A couple of thoughts, actually.
First, I don't know anyone who seriously thinks the playing field is now or ever was level. That accusation is an ad hominem soundbyte of no value added to any discussion.
Second, just because we agree on the problem (and to review, we do), doesn't mean that I have to co-sign the first solution you came up with. There are several problems with the solutions you favor. De jure racial discrimination is against the plain meaning of the Constitution. I understand that great effort has been undertaken to read away the "equal" part of the equal protection clause, but treating two people differently solely on the basis of race should always be considered a no-fly zone for our government. This is that clause:
"No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
I do not see an exception for states to deviate from that clause when enough well-intended people think that private business are committing bad acts that the sovereign is compelled to counterbalance with bad acts in the other direction. Any solution we propose should probably be legal, within the letter and the spirit of the rule.
I also will tell you that while much-maligned racism is to blame for many of our country's ills, the 15 year old high school drop out mother isn't getting passed over for investment banking jobs because of racism. Admitting her to college on a preference in the hopes that it will all turn out okay ain't going to fix what's wrong with her life. The changes needed to bring the playing field closer to balance are more structural and fundamental than simple ascribing everything to other people's prejudice. If you want to build sustainable growth for challenged groups, fix the most acute problems first: a complete breakdown of the family structure, failing public schools and an awful lot of self-destructive choices are a lot easier to address than other people's feelings.