Equity in Contracting: The Future of DEI in Government Procurement
Continuing Education Credit Eligibility: NC CLE | AICP CM | CPC/ PDH
Across the country, legal challenges, legislative changes, regulatory reviews, and new policy directives are reshaping how governments approach Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs in public procurement. North Carolina is part of this broader shift, with recent legislation significantly changing the state's approach to Historically Underutilized Businesses and participation in public contracting.
For minority-owned businesses, contractors, developers, infrastructure professionals, and public agencies, these changes raise important questions: What has changed? What happens next? And how do you navigate a contracting landscape that is evolving in real time?
At Groundbreakers, we're bringing together four voices with distinct perspectives on the legal, legislative, business, and public-sector dimensions of this moment.
Together, they will examine the legal challenges, policy developments, and practical realities shaping the future of equitable contracting, and what businesses, contractors, and public agencies need to understand as the landscape continues to change.
Ron Busby Sr. (Panelist)
President & CEO, U.S. Black Chambers
Through the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), Busby leads a nationwide network focused on strengthening Black-owned businesses, expanding access to capital and contracting opportunities, and advancing policies that support Black entrepreneurship and economic growth.
A nationally recognized advocate for Black business and economic opportunity, Busby has been particularly active in the areas of government procurement, supplier diversity, entrepreneurship, and access to capital. Under his leadership, USBC has engaged federal agencies, corporations, policymakers, and community organizations to address barriers that have historically limited the ability of Black-owned firms to compete and grow. USBC’s policy work has included advocating for greater transparency and accountability in procurement systems and expanding opportunities for Black firms to participate in federally funded contracting.
Busby has also championed tools designed to connect Black-owned businesses with corporations and government entities seeking diverse suppliers. Through initiatives such as the ByBlack platform, USBC has worked to make Black businesses more visible and accessible within corporate and government supply chains. A respected thought leader, Ron has been featured in various high-profile media outlets including Forbes, Inc., PBS, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and on networks like CBSN, CNN, MSNBC, among others.
A native of Oakland, California, Ron has dedicated himself to the empowerment of the Black community. Ron is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Ron currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area, and has two sons, the youngest of whom unexpectedly passed away in 2021.
Amalea Smirniotopoulos (Panelist)
Senior Policy Counsel and Co-Manager of the Equal Protection Initiative, NAACP Legal Defense Fund
As part of LDF’s Equal Protection Initiative, Smirniotopoulos works on an interdisciplinary team that brings together litigation, policy, communications, organizing, and research to defend and expand programs designed to create equal opportunity for Black communities. Her policy portfolio has included issues involving fair housing, fair lending, employment discrimination, anti-poverty policy, and other areas affecting economic opportunity and racial equity.
Her work is particularly relevant to the evolving legal landscape surrounding programs designed to address historic and systemic barriers to opportunity. Smirniotopoulos has represented LDF in policy advocacy concerning federal programs and regulations affecting equal access, including efforts involving Title VI and initiatives designed to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Her perspective also draws on LDF’s longstanding role in shaping civil rights law. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, LDF has played a foundational role in litigation and policy advocacy addressing racial discrimination and equal protection.
Terry Brown Jr. (Panelist)
Attorney & North Carolina State Representative
Terry M. Brown Jr. is an attorney, business litigator, and member of the North Carolina House of Representatives representing Mecklenburg County. Brown earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and his law degree from Campbell University School of Law.
Following law school, Brown returned to Charlotte to practice law. Brown has also served as Vice-Chair of the City of Charlotte Zoning Board of Adjustment and Chair of the John S. Leary Association of Black Attorneys. Since 2021, Brown has represented Southwest Mecklenburg County in the North Carolina House of Representatives. For the 2021–2022 legislative session, Brown was appointed to the following committees: Appropriations, Appropriations-Agriculture, Natural & Economic Resources, Energy & Public Utilities, Judiciary 3, and Regulatory Reform.
Brown has been named an Axios Charlotte 30 Under 30 Recipient, a Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce 30 under 30 recipient, a Charlotte Business Journal 40 under Forty recipient, and a Who’s Who of Black Charlotte. In 2017 Brown was named the UNC Charlotte Young Alumnus of the Year.
Tammie Hall-Roberts (Moderator)
Chair, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board
Tammie Hall-Roberts is an experienced public-sector leader with more than three decades of experience spanning finance, supplier diversity, community engagement, constituent services, and public policy. She currently serves as an Assistant County Manager for Durham County and as Chair of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board, where she became the first woman to serve as board chair.
Hall-Roberts previously led the Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) within the North Carolina Department of Administration, giving her extensive experience with supplier diversity and the systems designed to expand contracting opportunities for historically underutilized businesses. She also spent eight years as a U.S. Congressional staffer and policy advisor, bringing federal policy and government relations experience to her work in North Carolina.
Her public service has been recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s highest honors for outstanding service. In 2025, she was also recognized with the Triangle Business Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award as part of its Community Champion Awards.
