Hi all,  

We have a very important ask - join us in pushing the US Government to add a MENA category to all government documents. 

 

Right now, we are counted as “white” and are systematically excluded from equal opportunity and equal protection.

 

We have been seen as foreign by the government and the public while also being invisible. During COVID-19, we didn’t have enough data on MENA communities to help fight the pandemic amongst our communities. We were left behind. And even though small business ownership and entrepreneurialism is a huge part of the MENA community, the lack of MENA data keeps policymakers and program officials blind to the obstacles we face establishing a successful small business.  

 

This is our chance to ensure that the government recognizes and meets the needs of MENA communities. This is our chance to change history. 

 

If we are successful, MENA communities will finally be eligible to receive better protection, support, and federal funding, allowing for more equitable health, education, political representation, and support for small businesses in our communities. If they don’t receive enough feedback, they could decide that this is not an efficient use of resources and not add a category. We cannot let that happen. 

 

As the White House Office of Budget and Management, put April 12, 2023 as the deadline to receive public comments (they asked for 10,000 public comments and as of March 31st, 2023, we are sitting on 7280 comments,) Please join us in advocating to the US government to count MENA communities. Submit your comment here http://bit.ly/supportMENA, and please encourage your peers, family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. We have created template comments, so it should only take you two minutes! Help us #CountMENAIn. 

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5/4/23 Update, the Office of Management and Budget informed us that out of over 14,000 letters and comments received, 13,350 of them were accepted, so here we are ready for the next step... please stay tuned