Supplier Diversity
We're committed to fostering an inclusive economy in Boston. We connect minority- and woman-owned businesses to City of Boston contracting opportunities.
The Supplier Diversity program was established in 2021 following the completion of the City’s Disparity Study. The program creates fair and equitable access to City contracting opportunities. We do this by:
- developing inclusive procurement practices
- monitoring City contracts
- providing technical assistance
- offering business certification, and
- connecting minority and woman-owned businesses to current and future contracting opportunities.
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Stay Connected
Sign up for updates from our Pathways to City Contracting Bulletin.
Outreach and Engagement
Outreach and Engagement
Information sessions
Minority- and woman-owned businesses (MWBE) can directly connect with department buyers at our info sessions. We want to foster stronger relationships and provide in-depth question and answer sessions. We partner with City Departments on specific contract opportunities. We also strategically source MWBEs based on the specific expertise needed for that project.
Opportunity fairs
Our Pathways to City Contracting opportunity fairs are held twice a year. These events create a space for MWBEs to learn about:
- upcoming contracting opportunities
- network and engage with various City Departments, and
- connect with our resource partners.
We hope that residents and businesses will cultivate ongoing relationships with our City Departments.
Contracting clinics
Our clinics help to inform bidders about how to find, submit, and be awarded City bids and RFPs. Each clinic focuses on specific types of contracts. Participants hear from City department officials who make procurement decisions. They also learn best practices through a panel discussion of successful bidders.
Topic discussions include the benefits of being "certified" as a minority- or woman-owned business.
Policy and process
Policy and processWe want to help those who have historically been underrepresented in City contracting.
Mayor Walsh signed an executive order establishing equitable procurement goals in support of minority and woman-owned...
The study identified challenges for minority- and woman-owned businesses in doing business with Boston.
Mayor Walsh signed an executive order in support of equitable procurement procedures in Boston.
Supplier Diversity Advisory Council
The Supplier Diversity Advisory Council meets quarterly. The council advises the City on:
- the implementation of the recommendations following the Disparity Study, and
- the creation of the new Supplier Diversity Program.
Our Supplier Diversity Advisory Council is composed of leaders from both the public and private sectors.
- best practices in supplier diversity
- technical assistance
- community economic development, and
- equity programs.
They work alongside Mayor's Office staff and make recommendations on policy and programming. You can see a list of the council members below:
- Zamawa Arenas, Flowetik, LLC
- Ingrid Beckles, Partners HealthCare
- Tavares Brewington, NAACP Economic Development Committee Chair
- Tiffany Brown-Grier, Massport
- JC Burton, Maven Construction
- Joseph Feaster, Assistant Secretary of A&F, Commonwealth of MA
- Betty Francisco, Amplify Latinx
- Peter Hurst, Greater New England Minority Supplier Diversity Council (GNEMSDC )
- Segun Idowu, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA)
- Greg Janey, Janey Construction
- James Jennings, Tufts University
- Beyazmin Jimenez, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
- Karen Kelleher, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
- Joe Kriesberg, MA Coalition of CDCs
- Glynn Lloyd, Business Equity Initiative, Eastern Bank
- Wiliam McAvoy, MA Supplier Diversity Office
- Shereen Shermak, Boston Women's Workforce Council
- Travis Watson, Mass Housing Investment Corporation
- Shelley Webster and Dakota Jones, Massachusetts Minority Contractor Association
- Flash Wiley, Flash H. Wiley, Esq
- Beth Williams, BW Consulting
- Teri Williams, One United Bank
- Steven Wright, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
- Kimberly Zouzoua and Melinda Leon, Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE)
