Latest news with #DBE
Black America Web
4 days ago
- Business
- Black America Web
Trump Admin To Settle Suit Claiming Program For ‘Disadvantaged' Businesses Only Serves ‘Women And Certain Minorities'
Source: The Washington Post / Getty The Trump administration has taken a new step in its quest to make white nationalism great again by taking an axe to any program designed to level an uneven playing field that has historically benefited white men — or what MAGA conservatives call DEI. According to the Independent, the White House, on Wednesday, filed a proposal for a settlement with the Department of Transportation, which was sued in 2023 by two white-owned construction companies, Mid-America Milling Company and Bagshaw Trucking Inc., over its 42-year-old Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, which the two companies claim is 'unconstitutional,' basically because it helps business owned by women and non-white people. The $37 billion program, which is funded by the federal government but administered by states, was first authorized by Congress in 1983. It reportedly serves some 49,000 businesses that qualify as disadvantaged, which the plaintiffs in the lawsuit apparently believe means non-white men by default, presumably because — oh, I don't know — white men have overwhelmingly dominated every major industry in America for the entirety of America's existence. From the Independent: The original complaint described the DBE as 'the largest, and perhaps oldest affirmative action program in U.S. history' and claimed that the program's 'goals' were in fact 'discriminatory barriers' targeting nondesignated racial groups including white Americans. 'The word 'disadvantaged' is simply code for women and certain minorities,' the complaint stated, adding that: 'Disfavored racial groups must compete with the preferred racial groups on an unequal footing. 'Because the DBE program violates the Constitution's 'promise of equal treatment,' it must be permanently dismantled.' If white conservatives had the critical thinking capacity that would allow them to discern irony, they'd understand how comically ironic it is that the plaintiffs are essentially suggesting that white people are among the 'disfavored racial groups' that must 'compete with the preferred racial groups.' They're basically describing white supremacy, but in reverse. White men represent the only 'preferred' demographic in the nation that has enjoyed unfettered access to the so-called American dream throughout American history. Every other 'disfavored' demographic has been 'competing' for second place, and Black people continue to struggle not to come in dead last in that race. The plaintiffs even appear to acknowledge that the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program doesn't specify race or gender; they just believe women and minorities are what the word 'disadvantaged' is 'code' for. But why even assume that? It's almost as if they know perfectly well that it only happens to shake out that way because 'women and certain minorities' represent the most disadvantaged, systemically discriminated against groups, historically and currently. Every decision the Trump administration makes is aimed at turning the clock back on diversity, racial progress, gender equality and any semblance of a playing field that is actually level. Sad. SEE ALSO: Op-Ed: Trump's New Nominee For Federal Judgeship Advocated For Literacy Tests For Voters Despite Racist History Ben Crump Rips Trump Administration Decision To End Police-Reform Agreement Reached In Wake Of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor SEE ALSO Trump Admin To Settle Suit Claiming Program For 'Disadvantaged' Businesses Only Serves 'Women And Certain Minorities' was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump team looks to end $37B program designed to help minority business saying it violates the Constitution
The Trump administration has joined with two white-owned construction companies looking to end a $37 billion program designed to help minority-owned businesses, saying it is 'unconstitutional.' The Indiana-based companies, Mid-America Milling Company and Bagshaw Trucking Inc., sued the Department of Transportation in 2023 over the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, arguing that it should be permanently dismantled. On Wednesday the Department of Justice filed a proposal for a settlement with the DOT to dismantle the program – which was first authorized by Congress in 1983, and serves roughly 49,000 businesses that have been deemed to be disadvantaged. The program is funded by the federal government but administered by states, and allocates at least 10 percent of government funding for transportation infrastructure to such contracting firms. The original complaint described the DBE as 'the largest, and perhaps oldest affirmative action program in U.S. history' and claimed that the program's 'goals' were in fact 'discriminatory barriers' targeting nondesignated racial groups including white Americans. 'The word 'disadvantaged' is simply code for women and certain minorities,' the complaint stated, adding that: 'Disfavored racial groups must compete with the preferred racial groups on an unequal footing. 'Because the DBE program violates the Constitution's 'promise of equal treatment,' it must be permanently dismantled.' Last January, under the Biden administration, the DOT hit back at the suit, saying that the plaintiffs had 'notably' not identified any current transport construction contracts that had 'race- or gender-based subcontracting goals due to the DOT DBE program.' However, in a new filing on Wednesday, the administration said it had 're-evaluated its position,' in light of a 2023 Supreme Court ruling which blocked race-conscious college admissions. 'Defendants, upon review of the DBE program and their position in this litigation, have determined that the program's use of race- and sex-based presumptions is unconstitutional,' the filing stated. 'Over the past five decades, the federal government imposed a policy of race discrimination in the roadbuilding industry,' Dan Lennington, deputy counsel at the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, the conservative nonprofit representing the plaintiffs, told The Washington Post. 'Thousands of workers and small businesses have been victimized, and hundreds of billions have been spent, distorting the market and inflating construction costs for the taxpayers. That ends now.'
