by Ariama C. Long, October 17, 2024

Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Americans are considered white in terms of racial classification under the U.S. Census, an identity that many haven’t necessarily agreed with for decades. Because of New York’s huge population of MENA immigrants and descendants, more advocates and business owners are pushing to be included in parity programs usually aimed at bolstering Black and Hispanic communities.

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Councilmember Shahana Hanif recently introduced Intro 1076, a bill that would expand the M/WBE program eligibility for MENA business owners and require the city to create a M/WBE disparity study to research whether MENA owned businesses are underrepresented in city government contracts.

“It wouldn’t be them competing against the Latin or Black community. They would have their own bracketing of funding, depending on how many businesses there are,” said Hanif at the conference.

“Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities have long been excluded from the support systems designed to uplift minority and women-owned businesses in New York City,” said Councilmember Yusef Salaam in a statement. “This bill is a necessary step toward rectifying this oversight and ensuring that members of the MENA community have the appropriate access to our city’s services. I stand proudly with Council Member Hanif and my colleagues in supporting this critical legislation to help MENA business owners thrive and contribute even more to our great city.”

MENA advocates were ecstatic that the city and state seem to be catching up to the MENA movement in terms of legislation.

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[Read more: CM Hanif, Demands M/WBE Program Include Middle Eastern & North African Businesses]