The Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (OFBNP) was relaunched virtually last week, after President Joseph Biden signed an executive order re-establishing the White House Office in February 2021.
Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, in a statement released July 12 commemorating the OFBNP relaunch. In his remarks, Graves said cultivating meaningful and productive partnerships between faith- and community-based groups and businesses promotes the DOC's "overarching goal" - "to improve America’s competitiveness so that our workers and companies can succeed in the global economy."
Graves said the DOC is investing tens of billions of dollars in communities throughout the country as a part of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
"And we are doubling down to make sure communities of color, rural communities, and other underserved populations get the support they need to build a better America," Graves said in his remarks.
Graves cited study by the Kellogg Foundation that determined eliminating racial disparities in education, employment, health and incarceration would increase the U.S. economy by $8 trillion by 2050.
"This is personal for me," Graves said in his remarks. "As a descendant of one of America’s first Black patent-holders, I understand the importance of supporting minority entrepreneurs, innovators, and businesses."
Graves said the DOC's goal is "to reach every corner of the United States" and encouraged participation and feedback from organizations and local governments.
"You know your communities’ needs better than anyone," Graves said, "and we’ll do everything we can to support you so that you get the resources you need. We want to work with you to ensure that the federal dollars that are coming to your communities are being spent wisely and effectively."
Graves called the relaunch "just the start" to maintaining ongoing communication and developing "an ecosystem of lasting relationships" between the DOC and OFBNP participating groups. He said the country's future success depends on partnerships between the government and community institutions.
"I hope you find this initiative transformative," Graves said, "and that you’ll consider the Commerce Department – and the OFBNP – as valuable resources and strong allies."
