Across the nation, neighborhoods are celebrating Juneteenth—which marks when Federal troops arrived in Galveston Texas to enforce the end of slavery promised in the Emancipation Proclamation.

About 2 and a half years after it was signed.

“Juneteenth, if anything, as we've heard, while it was progress delayed, did represent progress,” said Rep. Justin Flemming, (D-105).

In Pennsylvania, the Black Legislative Caucus took time this week to highlight victories—and continued battles—for minority communities in the state.

“For the first time in last year's budget, we provided $20 million for disadvantaged business enterprises,” said Flemming.

Setting that money aside for future grants is one of several economic development mile markers.

“We’re trying to get more minority businesses, state contracting opportunities,” said Thomas GW Jordan, a goal specialist for small businesses in the Bureau of Diversity & Inclusion in the state.

Several years ago, a state study found discrimination happened when awarding the contracts;

“In some fields it can be who you know, so sometimes people are just getting contracts based off of their relationship, not based off the merit, not based off of the quality of work, not based off of the expertize,” said Jordan.

Now, in 2023, over $1 billion in state contracts were awarded to small diverse businesses. Several state departments also have embraced mentor-ship programs.

“[They] essentially help minority businesses who want to become prime contractors, who want to get more opportunities, actually have somebody or a business that has done it before— and they can teach them about opportunity and show them how things are done,” said Jordan. 

Looking ahead, the Caucus wants to see laws against hair discrimination in place, more resources for health and housing crises, safe communities, and education funding.

“House Bill 2370, which would actually, based upon a formula, give under-resourced schools the resources that they need that wealthy schools, districts have enjoyed for decades, for the first time ever. We need the senate to pass house bill 2370,” said Flemming.