Empowering Minority Businesses.
Driving Economic Equality.
We fight for the law and policy that helps minority business enterprises (MBEs) and minority entrepreneurs to grow, succeed, and eliminate the racial wealth gap.
What We Do
MBELDEF acts as a legal watchdog group for minority business enterprises and minority entrepreneurs in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure equal treatment and equal opportunity for minority-owned businesses.
Our primary purpose is to eradicate wealth disparities by empowering minority businesses to raise the economic prospects of all communities, but especially communities of color in the most need.
How We Do It
MBELDEF has historically been focused on three action areas:
Advocacy, Education & Organizing
A leader in legal advocacy
MBELDEF is the gold standard in legal advocacy for minority businesses, acting in the courts, legislatures, and through the regulatory process at the federal, state, and local levels to promote and enforce laws and policies that position minority business enterprises to become competitive players in domestic and global markets.
Ideally Positioned for Effective Results
We are uniquely prepared to marshal the past and current evidence of marketplace discrimination that is necessary for a strong legal defense for the policies that give minority businesses a fair chance and promote wealth generation for communities that need it.
Fighting Anti-MBE Extremists
MBELDEF is the only organization equipped with the skills and experience to take the legal fight to the well-funded and well-organized conservative legal foundations currently attacking minority business programs. And we have the know-how to teach others to build new and innovative programs to advance MBE success.
NON-PARTISAN EDUCATION ON MBE LAW & POLICY
MBELDEF has rich and admirable experience of providing non-partisan education and testimony to Congress, the bar and the executive branch on all aspects of law and policy related to minority business enterprises.
Empowering MBES to Determine Their Own Destiny
Our training and education efforts are first and foremost intended to empower minority-owned businesses themselves to defend policies that promote fairness and to build exciting, effective and legally defensible new programs where they are needed or where they have been struck down.
MBELDEF is a trusted intermediary that collaborates and coordinates with various minority business organizations and their members to inform and build a common cause on minority business legal and policy issues.
In the past, these activities have included:
Convening MBE groups
to pursue common policy interests
Promoting collaboration
among MBE firms to pursue emerging market opportunities
Acting as an early warning system
for MBEs about challenges emerging in the courts & policy contexts
Providing briefings
to minority business enterprise firms and organizations regarding new legal and policy threats to their prosperity and existence
Providing orientation & training
for minority business owners and their advocates for making their best case to policymakers and courts at all levels
The MBELDEF Impact
We have been fighting for MBEs even when, as has been true for the last 20 years, we have had to do it pro bono.
Inspiring Track Record & Credibility
No other Organization Legally Fights for MBEs
Laser Focused with no ulterior motives
A Powerful Voice for Equity & Inclusion
Who We Are
Top Notch Legal Advocates. MBE Empowerment Experts. Honest Brokers.
In Memoriam
Parren J. Mitchell
Founder
Parren J. Mitchell, the first Black Congressman from Maryland, authored many of the early programs to assist minority businesses – some of which still exist today. He realized that as minority businesses began to grow and succeed, non-minority business interests would be threatened and unwilling to cede their dominance. He knew they would use the legal system to stop minority business growth and he was right.
In 1980, he founded the Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund (MBELDEF) to be a legal watchdog for the minority business community. In 1983 he tapped Anthony W. Robinson to succeed Rotan Lee and become the second President of MBELDEF. Mr. Robinson remains the leader of MBELDEF today, 40 years later.
Anthony W. Robinson
Chairman of the Board
Anthony Robinson, Esq., Past CEO and current Chairman of the Board, holds an undergraduate degree from Morgan State University and a law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law. For the past 42 years, Mr. Robinson has dedicated his career to advancing the cause of minority business owners. He is also a minority business owner himself as the founder and owner of the Robinson Firm.
He is trusted by minority business leaders, advocates, and policymakers at all levels of government. His historic contributions as a brilliant and indefatigable senior legal advisor and as a meticulous strategic organizer are unparalleled in the MBE community. As the person originally hand-picked by Mr. Mitchell to lead the organization, he is well-placed to help transition it to its next phase of activity.
In Memoriam
Parren J. Mitchell
Founder
Parren J. Mitchell, the first Black Congressman from Maryland, authored many of the early programs to assist minority businesses – some of which still exist today. He realized that as minority businesses began to grow and succeed, non-minority business interests would be threatened and unwilling to cede their dominance. He knew they would use the legal system to stop minority business growth and he was right.
In 1980, he founded the Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund (MBELDEF) to be a legal watchdog for the minority business community. In 1983 he tapped Anthony W. Robinson to succeed Rotan Lee and become the second President of MBELDEF. Mr. Robinson remains the leader of MBELDEF today, 40 years later.
Anthony W. Robinson
Chairman of the Board
Anthony Robinson, Esq., Past CEO and current Chairman of the Board, holds an undergraduate degree from Morgan State University and a law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law. For the past 42 years, Mr. Robinson has dedicated his career to advancing the cause of minority business owners. He is also a minority business owner himself as the founder and owner of the Robinson Firm.
He is trusted by minority business leaders, advocates, and policymakers at all levels of government. His historic contributions as a brilliant and indefatigable senior legal advisor and as a meticulous strategic organizer are unparalleled in the MBE community. As the person originally hand-picked by Mr. Mitchell to lead the organization, he is well-placed to help transition it to its next phase of activity.
A Piece of History
Congressman Parren J. Mitchell and Anthony W. Robinson, in the early 1980s, discussing civil rights and minority economic development at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Steven Sims
Board Member
Nicholas Perkins
Board Member
Sarah von der Lippe
Pro-Bono Chief Legal Counsel
Monique Young
Chief Accounting Officer & Development Strategist
Steven Sims
Board Member
Nicholas Perkins
Board Member
Sarah von der Lippe
Pro-Bono Chief Legal Counsel
Monique Young
Chief Accounting Officer & Development Strategist
Steven Sims
Board Member
Nicholas Perkins
Board Member
Sarah von der Lippe
Pro-Bono Chief Legal Counsel
Monique Young
Chief Accounting Officer & Development Strategist
Who Can Help
Public, private, family, and corporate foundations looking to make a long-term investment in eradicating the racial wealth gap, fostering economic growth, achieving racial justice, and promoting diversity.
Public & private corporations interested in promoting the advancement of MBEs
Individuals of goodwill who are willing to take a stand and invest in this endeavor
Large, successful minority-owned businesses that have benefited from minority business enterprise programs and want to give back
Small minority-owned businesses who want to be a part of the solution and contribute to the MBE community
Community and civic leaders who support fairness and equity for minority-owned businesses
Donate Today
By supporting MBELDEF, you directly contribute to creating a more inclusive business environment and driving positive change for underrepresented communities.
Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund (MBELDEF) is a Section 501(c) (3) charitable organization, EIN 52-1238780. All donations are deemed tax-deductible absent any limitations on deductibility applicable to a particular taxpayer. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution.
