Michigan Families for Fair Care Joins Michigan Small Business Owners For Economic Roundtable
Ahead of President Trump’s proposal to enact more of these tariff policies this week, including on automobiles, Michigan Families for Fair Care gathered with local business owners for an urgent and necessary discussion about the trials Michigan’s economy is currently facing.
PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND HERE
Jocelyn Howard of Perpetual Learning LLC, President Rhonda Powell from the Black Business Association of Macomb, Mary Jane Campbell from the School of Hard Knocks, and Macomb County Commissioner Michael Howard II participated in an engaging conversation moderated by Michigan Families for Fair Care.
Following the Trump administration’s decision to inflict price hikes on its own American citizens, the impact has been felt broadly. Consumer confidence is tanking, tourism from our nearest ally is down, and the administration does not plan to let up any time soon. And, to add insult to injury, federal jobs data shows that Michigan had the largest increase in unemployment rate over the past year, and currently has one of the worst unemployment percentages in the entire country.
Michigan’s small business owners can’t afford these policies, unlike those closest to the president, and Congressmen Tom Barrett and John James refuse to listen to their constituents.
Meanwhile, educators are concerned about the destruction of the Department of Education, which makes up 15% of Michigan’s special education budget, and can impact over 200,000 Michigan students.
Jocelyn Howard, Warren Small Business Owner
“There is too much uncertainty, and the prices of goods just keep getting higher and higher. Small businesses, and Black-owned businesses, are the bedrock of our community. Unfortunately, it is clear that we are considered collateral damage by the billionaires hijacking our federal government.”
Rhonda Powell, President, Black Business Association of Macomb
“Small businesses are being squeezed like never before, and Black-owned businesses are feeling it the hardest. Many of us already operate with thinner margins and face greater challenges accessing capital, so every price increase hits that much deeper. We need real support—especially from our representatives in Washington—to make sure Black businesses don’t just survive but thrive."
Michigan Families for Fair Care Executive Director, Steve Lawson
“Our business owners are clearly concerned because they, along with the rest of Michigan, cannot properly plan for the chaotic policies coming out of the White House. There is also no leadership coming from our members of Congress, so we are left to fend for ourselves. Representatives John James and Tom Barrett are more concerned about scavenging for funds to afford a tax cut for billionaires than hear about the impacts of these reckless economic policies. We urge Congressmen John James and Tom Barrett to show up for their constituents, or at the very least, add them to the group chat.”
