Debunking the myth: Trump’s track record with black communities

By Emmanuel Ihim

Former President Donald Trump has often been labeled a racist by the Left and main stream media, yet his actions as both a private citizen and a public official suggest a different reality.

President Donald Trump’s records demonstrate immense support for economic empowerment, educational advancement, and criminal justice reform for people of color, particularly within the Black community.

His efforts to uplift Black entrepreneurs enact significant criminal justice reforms, and secure unprecedented funding for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) paint a complex picture of a leader dedicated to inclusivity and opportunity.

The author, Emmanuel Ihim Esq.

Below are key examples, along with documented sources, that highlight Trump’s dedication to these communities.

Supporting Black Business Owners and Revitalizing Urban Communities:

1. Championing Minority-Owned Businesses through the NMSDC
Throughout his business career, Trump supported minority-owned businesses by working with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).

This organization links minority-owned businesses with major corporations, enabling them to access larger markets and secure valuable contracts.

By purchasing goods and services from NMSDC-certified businesses, Trump helped create economic opportunities for Black and minority entrepreneurs, underscoring his commitment to building economic empowerment through enterprise rather than solely relying on government support.

2. Inclusive Hiring Practices in the Trump Organization

Throughout his career, Trump’s companies have fostered an inclusive workplace, long demonstrated inclusive hiring practices, employing a diverse workforce across his many business ventures.

One prominent example is Lynne Patton, an African American woman who held a senior executive role within the Trump Organization. Patton has publicly praised Trump for creating career advancement opportunities, citing his commitment to promoting talent based on merit, regardless of race.

Her professional journey reflects Trump’s openness to elevating individuals of color into key positions. During his presidency, Trump appointed Patton to serve in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a role that further underscored his confidence in her leadership abilities and his commitment to diversity.

Patton’s testimony offers valuable insights into Trump’s record of hiring minorities and highlighting his record of inclusivity and her own positive experiences working with him.

Her role at HUD demonstrated Trump’s dedication to placing capable, diverse leaders in impactful positions within his administration.

3. Urban Investment and Neighborhood Revitalization

As a real estate developer, Donald Trump made substantial investments in urban areas, particularly in neighborhoods with predominantly Black and Hispanic populations.

By funding development projects in distressed areas like the Bronx and Harlem in New York City, as well as other major urban centers, Trump contributed to job creation and economic uplift in communities historically underserved.

These investments provided vital work opportunities for local contractors, many of whom were minority-owned businesses, which in turn stimulated local economies and offered indirect support to Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs.

Trump’s commitment to urban revitalization reflects his belief in empowering communities through sustainable economic development.

Rather than relying solely on government programs, these projects created lasting economic lifelines in high-minority areas, offering employment, improving infrastructure, and supporting local businesses, which strengthened the community’s economic foundation.

Trump’s urban development efforts in neighborhoods like the Black communities illustrate his broader initiative to revitalize struggling urban areas and support communities in need. Learn more about Trump’s urban revitalization projects here.

4. Criminal Justice Reform – The First Step Act

One of Trump’s landmark achievements as President was the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill signed into law in 2018 reduced mass incarceration.

This legislation aimed to address sentencing disparities and offer second chances to non-violent offenders, many of whom are African American and Hispanic.

The Act included sentence reductions for good behavior, reformed mandatory minimums, and introduced new rehabilitation programs to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society.

Thousands of inmates were released under the First Step Act, which received praise from advocacy groups across the political spectrum for its focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

The Act is widely seen as a historic step in addressing systemic issues within the U.S. justice system and reflects Trump’s commitment to rectifying racial disparities in sentencing.

The Sentencing Project highlights the impact of the First Step Act on reducing mass incarceration and new opportunities for individuals affected by harsh sentencing laws.

In addition to policy reforms, Trump personally granted clemency to numerous individuals, including several African Americans who had been handed disproportionately harsh sentences.

One of the most notable cases was that of Alice Johnson, a woman who received a life sentence for a first-time, non-violent drug offense. Trump’s decision to commute her sentence became a powerful symbol of his approach to criminal justice reform and his willingness to give individuals a second chance.

Johnson’s release was widely celebrated and became a testament of Trump’s commitment to offering clemency where justice was not served.

His record on clemency underscored his belief in redemption and second chances, values that resonate deeply within communities affected by America’s stringent sentencing laws.

5. Historic Funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
During his administration, Trump made history by securing permanent funding for HBCUs.

In 2019, he signed a bipartisan bill that provided over $250 million annually to HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions. This funding ensured financial stability for these institutions, which play a critical role in educating Black Americans educating Black Americans.

Trump expanded Pell Grant eligibility, helping low-income students attend college, and allocated funds for HBCU campuses affected by natural disasters.

This sustained support for HBCUs was unprecedented and became a defining feature of Trump’s commitment to educational advancement within Black communities.

Trump’s actions demonstrated a dedication to investing in institutions that serve as cultural and educational pillars for the Black community.

6. Opportunity Zones: Transforming Distressed Communities

As part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Trump established the Opportunity Zones program to encourage investment in economically distressed areas across the U.S.

By offering tax incentives to businesses that invest in these zones, Trump’s administration attracted billions of dollars in private capital to support job creation and economic growth.

More than 8,700 communities, many with high Black and Hispanic populations, were designated as opportunity zones.

This program has been credited with creating jobs, boosting local economies, and providing residents in underserved communities with more resources and opportunities.

Trump’s focus on self-sustaining economic programs, rather than direct government assistance, showcased his belief in empowering communities through investment.

The success of Opportunity Zones in promoting economic development in distressed areas was also highlighted by Forb.

Conclusion: A President Committed to Equality and Opportunity for All

Far from fitting a simplistic label, Donald Trump’s record demonstrates his commitment to fostering opportunities for people of color, particularly within the Black community.

His support for Black entrepreneurs, historic funding for HBCUs, transformative criminal justice reforms, and dedication to revitalizing underserved communities reflect a leader committed to a fairer, more inclusive America.

Trump’s legacy includes opening doors to economic empowerment, supporting educational institutions, and providing second chances through criminal justice reform. For the Black community, his policies have represented pathways to financial independence, educational attainment, and justice.

These actions underscore a profound dedication to inclusivity and opportunity—principles central to America’s ideals.

This election presents an opportunity for Black Americans and all citizens to support a vision for an America where every individual, regardless of race or background, can pursue their dreams in a land of opportunity and equality.

Emmanuel Ihim, Esq. is a minister calling, lawyer by profession, and activist by passion. Ihim can be reached at Phone: +1 (817) 262-8885 | +1 (202) 446-7555; Email: info@DiasporaAlliance.us

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