DETROIT, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, traveled to Detroit, Michigan, to kick off the Investing in America tour with a spotlight on the Black Small Business Boom under the Biden-Harris Administration.

Administrator Guzman started her day with Congressman Shri Thanedar on the Avenue of Fashion, a historic, predominantly Black-owned shopping district in Detroit. There, they visited and toured MAC Galleries, an art gallery and custom framing and installation business, with co-owner James McKissic. Afterward, they visited The Shoe Box, a local Black-owned men’s shoe store. Administrator Guzman and Congressman Thanedar concluded their Avenue of Fashion small business visits at Krispy Addicts Clothing Boutique, a Black-owned street stylish clothing boutique.

Administrator Guzman discussed with the business owners how Black business ownership is growing at its fastest rate in more than three decades under the Biden-Harris Administration, with the rate of Black households that own a business having more than doubled. They also discussed continued efforts in the Biden-Harris Administration to build upon this progress and support Black entrepreneurship as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

After the business visits concluded, Administrator Guzman and Congressman Thanedar led a roundtable discussion with local Black business owners at the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance, where they discussed the rise of Black entrepreneurship under the Biden-Harris Administration and the ongoing Small Business Boom, which has seen more than 423,000 applications to start new businesses in Michigan since the President took office.

For follow-up interview requests for Administrator Guzman, please contact Teddy Lake at Theodora.Lake@sba.gov

Event photos are available upon request to press_office@sba.gov

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration  
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.  

Christine Saah-Nazer
U.S. Small Business Administration
202-756-0304
christine.saahnazer@sba.gov

Han Nguyen
U.S. Small Business Administration
202-756-0304
han.nguyen@sba.gov

Rebecca Galanti
U.S. Small Business Administration
202-756-0304
rebecca.galanti@sba.gov