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One year ago, on Martin Luther King Day, I stepped in to lead the Minority Business Development Agency. Today, this same holiday will mark the end of my time at MBDA and a transition of administrations.Â
I can think of no more appropriate day for this transition than Martin Luther King Day. Dr. King’s legacy reminds us of the promise of success inherent in a more just and equitable world. And importantly, it reminds us of the headwinds we face along the journey and the devastating consequences of failing to achieve that promise. Â
I took this job in many ways because of MBDA’s role in that promise. Â
My tenure was fueled by my love for the people we serve, the MBDA team, and MBDA’s critical mission to empower minority business enterprises (MBEs) to fully participate in the growth of the U.S. economy. Â
Leading MBDA has been an honor. I am grateful to have been a part of so many historic milestones for the Agency, and the Department of Commerce, during my tenure with the Biden-Harris Administration.
I am profoundly thankful for the opportunity to work with and learn from career civil servants, our partners around the country, and advocates throughout the world who understand MBDA’s work is not only important but is essential to the national security and competitiveness of this country.
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FinTechs have the capacity to function as an alternative funding source for minority business enterprises (MBEs), and help solve the biggest challenge for minority businesses — access to capital.
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Leveraging Financial Advice from MBDA CRPÂ
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Founded in 2022 by Dr. Suma Metla, Three Little Ducks LLC is a women-owned business that specializes in pediatric physical therapy and offers a variety of child development educational resources throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Â
Dr. Metla and her team work with children or “Keiki” and their families to help improve mobility, strength, coordination, balance, and functional independence in daily activities. Her company provides resources to help caregivers, educators, and healthcare professionals ensure that keiki reach developmental milestones, address potential challenges, and nurture their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.Â
Last year, Dr. Metla enrolled in MBDA’s Capital Readiness Program (CRP), operated by YWCA Oahu, to gain a better understanding of the financing options available to help grow her business and increase operational efficiency. This CRP Accelerator program, designed to help established women-owned businesses in Hawaii grow and increase profitability, covers critical areas such as financial statement analysis, business principles, and pitch preparation. Â
Capital readiness is crucial for maintaining financial health, supporting growth, and building resilience in the competitive and ever-changing business landscape.Â
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Businesses that prioritize capital readiness are better positioned to achieve their goals, adapt to challenges, and achieve long-term sustainability. Â
Dr. Metla understands that being capital-ready improves the chances of successfully obtaining loans, investments, grants, and other sources of business financing, so she actively participated in the YWCA Oahu CRP Accelerator Cohort, taking advantage of their Wrap Around Counseling and attending networking events. As a result, between May 2024 and January 2025, Three Little Ducks LLC secured approximately $45,000 in capital which will be used primarily to build capacity and hire new staff.Â
“Going through the Accelerator widened my level of education. The one-on-one counseling made me feel more confident and brave,” said Dr. Metla. “The sessions helped me feel comfortable in leaning on my team and instilled that I shouldn’t put it all on myself. This programming is so high quality and timely, I’m grateful for the services they provide.”Â
We congratulate Three Little Ducks LLC on their early successes attracting new capital and look forward to sharing more information about their ongoing efforts. Click the button below to learn more about the Capital Readiness Program.Â
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Everybody Knows Ron Uba
Ronald “Ron” Uba grew up near Denver, Colorado where he remembers experiencing court ordered busing to and from school and seeing his parents struggle with the limitations redlining placed on their community. Today, he serves as MBDA’s Senior Business Development Specialist in support of the Agency’s mission to promote the growth of Minority Business Enterprises through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research.Â
Ron started his tenure with the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1998 as the Partnerships Specialist for the New York/New Jersey Offices of the U. S. Census Bureau and recalls being at work in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, when the hijacked United Airlines Flight 11 struck floors 93 to 99 of the North Tower. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Ron focused on helping his team, at the Census Bureau, to adjust to the profound personal and professional changes they faced. Additionally, as the then President of the Japanese American Citizen's League (JACL), Ron steered his community’s opposition to the increased discrimination and hate crimes against Muslims and people perceived as Middle Eastern or South Asian.Â
In 2002, Ron accepted a position with the MBDA New York Office. He moved to Washington, DC soon thereafter and has lived in the Washington, DC metropolitan area ever since. Ron’s passion for supporting social and economic justice is fueled by the history of his parents and grandparents being among the 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry uprooted from their homes and forced into internment camps by the United States Government during the Second World War. His work at MBDA is largely inspired and influenced by his mentor and uncle, Norman Yoshio Mineta, the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Commerce, who was the driving force behind the passage of H.R. 442, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which officially apologized for and redressed the injustices endured by Japanese Americans during World War II. Â
Over his career, Ron has amassed a vast network of professional and personal contacts. He has an amazing memory for names and faces, and a seemingly innate ability to identify, engage, and enlist the support of gatekeepers, from both the public and private sectors, in support of the nation’s 11 million MBEs. He has worked tirelessly to translate political decisions into actionable policies and is a valued member of the MBDA team.Â
When asked what advice he would give to younger generations of federal employees, Ron replied, “Your past is the prologue of your life. Look at your past and use the embers of previous challenges and successes to build your future. Hone your skills, work hard, and build mutually beneficial relationships with others. These traits were taught to me by my parents, exemplified by my uncle, Norman Mineta, and have helped me to build a career that I can be proud of.”Â
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 This month, MBDA signed memorandum of understandings (MOUs) with the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce (OJC) and Move America, Inc.
MBDA's agreement with OJC aims to empower Orthodox Jewish businesses by building public awareness of programs and services, and addressing barriers such as limited access to capital, networks and government contracts. The ceremonial signing was followed by a roundtable discussion regarding the challenges these businesses face and opportunities available them.
The agreement with Move America, Inc. will solidify collaboration to strengthen America's industrial base and supply chain by increasing access to government contracts, resources, and services for MBEs. Move America's Executive Director, Earl Wyatt, joined the MBDA team at the U.S. Department of Commerce for the ceremonial signing.Â
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 MBDA Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (WEP) - Aims to assist and address barriers traditionally experienced by women entrepreneurs by increasing capacity of these MBEs.
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 Parren J. Mitchell Entrepreneurship Education Program - Partners with minority-serving institutions to deliver resources and training to empower young  entrepreneurships.
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 MBDA Rural Business Center Program - Provides technical assistance to Rural Minority Business Enterprises (RMBEs) for entrepreneurial development.
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