The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) named Chris James (Eastern Band Cherokee), CEO and president of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (The National Center) to serve on its Council on Underserved Communities. James was named to the Council by SBA's Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.
The Council on Underserved Communities was reconvened by the Biden administration and is tasked with furthering the equity priorities of the administration by making programmatic and policy recommendations to Administrator Guzman to increase access and opportunity across SBA’s programs and initiatives to help level the playing field for all of America’s entrepreneurs.
Want more Native News? Get the free daily newsletter today.
As the head of The National Center, James brings a wealth of knowledge to the Council relating to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian small business owners. The appointment is a good fit for James, who served as associate administrato at SBA from 2011 - 2016, where he was a Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee of President Barack Obama where he oversaw the Office of Field Operations, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Office of Native American Affairs.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to represent The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and the communities we serve on the Small Business Administration’s Council on Underserved Communities,” James said. “By focusing on equitable access to SBA programs and services, the Council will help ensure that all small business owners are provided the tools they need to succeed."
Drawing from the nation’s most diverse and accomplished small business owners, community leaders, and advocates, Administrator Guzman’s CUC membership represents the voices and interests of America’s diverse small business owners, including those in disadvantaged groups such as women and communities of color. Together, the CUC’s members will work to promote public investment and policy formation to address the barriers facing underserved small businesses.
The National Center is already working on behalf of Native Entrepreneurs, including:
- Providing no-cost professional business consulting and technical assistance to more than 1,100 clients
- Facilitating more than 5.300 contracts, resulting in nearly $4 billion in contracts and more than 65,000 jobs over the last 20 years
- Hosting 12 nationwide Native Edge Institutes in 2021, bringing premier business development instruction sessions to nine states, more than 650 in-person and virtual attendees, and 12,000 viewers on Facebook
Read more about The National Center’s fellow CUC members in the SBA’s full release here. Additional information about the CUC can be found at www.sba.gov/CUC. The SBA will announce CUC additional members in the coming weeks as well as the official meeting dates.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsNative News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Native News Online Post-Election Survey Shows Trump-Harris Split, Reservation Divide
Six Native American Women Making a Difference in Indian Country
Google Celebrates Native American Heritage Month with a Doodle Using a Kayak
Support Independent Indigenous Journalism That Holds Power to Account
With the election now decided, Native News Online is recommitting to our core mission: rigorous oversight of federal Indian policy and its impact on tribal communities.
The previous Trump administration’s record on Indian Country — from the reduction of sacred sites to aggressive energy development on tribal lands — demands heightened vigilance as we enter this new term. Our Indigenous-centered newsroom will provide unflinching coverage of policies affecting tribal sovereignty, sacred site protection, MMIR issues, water rights, Indian health, and economic sovereignty.
This critical watchdog journalism requires resources. Your support, in any amount, helps maintain our independent, Native-serving news coverage. Every contribution helps keep our news free for all of our relatives. Please donate today to ensure Native News Online can thrive and deliver impactful, independent journalism.