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Trump administration moves to upend $37B affirmative action program
The Trump administration moved Wednesday to dismantle one of the federal government's largest and longest-standing affirmative action programs, siding with two White-owned contracting businesses that challenged its constitutionality. In a motion filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the Justice Department said that a Transportation Department program that has carved out an estimated $37 billion for minority- and women-owned businesses violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution. If a judge approves the proposed settlement, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE) will be prohibited from awarding contracts based on race and sex, effectively ending its founding mission. 'Over the past five decades, the federal government imposed a policy of race discrimination in the roadbuilding industry,' said Dan Lennington, deputy counsel at the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, the conservative nonprofit representing the plaintiffs. 'Thousands of workers and small businesses have been victimized, and hundreds of billions have been spent, distorting the market and inflating construction costs for the taxpayers. That ends now.' The settlement is still subject to challenge by a coalition of businesses that intervened in the case after President Donald Trump took office, arguing that the program is essential to removing entrenched barriers that minorities and women face in the $759 billion contracting sector. First authorized by Congress in 1983, the program serves roughly 49,000 businesses designated as 'disadvantaged.' The case was brought in 2023 by Mid-America Milling and Bagshaw Trucking, both Indiana-based transportation companies whose owners alleged they lost out on jobs when the agency began awarding contracts through the 'largest, and perhaps oldest affirmative action program in U.S. history.' The DBE was most recently authorized under the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, as well as through the $105 billion in federal funding for airport and flight safety improvements. In September, U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove, a George W. Bush appointee, partially blocked the program on the grounds the plaintiffs were 'likely' to succeed on their claims. A permanent decision was pending before the parties agreed to settle. The DBE program, which is funded by the U.S. government but administered by states, earmarks at least 10 percent of the federal funding for transportation infrastructure to women- and minority-owned contracting firms. At the time of the ruling, the Biden administration argued that the DBE was necessary to help remedy the effects of past and ongoing discrimination in government contracting. But since taking office in January, Trump has issued a flurry of executive orders seeking to end any diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) measures by the government and beyond. The Justice Department, which a few months ago defended the program under President Joe Biden, wrote in Wednesday's filing that it 'reevaluated' its position in light of the June 2023 Supreme Court decision banning race-conscious college admissions. Even before Trump's return to the White House, a number of federal affirmative action programs had been enjoined by the courts on constitutional grounds, with plaintiffs alleging that the Supreme Court's college affirmative action decision barred the government from granting benefits based on race. In September 2023, a Tennessee judge ruled that a Small Business Administration 8(a) program for minority contractors could no longer presume certain ethnic groups were inherently 'disadvantaged' — a key requirement to receive set-asides for government contracts. In March 2024, a federal judge in Texas ordered the 55-year-old Minority Business Development Agency to open its doors to all, including White entrepreneurs. Those court cases were part of a broader wave of resistance to DEI in higher education and the private sector, as well as the idea that certain racial groups are inherently more disadvantaged than others. Proponents of the DBE program — and others that grant preferences based on race and sex — say its loss could prove devastating for underrepresented groups in the government contracting world. Such programs were created in the 1960s and 1970s to address pervasive race and gender discrimination in the private and contracting sectors, the effects of which they say have not been fully erased. Supporters say many businesses will fold if the programs go away.
