Is Harris-Stowe Against Economic Inclusion?

Fellow Contractors,

We are writing to you today with a message of profound disappointment and a fierce call to action.

The Advancing American Business & Contractors Association (AABCA) has received official correspondence from Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) confirming the M/WBE goal for the $40 MILLION STEM BUILDING PROJECT. This came after AABCA sent a letter to the university's president demanding to know why there had been no (ZERO) allocations for minority, and specifically, African American contractors, suppliers and professionals. After pushback from our organization, Harris-Stowe has indicated it will ensure a mere 10% of its contracts on this project will go to M/WBEs.

Today, while picketing at the campus a white teacher approached us, listened to our demands for economic inclusion and said, “We’ll you’re being educated; ain’t that enough?” We were shocked at this blazon condemnation of our pain. ABBCA now asks the Black community is that enough for you all?

The Truth is a Disgrace

As a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the heart of St. Louis, HSSU had an ethical imperative to lead on equity. Instead, they have settled for a paltry and unacceptable goal of 10% M/WBE participation.

This is a contradiction and a slap in the face to the Black construction community:

• Paltry: The City of St. Louis mandates higher standards (21% MBE, 11% WBE). HSSU is choosing the minimum required by state statute, not the maximum ethical standard.

• Divided: This 10% is a joint goal shared between Minority-Owned (MBE) and Women-Owned (WBE) businesses, meaning the actual commitment to African American construction firms will be even smaller—potentially minuscule—on this massive state-funded project.

• Contradiction: An HBCU should be the foremost champion of Black economic empowerment, not a low-bar compliant.

  
  

Our Response: WE DEMAND EQUITY & JUSTICE!

AABCA refuses to allow this historic project to become a historic failure of equity. The time for polite letters is over; the time for visibility is now.

AABCA has officially placed Harris-Stowe State University on its WATCHLIST.

We are immediately launching a campaign of informational picketing  at the campus to hold the university, its leadership, and its biased consultants publicly accountable. We must send an unmistakable message that 10% is NOT enough for St. Louis.

Your Call to Action: Join the Movement

We urge every qualified St. Louis minority contractor to do two things:

1. Do Not Retreat: Use the opportunity presented by the bidding process to submit a competitive proposal. We must document the capacity and readiness of our firms to prove that the failure to meet higher goals is a failure of commitment, not capacity. Hold them accountable with your bid.

2. Join the Fight: We need every voice and every firm on the ground.

3. Call the Harris-Stowe’s President: Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith; Email: CollinsL@hssu.edu or president@hssu.edu; Phone: (314) 340-3380

   
   

We will not stand by as our institutions betray our community. The fight for fair market share is on. For more information contact AABCA\

In Solidarity,

Makal Ali President & Co-Founder