New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer has announced the launch of the M/WBE University, a year-long series of workshops designed to increase access to contracting opportunities for minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs).
According to a 2019 report, "Making the Grade," released by the Comptroller's office, New York City awarded $20.5 billion in contracts in FY19, of which only $1.007 billion (4.9 percent) were awarded to M/WBEs.
"New York City is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and that should be reflected in the way our government spends city dollars," said Comptroller Stringer. "Everyone deserves a fair and equitable chance to earn city business and build real wealth. The third installation of Comptroller's M/WBE University will continue to expand opportunities for business owners to gain access to city contracts and close the gap in city spending."
Since taking office, Comptroller Stringer's Office of Diversity Initiatives has evaluated each City agency's spending with M/WBEs in an effort to drive the City to improve its spending with diverse firms, and hold agencies accountable when they fail to do so.
To ensure minority and women business owners have an equitable chance to earn business from the City's multi-billion dollar procurement budget, participants will learn about the City's spending, strategies to address market trends, industry demographics and potential clientele .
M/WBE University will bring in representatives from major companies and connect M/WBEs to opportunities in fields within the Comptroller's Office. The series will hold a conference including Chief Diversity Officers, supplier and workforce diversity experts, and policymakers from around the country who will speak about the impact of making governments more inclusive of women and communities of color. M/WBEs will also have continued opportunity
WORKSHOPS
The list of workshops include:
February 27, 2020: Forecast of NYC Contract Opportunities
March 18, 2020: How to Join a Corporate Board
July 16, 2020: Pension Consultants Corner
August 6, 2020: Doing Business with the Comptroller's Office
December 4, 2020: M/WBE University Conference: The Future of Inclusive Government