Latestsale.com continues its bumper annual coverage recap of its 2025 Social Impact Media Partnership with the 35 year old AEO (Association for Enterprise Opportunity). During CBC Week, attendees to the second Annual AEO Talks: CBC Small Business Power Luncheon 2025 that took place at The Hamilton Live in Washington, D.C., on September 25, 2025 were graced with the presence of Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, of New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District who highlighted the vital role of small businesses as drivers of innovation, job creation, and community wealth.
Congresswoman LaMonica McIver Reflects on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Federal Contracting Opportunities
Congresswoman LaMonica McIver’s keynote touched on challenges enterprises face due to rising costs and trade tariffs, noting that many small businesses operate with limited margins and restricted access to capital. McIver also explored the growing impact of artificial intelligence, questioning whether this technology will replace jobs or rather, serve as an equalizing tool that helps entrepreneurs manage inventory, improve customer engagement, and scale marketing efforts.
Congresswoman McIver further emphasized the importance of digital readiness, technology adoption, and access to federal contracting opportunities, noting the significance of the federal government’s approximate $750 billion annual contracting spend and its impact on small businesses. Throughout the discussion, McIver stressed that business ownership should become the norm, so that entrepreneurs not only survive but build, hire, and create generational wealth within their communities.
Joint Center President Dedrick Asante-Muhammad expresses concerns over the do more with less mantra Black business leaders face
Joint Center President and CEO, Dedrick Asante-Muhammad reflected on the persistence of the racial wealth divide in corporate America, noting that wealth inequality has remained a significant challenge despite political progress and increased representation. He emphasized the connection between politics, trade policy, tariffs, and economic outcomes, arguing that black business communities are often asked to do more with fewer resources.
Moderator Eric Morrissette, Fellow of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies guided the conversation on economic mobility and wealth-building, while Former Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamila Thompson, Covington & Burling LLP Partner Arun Venkataraman, and Ryan Wilson CEO and Co-founder of The Gathering Spot highlighted the importance of equitable trade, strong business networks, community collaboration, and international market access to expand long-term economic opportunity.
“Planning and Predictability are Essential for Growth”: Arun Venkataraman Partner at Covington & Burling LLP
Arun Venkataraman Partner at Covington & Burling LLP earmarked the challenges created by today’s global trade environment, noting that tariffs increase the cost of doing business, create uncertainty, and place additional pressure on small enterprises that rely on imports. He stressed that planning and predictability are essential for growth. Venkataraman encouraged entrepreneurs to strengthen community networks, work together to navigate hurdles, and hold policymakers accountable for not removing barriers hampering small business opportunities.
Eric Morrissette Fellow of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies highlighted the challenges facing minority-owned businesses, including limited access to capital, higher costs, and barriers to contracts and international markets, whilst Jamila Thompson, former Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), described trade policy as a tool for advancing equitable economic opportunity. Thompson referenced the March 2021 Trade Policy Agenda which emphasized engagement with minority-owned businesses and HBCUs, while stressing the importance of data-driven policymaking and export support.
Additional panelists to the second Annual AEO Talks: CBC Small Business Power Luncheon 2025 alongside Ryan Wilson CEO and Co-founder of The Gathering Spot who referred to the importance of resilience, collaboration, and strong business relationships as essential tools for navigating uncertainty and supporting long-term growth, included Jannae Gammage, Founder & CEO of Cyphr, Amber Banks, President of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs and Ashley Scott, Senior Director of Global Policy at Circle Internet Financial.