on business and entrepreneurship amid nationwide economic challenges, the federal government shutdown and the Trump administration’s attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion programming.
“Our conference celebrates the leadership of the caucus and other Black Marylanders who are doing the work to fight for the rights of the people especially in the times we are living in,” Maryland Del. Karen Toles (D-District 25) told The Informer.
Toles, along with 65 of her African American colleagues, are members of Maryland’s state legislative body, founded in 1970 as one of the first of its type in the nation. The caucus has the most Black members of any state in the nation.
Toles noted that the conference is the 30th of the organization, which was founded to advocate for African Americans in Maryland at the state capitol in Annapolis, in such fields as education, health care, civil rights and economic development.
The conference took place as Maryland is noted as one of the states with the highest concentration of African Americans–fifth in the country–and having elected barrier breaking Black leaders including Gov. Wes Moore (D), and Angela Alsobrooks (D).
Nevertheless, various studies and reports reveal African American Marylanders face disparities in comparison to their white counterparts in educational attainment, homeownership, health outcomes, economic status and are more likely to be incarcerated no matter the nature of the crime.
With the Trump administration supporting the federal government shutdown due to Republican support of increased Obamacare premiums, coupled with the move against DEI programs in the public and private sectors, and a relaxed approach to enforcing the nation’s civil rights laws, Toles said the conference uplifting Black communities could not have come at a better moment.
“The times we are living in under this administration are unprecedented,” she said. “This is evil. This makes our work as a caucus more critical.”
Black Caucus Gets Down to Business
On the first day of the convening, caucus members led workshops virtually on topics such as education, wealth building, health equity, civil rights and the environment.
Maryland state Sen. Nick Charles (D-District 25) said the topics impacted African American Marylanders and were designed to educate and motivate people toward action.
“With everything that is going on, it is important for many reasons that we focus on these areas,” Charles said. “Not only do these workshops inform, they are bringing folks together to talk about solutions. This is much needed at this time.”
The next day, dozens of people from across the state convened at the conference’s “Business Over Breakfast” session dealing in the topic: Building Resilient and Thriving Black Businesses in Maryland” at the Live Casino & Hotel Ballroom. Maryland Business reports there are more than 102,000 Black-owned businesses in Maryland, which generate $6.8 billion.
“We want to make it clear that not only is Maryland open for business, Maryland is built for business,” said Dr. Zina Pierre, president of the Maryland Black Caucus Foundation.
Pierre said operating a business is a worthy pursuit, but it is not easy.
“Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart,” she said. “Every day we are hustling and grinding.”
Maryland Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-District 20) serves as the chair of the caucus, noting the 55th year anniversary of the organization and its role in helping Black businesses get state government contracts.
“It was 1970, and it was a different time,” said Wilkins, pointing out indirectly that few Black-owned companies had contracts with any governmental agency anywhere in the country. “Maryland was the first state to have a MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) program. There are some who would like to take us back to 1970 when those programs did not exist. We must stand strong and continue to fight.”
Wilkins’ colleague, Del. N. Scott Phillips (D-District 10), said the late Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson created the blueprint for Black businesses getting government contracts, as was the case with the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, which is the busiest facility of its type in the world.
“Maynard Jackson told large companies in the 1970s that if you want a contract to help build this airport, you have to include Black companies,” Phillips said.
Further, the District 10 delegate encouraged entrepreneurs in the audience to keep working and “you have opportunity in the midst of this chaos.”
Wallace Sermons, who serves as the chief procurement officer for the State of Maryland, agreed with Phillips, urging Black entrepreneurs to be tenacious.
“We (at the Moore administration) are working on countering Trump’s anti-DEI measures,” he said. “This is the time to be fearless. We will prevail.”