Washington – Today, U.S. Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman named the National League of Cities (NLC)’s CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony to serve on the reconvened Council on Underserved Communities (CUC) authorized under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Under newly appointed Chair, John W. Rogers, Jr, founder and co-CEO of Ariel Investments, Mr. Anthony and the CUC will work to further the equity priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration by making programmatic and policy recommendations to Administrator Guzman and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase access and opportunity across SBA’s programs and initiatives to help level the playing field for all of America’s entrepreneurs.
“It is an honor to be selected for the Council on Underserved Communities and have the opportunity to help the SBA address the needs and concerns of underserved small business owners,” said NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony. “As a former small business owner myself and now, as CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities, I know and have heard from local leaders across the country about the importance of growing inclusive economies – not just to support individual small businesses but to grow thriving communities across the country.”
NLC supports cities, towns and villages in building thriving and equitable local economies. Most recently, NLC’s City Innovation Ecosystems program which helps cities adopt policies, programs and practices that give underrepresented entrepreneurs more opportunities for economic advancement, proudly announced that 59 new cities will receive direct technical assistance and financial support to help implement projects that support underrepresented entrepreneurs and foster economic growth. Now in its third year, the NLC CIE program has grown to include more than 175 cities, 200 local partners, and $100 million in committed resources.
“I look forward to relaunching the CUC and working with Chairman John Rogers, Mr. Anthony and the National League of Cities, and our other newly appointed members to support President Biden’s commitment to equity as we build our economy back better,” said Administrator Guzman. “An economic recovery for all of us means that we must do everything we can to help all of our small business and innovative startups emerge from the pandemic stronger and more resilient. And SBA is committed to ensuring our underserved entrepreneurs can access capital, markets and networks to grow their businesses.”
Drawing from the nation’s most diverse and accomplished small business owners, community leaders, and advocates, Administrator Guzman’s CUC membership represents the voices and interests of America’s diverse small business owners, including those in disadvantaged groups such as women and communities of color. Together, the CUC’s members will work to promote public investment and policy formation to address the barriers facing underserved small businesses.
Additional information about the CUC can be found at www.sba.gov/CUC. The SBA will announce CUC additional members in the coming weeks as well as the official meeting dates.
About the Council on Underserved Communities
Initially established in 2010, the Council on Underserved Communities provides advice, ideas, and opinions on SBA programs, services, and issues of interest to small businesses in underserved communities. The 20-member federal advisory committee serves as an essential connection between the SBA and underserved small businesses to work towards creating new and insightful initiatives to spur economic growth, job creation, competitiveness, and sustainability across all communities.
###
The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people across the country. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions. Stay connected with NLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.