Will there be an Obama Impact on DBE and MWBE Programs? Will Affirmative Action be reborn?

In my opinion there will be an impact but it will be more subtle than the renewal of the affirmative action programs of the past. What I see is increasing real enforcement of DBE programs on the federal level and a more aggressive (and courageous) stance on DMWBE program compliance on a state and local level. Typically candidates run to the right or left but govern toward the middle; right now it’s likely that Obama’s administration will concentrate on social and fiscal issues that will appeal to a broader spectrum. What we should look forward to will be more committed people being appointed to various agencies and commissions and later – judicial appointments that will look more favorably on programs that boost DMWBE participation. One quick result, I predict, will be a reduction in suits to overturn current local government diversity programs – which for the most part are right now guideline or target programs as opposed to quota programs. What we can hope for downstream is better, broader and more standardized diversity programs that will boost the growth of DMWBE firms in the AEC industry.

One near certainty is that some form of economic recovery will be directed toward the rebuilding of infrastructure. These programs should be primary targets for the DMWBE community. Will you be ready? Have you registered everywhere you can work? Are your registrations up to date?

Now is the time to shake some trees and see what fruit will fall out. Over the next week or two we’ll be making several pertinent posts.

What do you think? What will the Obama impact be?