Henry Childs

Henry Childs, National Director, U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)Henry Childs II
National Director
U.S. Department of Commerce
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

Mr. Henry Childs II was appointed as the National Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) on September 4, 2018. Director Childs is the 17th National Director of the agency. In his role, Director Childs has been laser-focused on getting minority-owned businesses to size and scale. He is doing that by starting an Enterprising Women of Color initiative, a Go-Global initiative, and investing heavily in new industries and minority growth equity funds.

Prior to his appointment at MBDA, Mr. Childs served as the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Senior Advisor and Director of Strategic Initiatives. In this role, he advised EDA on economic development issues and fostered partnerships with other federal agencies, as well as national and international economic development organizations.

Director Childs also served as the Policy Advisor to the White House Office of Public Liaison. He works closely with the White House Office of American Innovation on economic development issues for urban communities and urban revitalization.

Director Childs holds a Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Law and a graduate certificate in International and Comparative Law.