Tourism Breaking News
21-05-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Dubai participates at IMEX 2025 highlights the city's position as a premier destination for international business events
Post Views: 77 Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city's official convention bureau and part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism successfully participated at IMEX Frankfurt joined by key stakeholders. At IMEX, a delegation of 30 stakeholders from across the sector has joined DBE in showcasing Dubai's credentials as a premier global hub for business events. The delegation includes leading hotels, venues, DMCs, airlines and other service providers including Emirates, Expo City Dubai, and Dubai World Trade Centre, together highlighting Dubai's ability to deliver dynamic world-class events at the intersection of innovation, knowledge-sharing and sustainable growth. This comes as Dubai continues to earn global recognition, this week being confirmed as #1 globally for highest attendee number per association meeting in 2024, and once again ranking #1 in the Middle East for the total number of association meetings hosted during the period, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Cvent has this week also confirmed that Dubai maintained its #1 position among the Top 25 Meeting Destinations in the Middle East and Africa. The accolades further demonstrate the city's ability to both host prolific events and facilitate event growth for associations, allowing them to tap into the market and increase global access to members. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: 'As we engage with the global industry at IMEX Frankfurt, we are reinforcing Dubai's position as a strategic destination for impactful business events. Our consistent top rankings from ICCA and Cvent, and growing pipeline of major international events, are the result of a focused and collaborative approach with our stakeholders, as we work collectively to reinforce the emirate's position as a premier global hub for the MICE industry. Business events are integral to our tourism strategy and are increasingly driving progress across key sectors. They are playing a vital role in advancing the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 – to position Dubai as one of the world's most innovative, inclusive and future-ready cities, as guided and championed by the visionary leadership of the UAE.' Dubai's participation aligns with this year's IMEX theme – Impact 2.0: Activating the Future – emphasising the global events community's responsibility to address major global and community challenges while driving positive change through events, partnerships and initiatives. In line with this vision, Dubai continues to attract business events that not only grow visitation but also support innovation and deeper engagement across its economic sectors. This directly contributes to the D33 economic agenda, which aims to place Dubai among the top three global cities for business and leisure. Dubai's momentum was further underscored by a record 437 successful bids secured in 2024 to host international conferences, congresses and incentive programmes, a 20% year-on-year increase. These events are set to attract over 210,000 delegates to Dubai in the coming years, significantly contributing to the city's business and tourism ecosystem. Among the high-profile events won: Amway ESAN 2025, the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums 2025, the Global Symposium on Health Systems Research 2026, the World Congress on Medical Informatics 2027, ISAPS Olympiad World Congress 2027, Forever Living Products Global Rally 2026, the Scientific Assembly and Associated Events of the Committee on Space Research 2028 and The International Conference on Computer Vision 2029. Dubai continues to see strong growth in tourism aligned with its MICE strategy. In 2024, the city welcomed a record 18.72 million international overnight visitors, a 9% year-on-year increase. That momentum has continued into 2025, with 5.31 million international visitors arriving between January and March, marking a 3% increase compared to Q1 2024. Business events have been a key contributor to this sustained growth, generating economic impact across sectors and further strengthening Dubai's global brand. Further enhancing the city's capacity to meet rising demand in the events space, a key development includes an expansion plan for the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. As part of broader urban development initiatives including the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion, the project is a strategic investment aimed at reinforcing Dubai's position as a global platform for major conferences and exhibitions, enabling the city to host larger and more complex events that deliver long-term value that meets increasing demand and attendance. IMEX remains a cornerstone of DBE's global engagement strategy, providing an essential platform to connect with international associations and networks. Dubai continues to use such platforms to strengthen global partnerships and attract events that support its economic, social and sustainability priorities.
Daily Maverick
15-05-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
Go figure — alarming number of SA schools no longer offer maths as a subject
Mathematics is no longer taught at more than 450 South African public schools, raising alarm among education experts, unions and civil society. A total of 464 public schools across South Africa do not offer learners the option of studying mathematics. This was revealed in response to a parliamentary question by EFF MP Mandla Shikwambana to the minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube. The provincial breakdown of public schools that do not teach mathematics is: KwaZulu-Natal — 135 schools; Eastern Cape — 84 schools; Limpopo — 78 schools; Western Cape — 61 schools; Gauteng — 31 schools; North West — 31 schools; Northern Cape — 19 schools; Free State — 14 schools; and Mpumalanga — 11 schools. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) says there are several reasons why schools do not offer mathematics. One significant factor is linked to learner subject selection. As learners in Grade 10 choose their subject streams based on their interests and potential career paths, schools may find that the demand for core mathematics is not sufficient. 