Ahead of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams outlined how minority-owned small businesses face persistent structural barriers that restrict access to funding and growth opportunities.

Williams released a report on Tuesday titled Diverse Entrepreneurial Inclusion , which analyzed gaps in city contracting and outlines policy changes aimed at strengthening minority-owned small businesses at a time when many companies have scaled back diversity efforts amid conservative pushback.

Williams said small businesses built by immigrants, women and minority entrepreneurs are a core part of the city's identity and economic makeup, including in neighborhoods across Brooklyn.

“In New York City, we have long strived to celebrate diversity, rec

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