WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island’s Black business community gathered at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick Friday morning to discuss closing the state’s prominent racial wealth gap.

The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) said 62% of the state’s Black families do not own their homes.

“Black community matters,” RIBBA President and CEO Lisa Ranglin said. “We’re not second-class citizens and we deserve robust investment, and guess what? We vote.”

The event featured guest speakers from the Black business community, including U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo, who shared that he is co-sponsoring legislation to expand federal contracting opportunities for Black- and minority-owned businesses.

“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” Amo said. “As the great hip hop philosopher Jay-Z said, ‘Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.’”

“To build on this momentum, we must fully understand how federal contract dollars benefit minority-owned businesses,” he continued. “Increasing federal contracting opportunities for Black-owned businesses will help Black business owners grow their business, hire more people, generate more wealth.”

RIBBA also recognized Rep. Carol McEntee and Sen. Sandra Cano for their contributions to local economic growth.