NEW YORK — Today, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis highlighted the Commonwealth’s efforts to expand economic opportunity and support small businesses during a historic panel conversation hosted by the Black Economic Alliance alongside Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell. The panel discussed how states are supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship while investing in community-based solutions on issues like housing, public safety and child care.
“It was an honor to participate in the Black Economic Alliance’s fourth annual Solutions Summit with my good friends and fellow lieutenant governors from Michigan and New Jersey,” said Lt. Gov. Davis, who also serves as chair of the Pennsylvania Advisory Council on Inclusive Procurement. “We’re taking the lead and bringing together elected officials, with the private and nonprofit sectors, to push for real change in our states. In the Commonwealth, we’re laser-focused on creating ladders of opportunity for every Pennsylvanian — no matter what they look like or where they come from — to build generational wealth and achieve the American dream, whatever that looks like for them.”
During the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Shapiro-Davis Administration directed more than $1 billion to small businesses, for the second consecutive year. Pennsylvania is now channeling more contracting dollars to small, small diverse, and veteran-owned businesses than ever before, including a 45 percent increase in spending with Black-owned and Latino-owned businesses over the past two years. Throughout FY 2024–25, the Shapiro-Davis Administration strengthened procurement practices, expanded outreach, and applied data-driven goal setting to connect more small businesses to contracting opportunities statewide.
“I’m proud to have joined today’s lieutenant governor-led panel shaping the solutions of tomorrow,” said Lt. Gov. Gilchrist. “This conversation represents our shared commitment to creating paths toward health, wealth, and opportunity for the people of our states. In Michigan, we’re dedicated to supporting innovation and uplifting our entrepreneurs through programs that we know work. Everyone deserves a fair shot at turning their potential into prosperity.”
Michigan is open for business and on the move, helping entrepreneurs of every background stay and succeed. The Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration has set and surpassed goals in contracting with minority-owned businesses, leveraged hundreds of millions in private capital to support diverse entrepreneurs and invested in Michigan’s world-class university ecosystem.
"It was a pleasure and an honor to join my fellow lieutenant governors for this historic panel,” said Lt. Gov. Caldwell. "Convenings like this remind us that when business leaders, policymakers, and advocates come together, we can turn bold ideas into reality. We know that when government removes barriers to knowledge, capital, and markets, entrepreneurship expands. Disadvantaged and marginalized communities gain access to solid work with pathways for promotion, higher wages, and wealth creation."
New Jersey is the 22nd-largest economy in the world, with world-class entrepreneurs and more scientists and engineers per square mile than almost anywhere. The Sherrill-Caldwell Administration is simplifying the path to sustainable business ownership and expanding procurement opportunities to tap into talent and strengthen Black economic progress and prosperity in New Jersey.
BEA is a coalition of business leaders and aligned advocates committed to economic progress and prosperity in the Black community with a specific focus on work, wages and wealth, and uses its collective power and business acumen to advance policies that can and will create economic opportunity in our communities and grow the overall U.S. economy.
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell speak at the Black Economic Alliance’s Solutions Summit.