Overview:
In the heart of North Texas, where the entrepreneurial spirit is as vast as the landscape, Black-owned businesses remain the bedrock of our community’s economic power. However, the path to sustained growth is shifting. In a recent, high-stakes conversation, DW Publisher, Jess Washington sat down with Angela Alexander, Executive Director of the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA), to dissect the critical role of certifications and the urgent need for a new level of business accountability.
When I sat down with Angela Alexander, the Executive Director of the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA), I didn’t get a sugar-coated sales pitch. She was refreshingly direct with me: navigating the NCTRCA isn’t necessarily easy, and it isn’t meant to be. It requires a level of grit and administrative discipline that demands a sense of business acumen. But Angela was equally transparent about the “why”—it is undeniably worth it. Despite the shifting winds of our current administration and the regulatory hurdles being thrown our way, the NCTRCA is actively carving out new pathways for our businesses to grow. We talked about the reality that while the gate may seem narrow, the scale of the opportunities on the other side is exactly what our community needs to build lasting wealth.
The Power of the Pivot: Why Black Business Ownership Matters
For the DW, the conversation about small business is inherently a conversation about Black equity. Nationally, Black entrepreneurs represent approximately 14.5% of all business owners, contributing over $207 billion to the economy annually. In the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where over 99% of firms are small businesses, the stakes are even higher.
Yet, despite this impact, Black-owned firms are still denied credit at nearly twice the rate of their white counterparts (41% vs. 18%). This is where the NCTRCA steps in—not just as a gatekeeper, but as a bridge to the trillions of dollars available in government and corporate contracts.
A Seismic Shift: The End of “Presumed” Disadvantage
The most critical takeaway from Alexander’s insights is the recent, sweeping change in federal and state regulations. As of October 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued an Interim Final Rule that fundamentally altered the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and ACDBE programs.
Historically, Black business owners were “presumed” to be socially and economically disadvantaged. That era has ended.
“The removal of race and sex-based presumptions means businesses must now provide personal narratives,” Alexander explained. “Eligibility is now individualized and evidence-based.”
For our community, this means real accountability. To remain certified, business owners must now:
- Draft Personal Narratives: Proving social and economic disadvantage through specific, documented instances of systemic barriers or denied opportunities.
- Demonstrate Economic Impact: Showing how these impediments caused tangible economic harm.
- Prepare for Re-evaluation: All currently certified DBE and ACDBE firms are facing mandatory re-evaluations to ensure they meet these stringent new standards.
Scalability Through Strategic Certification
While the regulatory hurdles have grown, the rewards for those who adapt are immense. Alexander emphasizes that a single certification is rarely enough for a firm looking to scale.
| Certification Type | Focus Area | Key Benefit |
| MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) | State & Local | Access to municipal and private sector diversity spend. |
| WBE (Women Business Enterprise) | State & Local | Targeted opportunities for women-led firms. |
| DBE (Disadvantaged Business) | Federal/Transportation | Taps into the $1.3 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. |
| ACDBE (Airport Concession) | Airport Specific | Secure space in major hubs like DFW International. |
“If you know the cities or municipalities you want to work with, multiple certifications are in order,” Alexander advised. This isn’t just about labels; it’s about market positioning.
The Roadmap to Accountability and Growth
Scaling a business in 2026 requires more than a great product; it requires “back-office” excellence. Alexander and Washington highlighted that accountability is the precursor to scalability.
- Audit Your Own Books: Before the government does. Ensure your tax returns, bank signature cards, and equipment leases are organized and reflect 51% minority ownership and control.
- Build Relationships, Not Just Bids: Participate in monthly procurement chats. Corporations buy from people they trust.
- Stay Informed: With 97% of firms previously qualifying under HUB guidelines now facing eligibility shifts, ignorance is the greatest risk to your revenue.
The Bottom Line: The “mountains” of bureaucracy aren’t going anywhere, but as Angela Alexander notes, “You just have to learn how to climb differently.” For the Black business community in North Texas, climbing differently means being more prepared, more documented, and more resilient than ever before.
