Study demonstrates forward-thinking programs

January 28, 2002

ATLANTA/CHARLOTTE: The Southeastern Legal Foundation today released a Special Report on Race-Neutral Alternative Affirmative Action Programs, outlining a number of successful, legal affirmative action programs used by various local governments across the U.S. The Report, which suggests various methods for ensuring marketplace participation, focuses on local government contracting programs.

"As promised two weeks ago at the time Southeastern Legal Foundation filed suit challenging Charlotte's race- and gender-based program for public contracting, there are better, more equitable and legal ways to ensure participation by minorities, small businesses and local businesses," said Phil Kent, SLF President.

"While Charlotte officials debate the substance of a new program for city contracting, we believe it is important to have the information available to assist in that process," said Kent. "Ending unconstitutional programs is merely the first step in assuring equal opportunity under the law -- developing forward-thinking programs is the next."

Kent points out that cities like Richmond, VA, which failed to develop aggressive race-neutral programs following the court defeat of its program in 1989, have seen declines in minority participation. "But, if you review a successful race-neutral program like that adopted by the city of Detroit, it becomes clear that local and small business enterprise programs designed and implemented properly will result in higher minority participation than even under the old, illegal quota programs," said Kent. "Evidence will bear this out, and Charlotte will want to take note."

Kent says that aggressive small business and local business enterprise programs, combined with big-to-small business mentoring programs, will provide "the right kind of broad opportunity for young and small companies to enter the economic mainstream in a meaningful way."

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

For More Information Contact:
Media Relations
media@southeasternlegal.org
(404) 365-8500