Economic Development
President Richard Nixon congratulated NDC on initiating and chairing the President's $100 Million Minority Bank Deposit Program calling it, "The largest transfer of economic resources into minority-owned economic institutions in the history of the United States." 1971
"With congratulations on surpassing the Neighborhood Business Revitalization goal of $1 billion." President Jimmy Carter. 1980
President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office, with Governor Kit Bond, HUD's Steve Bolinger and SBA's Jim Sanders, announcing the NDC proposed $2 Billion Small Business Revitalization Program. 1982
Visit the National Development Council at: www.nationaldevelopmentcouncil.org
When I graduated from college, I knew that I wanted to work in public service, but had no idea of what to do, or for whom.
"Congratulations to NDC for increasing the insurance-in-force held by minority-owned insurance companies from $8.5 billion to $15.3 billion." President Gerald Ford. 1976
I was a liberal arts major, with no understandable skills. I loved the promises of America and its vision of equal opportunity for all. This led me to economic development. In 1965, I was thrilled when Senator Kennedy called and asked if I would work with him in Bedford-Stuyvesant's low income revitalization.
After the Senator's assassination, I started the National Development Council in my apartment. I wasn't smart enough to know you needed money.
Our first project was creating business ownership for minorities. In 1969, a friend, Al Stern, suggested that I talk with the new president, Richard Nixon, who had campaigned on Black Capitalism. I replied, "I don't think the president is waiting to hear from me." "Then keep doing precious little," replied Stern. So I went to Washington and started working with the Nixon White House.
After 18 months, we turned our NDC program into a presidential initiative, and the White House appointed me as Chairman. This began our presidential initiatives. I joke about it, "Early on, I learned that more people had heard of the President of the United States than the National Development Council. With joint leadership from the White House, you multiply your impact."
The History of the National Development Council
Read More…An Excerpt: The First Half - 1969 to 1985
Written By Mary Jo Ruccio
President, Seeking Common Ground
Former NDC National Director
January 2006