APRIL 2025
Early April
The Department of Justice terminated grants totaling $811 million that supported public safety programs for crime prevention, gun violence, and recidivism. This will result in setbacks in reducing violent crimes, eliminating support for rural areas, and limiting support for survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, and domestic violence.
The Trump administration effectively shut down the Minority Black Development Agency after an executive order calling for programs and staff to be reduced. Over 30 staffers were laid off, federal grants to business centers were terminated, and the agency’s DC office was left with one staff member.
The Impact ..
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GRANTS
This massive cut affected over 300 grants, which funded programs that addressed and supported
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Victim services
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Community violence prevention and intervention
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Mental health crisis response
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Reentry services
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Support for victims of hate crimes
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Sexual abuse prevention in correctional facilities
The lack of these programs, which especially served those in rural and underserved communities, takes away major resources from Black Americans and American Indians who face these issues at disproportionately high rates
MINORITY BLACK DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (MBDA)
Programs, Policy & Research
$1.5 B $2.6B 11K
Capital Contracts Jobs Created
Across six industry sectors
This impact is not limited to Black Americans, with over $400 Million in combined capital and contracts for Native American / Alaska Native Projects
The MBDA has launched a Capital Readiness Program Incubator and Accelerator helping entrepreneurs raise $263 million in capital, created 26 MOUs with federal agencies and public and private sector organizations, expanded the MBDA Resource Library and established a Business Enterprise Advisory Council with representatives that support business formation, labor development, monetary policy, national security, energy, agriculture, transportation, and housing. This snapshot only includes information based on the 2024 impact report.
By providing essential resources, access to capital, and support for entrepreneurship, the agency helps to address historical inequalities and foster community development. Downsizing this agency would significantly hinder efforts to uplift marginalized communities, leaving many without vital resources necessary for advancement. The reduction of funding and support undermines decades of progress, exacerbating disparities in wealth, education, and opportunity for Black Americans and American Indians.