The DOT’s October 3 rule ends 40 years of demographic protections. Black and women-owned firms must now prove discrimination individually—and time is running out. (BALTIMORE – October 15, 2025) – On October 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued an interim final rule that fundamentally restructured the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, eliminating the demographic presumptions that have anchored federal contracting access for Black-owned, women-owned, and other disadvantaged firms for four decades. The consequences are immediate and severe. All existing DBE certifications are suspended. Firms must recertify by proving they have faced specific discrimination in their business history. The…

Effective immediately, firms must prove disadvantage individually—reshaping access to federal contracts (WASHINGTON, DC – October 15, 2025) – The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an interim final rule on October 3, 2025, fundamentally restructuring how the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program operates. The new rule eliminates race- and sex-based presumptions of disadvantage that have anchored the 40-year-old federal contracting initiative, requiring all firms to demonstrate economic hardship on a case-by-case basis. The shift has immediate consequences. All existing DBE and Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) certifications are effectively suspended pending reevaluation under the new standards. Federal agencies are prohibited…

America Just Took the Ball and Went Home  (BALTIMORE – October 14, 2025) – As I read numerous articles on the recent Trump Administration ruling to remove Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) opportunities from the books, my thoughts go far beyond the obvious women-owned and minority-owned businesses that are most affected. My thoughts are on the Black women who nursed white babies with their own breast milk. I think of Chevy pickup trucks with Confederate flags in the rear window. I’m thinking about the kid who brought his basketball to the court, but he took his ball and went home when…

For business owners, particularly those with ties to Sandtown-Winchester – Harlem Park (BALTIMORE – October 5, 2025) – The Sandtown-Winchester/Harlem Park Collective invites all business owners and entrepreneurs connected to the 21217 area to attend an important community meeting on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at The Mill on North (2636 W. North Avenue), just west of Coppin State University. 👉 RSVP: https://westsidebusiness.eventbrite.com Purpose Our mission is simple but powerful: to identify shared priorities and unite our efforts toward building a stronger, more sustainable future for West Baltimore. Small businesses are the economic backbone of our…

(BALTIMORE – October 5, 2025) – The Sandtown-Winchester/Harlem Park Collective invites all business owners and entrepreneurs connected to the 21217 area to attend an important community meeting on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at The Mill on North (2636 W. North Avenue, just west of Coppin State University). RSVP to https://westsidebusiness.eventbrite.com. Our Mission: To identify shared priorities and unite our efforts toward building a stronger future for West Baltimore. Small businesses are the economic backbone of our communities—creating jobs, employing local residents, and driving positive change. The more we strengthen our businesses, the greater impact we can make together. Who…

(BALTIMORE – September 15, 20025) – Once upon a time, you had to walk into Blockbuster on a Friday night. If the movie you wanted was gone, tough luck. Then came Netflix, shipping little red envelopes to our mailboxes. A few years later, streaming went mainstream — and Blockbuster was history. Netflix wasn’t just about movies. It was about freedom and convenience. Watch what you want, when you want. No late fees, no gatekeepers. Amazon followed with Prime, Hulu jumped in, Disney, Apple, Paramount, Peacock — you name it. The old cable bundle collapsed. Now here we are in 2025,…

(BALTIMORE – September 13, 2025) – I remember when Comcast was all there was. The people in the office sometimes acted snotty. Don’t be late with a bill. It felt like you had to promise your first-born just to keep the service on. I also remember the “triple-play” when Verizon bundled TV, phone, and internet. Again — don’t be late. These titans forgot about customer service. They acted like they were the only game in town. And for a time, they were. But when streaming came along, it booted these stubborn dinosaurs out of the way. That’s called digital disruption —…

Applications for Funding Opportunities Open September 19 (BALTIMORE – September 10, 2025) — Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the first application round for the City-Wide Affordable Housing TIF Funds to support the redevelopment of vacant properties throughout Baltimore City. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a public financing tool used by local governments to encourage development and redevelopment in underutilized or distressed areas. The application and program guidelines will be available on DHCD’s website. “My administration is taking on a challenge that’s been ignored for generations — vacant housing — delivering $3 billion to end this crisis for good within 15 years,”…

(BALTIMORE – September 8, 2025) – I want to take a moment to salute and appreciate every single one of my YouTube Members. You didn’t just hit “Subscribe” — you decided to invest in this work, in this voice, and in this mission. That means the world. 💯 Special thanks to our members: Bronze Members Bella Burroughs Pretty Black The Reconstruction Report Cheron Turner BlakBodhisattva2 Emperesse 444 🪷🏹 Roderick Ensley Stellaaaaaa?! Elohim’s Creation Ty Sherry Mitchell MrsATLien Stan 👽🤑 Bruce M2 Zakiya Alake Moni Noni SonicK King Cynthia Boykin (welcome back!) STEMCityUSA Lynn Bowens Gold Member Alex Green (holding it…

(BALTIMORE – September 4, 2025) — Award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and author Doni Glover has released his highly anticipated new book, Black Blueprint — a powerful roadmap for empowerment, resilience, and progress in Black communities across America and the African diaspora. Known nationally as the publisher of BMORENews.com and BlackUSA.News, and as the founder of the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards, Glover has spent over two decades amplifying Black voices, championing entrepreneurs, and telling the stories too often ignored by mainstream media. Black Blueprint captures that mission in print, blending history, strategy, and vision into a guide for the future. “This…