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Mayor Walsh to increase opportunities for women and minorities; releases economic inclusion and equity agenda

Feb 26, 2016


Surrounded by local business owners, elected officials, and other leaders, Mayor Martin J. Walsh signs Executive Order to expand opportunities for women and minority owned businesses at City Hall ceremony.

On Wednesday, February 24, Mayor Martin J. Walsh signed an executive order “to ensure that minority and women entrepreneurs are afforded fair and equitable opportunities when competing for City contracts,” according to a City of Boston press release.

The Mayor noted that, "Ensuring equal access across all modes of local government is more than a moral imperative - it is just the right thing to do. We must address economic inequities and build for a stronger and healthier Boston - a City that provides the same ladder of opportunity for all."

With an understanding of the racial and economic disparities in Boston, the Executive Order will:

  • Set spending goals for minorities and women owned businesses competing for contracts in construction, architecture, engineering, and professional services
  • Provide training and assistance to minority and women owned enterprises to encourage successful bidding and performance on City contracts
In addition, this order is the first in a series of policies that will target procurement reform, and moreover, this order will pave the way for a new disparity study – slated to launch by the end of the year – in order to analyze racial, ethnic, and gender biases in City procurement.

In tandem with the signing of this Executive Order, the Mayor also released an Economic Inclusion and Equity Agenda. This agenda provides context for understanding the work being done across City departments by outlining the following four themes:

  • Income and Employment
  • Wealth Creation
  • Business Development
  • Economic Mobility
Each of the aforementioned themes are supported by President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative. The accompanying “My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge” encouraged communities to improve life outcomes for Black and Latino boys, young men, and all youth and young adults by creating opportunities to help these groups overcome barriers to success. Under the leadership of Mayor Walsh, the City of Boston was one of the first cities to take on this challenge.

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