The next era of Black business growth: Building pathways to ownership in a changing policy landscape

Black-owned businesses are vital sources of job creation, innovation, community wealth, and economic opportunity. But the policies and institutions designed to support Black entrepreneurs are changing: Long-standing federal approaches to identifying social and economic disadvantage are being restructured, while place-based incentives struggle to expand business ownership in targeted communities.

On Wednesday, November 18, 2026, the Center for Community Uplift at Brookings—in partnership with the Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE)—will convene scholars, entrepreneurs, practitioners, and policy leaders to consider how public policy can support Black business formation, ownership, and growth in a changing legal and economic environment. The event builds on the collaboration between Brookings and CBE that aims to translate emerging academic research into actionable policy recommendations.

The discussion seeks to move beyond the choice between preserving older programs and abandoning intentional support for Black entrepreneurs. Instead, it will consider how policymakers, investors, lenders, philanthropy, anchor institutions, and business-support organizations can build more effective and durable systems to generate wealth and strengthen local communities.

This event will be open to attend in person or watch online. Online viewers can submit questions via email to [email protected].