Comptroller Stringer Launches Year-Long Workshop Series for Minority and Women Business Owners to Expand Opportunities and Build Wealth Creation

(New York, NY) — Today, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer announced a year-long series of workshops designed to increase access to contracting opportunities for minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) and ensure all New Yorkers have an equitable chance to earn business from the City’s multi-billion dollar procurement budget. While City agencies are making important strides in delivering contracts to M/WBEs, major gaps remain. According to a report released by the Comptroller’s office last year, The City awarded $20.5 billion in contracts in FY19, of which only $1.007 billion (equal to 4.9 percent) were awarded to M/WBEs.

Comptroller Stringer’s M/WBE University will bring in representatives from major companies and connect M/WBEs to opportunities in fields within the Comptroller’s Office. For the first time, Comptroller Stringer’s series will include a conference sparking a conversation with Chief Diversity Officers, supplier and workforce diversity experts, and policymakers from around the country about the impact of making governments more inclusive of women and communities of color. M/WBEs will also have continued opportunity to learn about the City’s progress in spending, strategies to address market trends, industry demographics, and clientele that fit their services through Checkbook NYC and other resources through one-on-one assistance to navigate City procurement.

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

“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. The Office focuses on helping minority- and women-owned businesses successfully compete for public and private sector procurements which will enable them to grow, and on launching initiatives that put diversity at the heart of the way the City does business.

To see the schedule of Comptroller’s M/WBE University events and RSVP, visit http://comptrollerdiversity.eventbrite.com/ or email diversity@comptroller.nyc.gov. Interpretation services and other special accommodations can be arranged by calling (212) 669-4790.

To receive one-on-one help navigating City government, email diversity@comptroller.nyc.gov or call (212) 669-4790.

To read the full “Making the Grade” report, click here.

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