Washington, D.C. — Small-business owners are facing uncertainty from the White House’s erratic leadership, rising costs from the Trump administration’s tariffs, and a costly tax deduction that disproportionately benefits wealthy business owners. Additionally, an estimated 6 million businesses owned by Baby Boomers are expected to need to transition ownership by 2035 as their owners retire.
Join the Center for American Progress for a virtual event with small business and congressional leaders to discuss the impact of the Trump administration’s policies on entrepreneurs and the path forward for expanding opportunity in our communities. The event will feature a keynote address from Rep. Don Beyer (VA), the senior House Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee, as well as a panel of small-business owners and experts discussing what policies are needed to help entrepreneurs start, sustain, grow, and successfully transition their businesses to the next generation.
WHO:
Keynote Remarks:
Rep. Don Beyer, Senior House Democrat, Joint Economic Committee
Panelists:
Terri-Nichell Bradley, Founder and CEO, Brown Toy Box
Kathleen DeLaney Thomas, Aubrey L. Brooks Distinguished Professor of Law, University of North Carolina School of Law
Gina Schaefer, Founder and former CEO, The Cool Hardware Company
Anne Zimmerman, CPA, Founder & Owner, Zimmerman & Co CPAs Inc. & Co Chair of Small Business For America’s Future
Moderator:
Michael Negron, Senior Fellow, Economic Opportunity, Center for American Progress
WHEN:
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET
WHERE:
Virtual event (online only)
RSVP:
Please RSVP at the following link.
For more information or to speak to an expert, please contact Christian Unkenholz at [email protected].