WASHINGTON – On Thursday, February 1, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s cabinet for America’s more than 33 million small businesses, will travel to Durham, N.C., to kick off Black History Month and highlight how President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is delivering for Black entrepreneurs.
Administrator Guzman will start her day at an event with the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, where she will deliver remarks, participate in a Q&A session, and sign a strategic alliance memorandum. The memorandum represents a commitment by the SBA and the Alliance to work together to empower Black entrepreneurs with the resources they need to pursue the American dream of entrepreneurship.
Following the signing ceremony, Administrator Guzman will travel to a nearby Black-owned childcare center, which opened its doors during the Biden-Harris Administration’s Small Business Boom, to meet with the business owner and tour the facility.
In the afternoon, Administrator Guzman will head to Durham’s historic Black Wall Street, where she will present certificates of recognition to three local lenders in honor of their work to expand access to capital for traditionally underserved communities. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the total number and dollar amount of SBA-backed loans to Black-owned small businesses have more than doubled, with Black entrepreneurs receiving $1.5 billion in SBA loans in Fiscal Year 2023 alone.
Administrator Guzman will end her day at the ceremonial grand opening of a Black-owned business that serves as a creative hub, piano bar, coffee shop, and event space for the Durham community.
These events are open to members of the media who RSVP to theodora.lake@sba.gov.
MEDIA RSVP: All times are local. Interview requests should be sent by email to theodora.lake@sba.gov.
Thursday, February 1
Strategic Alliance Memorandum Signing & Media Availability
WHO: SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman
Lenwood V. Long, Sr., CEO of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs
WHEN: 9:40 a.m. EST
WHERE: Durham, NC. Location details sent upon RSVP to theodora.lake@sba.gov.
Visit to Black-Owned Small Business
WHO: SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman
WHEN: 11:15 a.m. EST
WHERE: Durham, NC. Location details sent upon RSVP to theodora.lake@sba.gov.
Lender Certificate Presentation at Historic Black Wall Street
WHO: SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman
WHEN: 12:55 p.m. EST
WHERE: Durham, NC. Location details sent upon RSVP to theodora.lake@sba.gov.
Visit to Black-Owned Small Business
WHO: SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman
WHEN: 2:55 p.m. EST
WHERE: Durham, NC. Location details sent upon RSVP to theodora.lake@sba.gov.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit sba.gov.