A Comprehensive Republican Led Policy Proposal for Black Prosperity in the United States

Introduction

Throughout American history, Black Americans have faced barriers limiting their access to economic prosperity, social mobility, and justice. In response to persistent disparities and inspired by proposals such as the Platinum Plan, the Onyx Agenda lays out a comprehensive, forward-looking blueprint for the empowerment, advancement, and well-being of Black communities. The Onyx Agenda was created on the grassroots level with input from actual members of lower-income urban black communities.

This agenda is designed with an unflinching commitment to ensuring that all legal American citizens thrive in this Administration’s effort to Make America Great Again.  Unlike previous administrations the Trump Administration has shown a willingness to not just promise opportunities for the American dream for all Americans it has taken historic steps to provide them.  This agenda is a roadmap to assist the Trump Administration as well as future administrations in creating opportunities for Black excellence.

Economic Empowerment

A thriving Black America requires robust support for entrepreneurship, homeownership, and workforce development. The Onyx America Agenda proposes the following initiatives:

Support for Black-Owned Businesses

·         Capital Access: Establish a $250 billion fund to provide grants, low-interest loans, and equity investments to Black entrepreneurs, with a focus on high-growth industries and Main Street businesses alike.

·         Federal Contracting: Mandate that at least 15% of federal contracts are awarded to Black-owned businesses, with transparent reporting mechanisms and penalties for noncompliance.

·         Business Incubators: Launch a network of business incubators in historically Black communities, offering technical assistance, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

·         Tax Incentives: Provide substantial tax credits to corporations that invest in Black-owned startups.

Homeownership and Wealth-Building

·         Down Payment Assistance: Expand down payment and closing cost assistance grants for first-time Black homebuyers.

·         Financial Literacy: Implement mandatory K-12 curricula on financial literacy, with a focus on investing, credit, and entrepreneurship in schools serving Black students.

·         Fair Lending: Strengthen enforcement of fair lending laws to combat discrimination in mortgage approvals and insurance.

·         Community Land Trusts: Support the creation and expansion of community land trusts to prevent displacement and foster generational wealth.

Education Excellence

Quality education is a cornerstone of generational advancement. The Onyx America Agenda invests in:

·         Early Childhood Education: Universal access to pre-K for Black children, prioritizing high-quality, culturally responsive programs.

·         HBCU Support: Historic and ongoing investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including infrastructure upgrades, student scholarships, and research grants.

·         STEM Initiatives: Federal scholarships and internship programs to increase the number of Black students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

·         Trade School Expansion: Expand trade school/ work force readiness program offerings as an alternative to traditional secondary education.

·         School Funding Reform: Making school choice a federal mandate will allow children in underserved communities the opportunity to choose a school outside of their district if the public education in the district is repeatedly subpar and refuses to provide a curriculum that provides real world knowledge to ensure a path to gainful employment and/or upward mobility.

Health & Wellness

The Onyx America Agenda acknowledges the impact of health disparities and environmental injustices:

·         Mental Health Access: Invest in culturally competent mental health services. This can be achieved through integration of care into primary health services utilizing technologies such as telehealth and eliminating stigma through community outreach and awareness campaigns.

·         Maternal Health: Fund research and interventions to reduce Black maternal and infant mortality rates, including support for Black midwives and doulas.

·         Food Security: Address food deserts by incentivizing grocery stores and urban farms in underserved communities.

·         Expansion of the nuclear family: Dozens of studies over the decades have shown that the absence of a father figure can lead to emotional distress, feelings of abandonment by children, low self-esteem, and depression in African American women. By promoting the nuclear family (consisting of a traditionally married couple and their dependent children) in a culturally relevant manner we can produce a positive outcome that will benefit America at large.

Criminal Justice Reform & Public Safety

Safety and justice are the foundation of community trust and opportunity:

·         Policing Reform: Mandate national police standards such as bodycams, including independent non partial government body to investigate of use-of-force incidents that cannot be objectively cleared, while simultaneously promoting the doctrine of qualified immunity.

·         Ending Mass Incarceration: Eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenses and expand reentry programs, voting rights restoration, and expungement opportunities for those who have shown the ability to successfully reenter society without continued recidivism.

·         Community Policing: Fund community policing models that build trust and reduce reliance on armed response for nonviolent incidents.

·         Alternative Justice:  Non violent offenders ages 18 – 30 would have the opportunity to enlist in the US Military in lieu of incarceration for a minimum of 3 years if they meet conditions.

Juvenile Justice: Divert youth from incarceration to restorative justice programs and community-based alternatives.  (see attachment below)

·         Victims’ Support: Expand services for victims of violent crime, including trauma counseling and housing assistance.

Cultural & Civic Engagement

Uplifting the voices and culture of Black Americans is at the core of the Onyx America Agenda:

·         Arts and Culture: Increase grants to Black artists, filmmakers, and writers, and establish national museums and cultural centers dedicated to Black history.

·         Media Ownership: Incentivize media ownership and content creation by Black Americans to ensure authentic representation.

·         Civic Education: Promote public education on Black history and civic engagement across all grade levels.

·         Public Service: Establish fellowships for Black youth to serve in government, nonprofit, and international organizations.

Technology & Innovation

Positioning Black communities at the forefront of the future economy:

·         Tech Workforce Development: Fund bootcamps and apprenticeships for Black workers in IT, cybersecurity, and AI.

·         Small Business Digitalization: Provide grants to help Black-owned small businesses adapt to e-commerce and digital operations.

·         STEM Pipeline: Partner with HBCUs, community colleges, and nonprofits to create a robust STEM pipeline from K-12 to career.

Accountability & Implementation

To measure progress and ensure results:

·         White House Council on Black Advancement: Establish a cabinet-level office responsible for coordinating efforts, tracking data, and publishing annual progress reports.

·         Community Engagement: Host regular town halls and advisory councils with Black leaders, youth, and grassroots organizations.

Conclusion

The Onyx America Agenda is a bold commitment to build opportunity, advance equity, and secure justice for Black Americans. By investing in education, economic development, health, and civic life, and by ensuring accountability and cultural pride, this agenda envisions an America where every Black individual and community can thrive—unhindered by the legacies of the past and emboldened by the promise of the future.