'While Mathematics remains a high-priority subject, schools — particularly smaller ones — may not have sufficient resources or demand to offer both Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy,' read the parliamentary reply. Beyond demand driven by learner choice, schools also face operational and resource-based challenges. According to the DBE, even if some learners are interested, there might be limited enrolment in the mathematics stream, which can make it unviable to run a full class. There is also a shortage of qualified mathematics teachers, while budgetary and timetabling constraints can also limit the subjects a school offers. Targeted interventions The department said it was actively promoting the offering of mathematics in all schools and had several interventions to address the situation, including: Regular monthly engagement with provincial education departments to share best practices and address challenges; Subject advocacy to encourage schools and learners to choose mathematics over mathematical literacy, where appropriate; Supporting provinces to strengthen teacher capacity and learner performance; and Ongoing professional development focusing on improving teaching methodology to enhance learner understanding and retention in mathematics. Specific strategic interventions have also been put in place by the minister of basic education and the DBE to improve learner participation and performance in mathematics. These include the Mathematics, Science and Technology Conditional Grant, which supports teaching, learning and resourcing in specified secondary and primary schools by providing equipment, teacher training and learner support. The department is also reviewing a trilateral cooperation framework with other departments to consolidate efforts and maximise the impact of aligned mathematics priorities, particularly in teacher development. Other initiatives include: Placing new impetus on the Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Focus Schools Programme for specialised learning environments; Rolling out a mother tongue-based bilingual education initiative to overcome language barriers; Prioritising early childhood development and Foundation Phase education as the cornerstone of future mathematics success; Reviewing post-provisioning norms to ensure smaller Foundation Phase class sizes and prioritisation of numeracy posts; Updating the National Catalogue of Learning and Teaching Support Materials; and Protecting teaching and learning time through focuses such as time on task, teacher preparedness and textbooks. Deepening inequality Research shows that mathematics promotes logical reasoning, analytical thinking and mental discipline, helping learners develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are applicable beyond the classroom. Early mathematics education helps children develop foundational skills such as pattern recognition, spatial awareness and logical reasoning, which are crucial for overall cognitive development and later academic success. Furthermore, mathematics opens access to higher education opportunities and Stem careers, which are increasingly important in a technology-driven world. The Department of Basic Education director-general, Hubert Mathanzima Mweli, said during the technical briefing ahead of the 2024 National Senior Certificate results in January, that the department was concerned about BSM subjects – business studies, accounting and economics. The department was equally concerned about the enrolment in mathematics, which saw a decline of 12,000, the highest in recent years. Mweli highlighted that these trends could have dire implications for South Africa's academic landscape and economic future. He added that President Cyril Ramaphosa had given the department a clear instruction to find ways to improve enrolment in technical subjects and mathematics. Gwarube echoed similar sentiments, warning of a spike in learners who progress through the basic education system without mastering foundational skills, particularly in literacy and numeracy. She said this hindered learners' abilities to succeed in higher grades, diminishing their prospects of accessing further education and employment opportunities. 'This trend manifests itself in the perennial decrease of enrolment in subjects such as physical sciences, mathematics, accounting and economics, which are all subjects that are critical for a nation's ability to advance in science, innovation and economic development,' she said. The National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) said the high number of schools not teaching mathematics did not bode well for the education system. Naptosa spokesperson Basil Manuel said schools not teaching mathematics would hinder the progress of South Africa's education system, and the department needed to restore mathematics to the curricula of these schools. The Public Servants Association (PSA) said schools that didn't teach mathematics were predominantly in underprivileged communities, exacerbating inequalities in the education system. 'These learners would have limited options and study courses that are not needed by the market, thus condemning them to perpetual unemployment and poverty. This alarming development highlights a severe crisis in the education system that demands urgent attention and action,' said the PSA. When teachers struggle, learners struggle Khula Education is a non-profit organisation that works in partnership with rural schools and underserved communities in KwaZulu-Natal. Each year, the organisation supports more than 6,450 children and young people, along with more than 300 teachers in 22 rural schools. Khula provides high-quality early childhood education through its preschools, supplementary teaching in maths and English at primary and secondary levels, and ongoing professional development for teachers. In addition, the organisation offers tailored support for young people to help them prepare for and access further education and meaningful employment. Christopher Magunda, the head of Khula's mathematics department, said that teacher confidence was often undermined by systemic issues and a lack of content knowledge, which have a negative impact on learner confidence and career aspirations. 'From my experience, I've seen that once teachers lack confidence, it filters on to the learners, and then learners believe that maths is difficult. Teacher confidence is the main culprit when it comes to students dropping maths,' he said. 'Besides deflating their personal confidence, it even affects their aspirations in life. So, mathematics is key. Regardless of which subjects you're talking about or which career paths you want to follow, you require maths,' he said. Magunda said that if schools stopped teaching mathematics, the skills shortage would persist. 'If we look at the current situation in South Africa, there is always a cry of a lack of skills; it doesn't seem like we are working towards alleviating that problem in the near future. It means that the problem of skills shortage is going to persist unless some kind of intervention is done,' he said. One of the key interventions is teacher support. 'In the short term, we can talk about teacher support, because these newly appointed teachers are just thrown into the deep end. They are put into the classrooms and they are unequipped with any tools that they need. 'You'd find sometimes there are no subject advisers who are supposed to support the teachers in the classroom, so at the end of the day, the teachers are just doing what they think is the correct thing to do,' he said. DM
