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TMZ.com
Gladys Knight‘s husband says President Biden straight up told them he didn’t have 15 minutes to chat with them about what they see as a huge problem … Black businesses being passed up for government contracts.
The singer and her husband, William McDowell, joined us on “TMZ Live” Monday and explained their experience trying to nail down a meeting with Biden … which has so far proven impossible, much to their chagrin.
Remember … Gladys has been trying to meet with Biden since 2021 — she wants to get a government contract so her company can provide PPE to the public — and her husband says he finally cornered Biden in the White House and was told the meeting wasn’t going to happen.
Biden presented Gladys with the National Medal of Arts last week, but her husband says when he brought up the meeting to POTUS he was immediately shut down.
Gladys and William are adamant they’re not looking for a government payday or handout here … they say Biden’s refusal to meet with them is an example of a much larger problem … Black businesses continually coming in last for federal contracts, which they feel is a civil rights issue.
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Gladys Knight Demands Meeting With Biden Over PPE Company, Why BTS and Not Me?
It’s a problem Gladys says is not unique to Biden, though … she says the feds have always been unfair to Black business owners, dating back to when JFK was in office … at least in her experience.
The issue here though … Gladys and William say the Biden Administration is talking about wanting to create a level playing field, but actions aren’t backing up words.
TMZ.com
Gladys and her husband tell us they went through all channels to try and get to Biden … working their Democratic contacts in D.C. and even going to Biden’s right-hand man … but it’s all been for nothing, and they can’t help but wonder if Biden simply doesn’t care.