Two banks have joined an advisory council established by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh as part of a push to diversify the businesses who supply the city of Boston’s many departments with goods and services.
The city’s first-ever Supplier Diversity Advisory Council will brings expertise in supplier diversity best practices, technical assistance, community economic development and equity programs to work alongside Walsh administration staff to make policy and programming recommendations, the city says.
Eastern Bank Business Equity Initiative head Glynn Lloyd and OneUnited Bank President and COO Teri Williams are among the 26 companies, nonprofits, universities and other institutions on the council. Janey Construction’s Greg Janey, the Massachusetts Coalition of Community Development Corporations’ Joe Kriesberg, the Massachusetts Minority Contractor Association’s Beverley Johnson and Maven Construction’s JC Burton are also members.
Along with establishing the council, Walsh ordered an update to the city’s public directory of minority-, woman- and veteran-owned small businesses, which city departments use when soliciting bids during the procurement process. Walsh also ordered the creation of a training program for city employees and departments who manage procurement as part of their roles and a new requirement for each department to create a procurement plan that prioritizes equitable business practices.
“As mayor, my goal is to make sure that Boston is a city of opportunity for everyone. We need to harness our city’s incredible economic growth so that it lifts everyone up,” said Mayor Walsh. “To have a truly strong city, Boston’s success must be shared by all. The city’s own spending power is a key lever for increasing equity in business opportunities, and this executive order is the next step in ensuring we match our business practices with our values and goals.”
In order to make procurement opportunities more accessible to a wider audience, the city’s Department of Innovation and Technology and the Procurement Department will also update the city’s procurement website so that businesses are able to view and filter all city contracts and opportunities.
“This executive order establishes a set of sound business practices in the city of Boston’s procurement process that will increase transparency, accessibility, and efficiency across all departments and agencies,” said city Chief of Economic Development John F. Barros. “As we create equitable procurement plans in the beginning of the budgeting process, while simultaneously modernizing our certified business registry, the City will be in a position to strategically market opportunities to an increased pool of businesses and do business with a diverse ecosystem of new businesses.”
