A minority business enterprise is a business organization that meets guidelines established under federal and states laws, which vary by state, to qualify to participate in various public programs or contracts. For example, one state defines a minority business enterprise as "an individual who is a United States citizen and owns and controls a business, or a partnership, corporation, or joint venture of any kind that is owned and controlled by United States citizens, which citizen or citizens are residents of this state and are members of one of the following economically disadvantaged groups: Blacks, American Indians, Hispanics, and Orientals."
