Thanks for Nothing

Title: Thanks for Nothing, Mr. Platinum Plan

Remember that time Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for minority business owners with his shiny, gold-lettered Platinum Plan? Yeah, I remember it too. Bold promises, big talk, and a whole lot of “I’ve done more for Black Americans than anyone except maybe Lincoln.” We were supposed to get better access to capital, more opportunities, and a serious commitment to economic empowerment.

Fast forward to today—and surprise! The same man who promised to lift up minority businesses is now swinging the axe at the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). You know, the only federal agency specifically created to support minority-owned businesses. Because clearly, nothing says “support” like gutting the one institution designed to help us navigate systemic barriers.

Let’s talk about what the MBDA actually does—because this isn’t just some paper-pushing agency with a fancy title. This organization has been helping minority-owned businesses thrive for over 50 years. It offers real, hands-on support. Things like:

• Access to Capital: MBDA connects minority entrepreneurs with lenders, investors, and other funding sources. It helps businesses secure loans and investment capital that they might otherwise be locked out of due to bias or lack of networks.

• Contract Opportunities: The agency helps businesses land lucrative government and private-sector contracts, ensuring minority-owned firms get a piece of the pie when it comes to federal procurement and large-scale projects.

• Business Consulting: MBDA centers offer professional consulting services, helping businesses scale, optimize operations, expand into new markets, and develop long-term strategic plans.

• Global Expansion Support: For minority businesses ready to grow internationally, the MBDA facilitates export assistance and global partnership connections.

• Advocacy and Policy Influence: The agency isn’t just helping business owners one-on-one—it also influences policy to promote equity, reduce structural barriers, and ensure minority voices are heard at the highest levels.

And now… poof. Gone. Because why keep an agency that levels the playing field when you can just say you care about minority businesses instead?

This is the same administration that once dropped the Platinum Plan on our laps like it was the holy grail of Black economic empowerment. You remember it, right? Promises of $500 billion in capital, creating 500,000 new Black-owned businesses, increasing access to education and jobs, and strengthening protections for religious freedom. It was packaged so nicely, it almost made you forget that very little of it ever materialized.

Now here we are, with Trump campaigning again—probably dusting off the same brochure—and at the same time dismantling the only federal agency built to make those kinds of promises actually possible.

So if you’re surprised, maybe you weren’t paying attention. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s time we all learn the difference between campaign promises and actual governance.

Because the truth is, this isn’t just about Trump. It’s about a pattern. A pattern where politicians show up in our communities during election season with big smiles and bigger promises, only to vanish—or worse, undo the progress—once the votes are counted.

Going forward, I’m done listening to the speeches. I don’t care how many pastors they line up behind a podium or how many “urban initiatives” they slap a name on. I’m watching the policies. The budgets. The line items. Because when someone tells you who they are—especially by eliminating your seat at the table—you better believe them the first time.

The Platinum Plan? Turns out it was gold-plated nonsense. And the MBDA? That was the real infrastructure of opportunity. And we’re not going to forget who tried to burn it down.