Airport Experience® News - ACDBE Issue 2025

In the 1970s, Bill Swift worked for then Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson when Jackson promised to scuttle a terminal project at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) unless contractors doled out a significant portion of the work to minority-owned companies. Through to the 1980s, Swift watched as both a government employee and as owner of his own companies – as Swift approaches 80, Business Traveler Services still has several contracts at ATL – as Congress established the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in 1983 and then, the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program in 1987. And he’s watched as various court challenges and other discussions have caused those programs to evolve – and as companies owned by minorities and women earned the opportunity to participate in more projects. So, it’s hard for him to watch as a conservative U.S. Supreme Court, the re-established Trump presidency and several empowered opponents of affirmative action programs work to end the programs he’s dedicated much of his career to promoting. “This is probably the most aggressive attack without foundation I’ve ever heard of in my 80 years of being on this planet,” he says, adding that the importance of the programs is more than anecdotal – it has been validated by disparity studies conducted in several cities around the U.S. “That documentation affirmed that over many years in many cities that there was an exclusion, intentionally or unintentionally, of women and minorities. It’s not just wishful thinking – we have evidence.” Keeping People Involved Not only have minority- and women owned companies benefited from being able to compete for projects at airports, they’ve done a great job of expanding competition and giving the traveling public a broader range of variety, Swift says. “Why toss that all out because of someone with a limited understanding of how well the program has worked when it is applied properly?” he adds.

Swift says it’s important for program supporters to get involved, not just by educating lawmakers, but folks who are new to the program, as well. Many long-time program advocates have felt frustration in recent years because younger generations entering the airport industry haven’t had the same spirit or fire for maintaining the DBE and ACDBE programs – it’s time to fight back. “Double down on your local politicians, state politicians and leaders to help them stay alert and aggressive in their efforts to maintain the programs because these programs have had an economic impact wherever they exist,” he says. “The other side is just continuing to educate the newbies and affirm with those who’ve been around.” Kimberly Griffin, owner of DBE Consulting LLC , agrees. She’s disappointed to see several decades of progress rolled back and the leveling of the playing field, again, going in the wrong direction. Griffin consults with ACDBEs on certification issues and she’s a joint venture partner in seven food and beverage outlets at ATL. She’s also involved with the Airport Minority Advisory Council. Her family was involved in the push for civil rights and she’s a member of the same church where Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock preaches. Watching them and the likes of civic, community and political leaders like Andrew Young, she says it feels like a responsibility – one she feels thoroughly drawn to – to be involved on Capitol Hill and in writing letters to Congress. “I live in Atlanta where I walk among giants every day,” she says. “There are always these amazing people who fought, not to take over, but just for equality and, to me, where we are, it’s just sad.” She thinks it’s important that all stakeholders – businesses, partners and advocates – get unified to fight in defense of the program. “Given the current legal and political climate, it’s more important than ever,” she says. “AMAC has been at the forefront of this advocacy, coordinating direct engagement with lawmakers. … These initiatives help educate Congress on

Above: Kimberly Griffin, owner of DBE Consulting, is ready to fight like those who fought for civil rights in the past.

the real-world economic impact of the ACDBE program – from entrepreneurship and job creation to supplier diversity and generational wealth-building.” What Can You Do? Further, she emphasizes: The program is still alive. Programs are still in place. “So are the opportunities,” she adds, suggesting that companies still get certified. “Certification gets you in the room. Certification isn’t just paperwork. It’s a signal to airports and primes that you’re qualified. It opens doors to opportunities that often are not available to non-certified firms. And opportunities move fast. Finally, she says, get involved. “Your voice strengthens the program,” she says. “Every certified business adds weight to the program’s value and legitimacy. By joining the ACDBE/DBE ecosystem, you help protect it. The more diverse businesses that participate the stronger our collective voice becomes, especially in conversations with lawmakers and regulators.” Getting certified also gives you a voice at the table as the program inevitably evolves. “What’s happening now is a pivotal moment,” Griffin says. “Federal programs evolve, but equity in procurement is not going away. Certification positions you not just for today’s contracts but for tomorrow’s structure.”

23

AX NEWS JUNE 2025