Federal Judge Blocks Minority-Owned Business Funding

A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked the Fearless Fund's Strivers Grant Contest, which supports businesses owned by Black women, amid a lawsuit claiming it violates the Civil Rights Act. The court's 2-1 decision highlighted that the program is likely 'racially exclusionary', while dissenting opinions argue it undermines protections against economic exclusion for Black individuals. Simultaneously, a judge in Alabama ruled against a law criminalizing ballot assistance for disabled voters, citing violations of the Voting Rights Act. In a related development, a judge in Kentucky deemed the U.S. Department of Transportation's funding program for minority-owned businesses unconstitutional, asserting it violates equal protection principles. This ruling aligns with recent judicial trends that challenge affirmative action and similar programs aimed at addressing historical discrimination. These decisions reflect a growing legal scrutiny over diversity initiatives and their compliance with constitutional standards.