Advancing Racial Equity (E.O. 14091)

Summary

Directs federal agencies to continue finding and removing barriers that prevent underserved communities from getting fair treatment and opportunities.

What problem does this solve?

Many groups in America, especially people of color and those in poverty, still face big challenges and unfair treatment because of past and present discrimination. This order makes federal agencies create special teams and action plans to ensure their programs are fair and help everyone, especially those who have been left behind.

What does this order do?

Establishes Agency Equity Teams

Requires major federal agencies to create and maintain an 'Agency Equity Team' led by a senior official to coordinate and implement equity initiatives.

Creates White House Steering Committee on Equity

Forms a new committee within the White House to coordinate equity-related efforts across the entire federal government and hold agencies accountable.

Requires annual Equity Action Plans

Mandates that agencies submit a public Equity Action Plan each year, detailing their strategies to remove barriers and ensure fair access to their programs.

Increases contracting goal for small disadvantaged businesses

Sets a new government-wide goal to award 15 percent of all federal contracting money to small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people by 2025.

Revokes previous executive orders

Cancels Executive Order 13946 on Opportunity Zones and Executive Order 13853, which created the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.

Strengthens agency civil rights offices

Directs agencies to give their civil rights offices more authority and resources to prevent and address discrimination, including from automated systems.

Promotes community engagement

Requires agencies to proactively engage with underserved communities when developing policies and programs to ensure their perspectives are included.

Focuses on rural and urban development

Instructs agencies to help rural communities access federal resources and to support fair development practices in cities to prevent displacement.

Who does this affect?

Underserved communities (including racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, LGBTQI+ individuals, and people with disabilities)
Federal government agencies
Small disadvantaged business owners

What is the real world impact?

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Builds on previous equity initiatives

Continues and strengthens the work started by Executive Order 13985, making equity a permanent part of how the federal government operates rather than a one-time project.

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Addresses systemic barriers in government

Aims to change the internal processes of federal agencies to ensure they actively work to provide fair outcomes for all Americans, not just continue policies that may have unintentionally created inequality.

When does this start?

This order sets several deadlines for federal agencies to establish new teams and submit plans.

Agency Equity Teams established

Within 30 days of the order (by March 18, 2023), specified federal agencies must ensure they have an Agency Equity Team in place.

First Equity Action Plans due

In September 2023, agencies must submit their first annual Equity Action Plan to the White House Steering Committee on Equity.

New procurement goal deadline

The goal of awarding 15 percent of federal procurement dollars to small disadvantaged businesses is set for Fiscal Year 2025.