Some people might have thought because Baltimore has a new, white Mayor, and because a federal judge struck down our Minority and Women Business Enterprise law, that empowering minority businesses would not be a very high priority in our city. That assumption would be dead wrong. Economic opportunity in Baltimore must be open to all. We must build and sustain a strong minority business community - because in our city the minority happens to be the majority. Yesterday, I issued an Executive Order stating that it will be our city government's goal to award 35 percent of city business to minority and women-owned firms.
Effective empowerment requires attention to detail - and persistence.
We will follow through on this pledge, and make public our efforts, with reports on our website, so citizens can hold us accountable. If our city is to move forward, we must empower entrepreneurs, generate jobs, build our tax base and create wealth in every neighborhood in our city. Our efforts are just starting, but this is the way we do business in Baltimore now. As always, thank you for all you are doing to make the greatest city in America even greater. Enjoy your weekend.