Authorizing the creation of a Special Committee on City and Private Sector Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies to examine the impact of such policies and to provide practical, evidence-based recommendations to enhance policy effectiveness in the promotion of minority, women and disabled-owned businesses in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is an incredibly diverse City, yet business opportunities do not fully reflect such diversity; and

WHEREAS, while minority, women and disabled-owned businesses (M/W/DSBEs) play a vital role in providing thousands of jobs, vibrant commercial corridors and revenue that directly supports City functions, disparities in opportunity and barriers to entry persist; and

WHEREAS, such barriers include financial burdens, costly fees, discriminatory practices, lack of access to capital and equity-partnerships, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, the City and some private sector participants have developed DEI policies, barriers still exist that prevent M/W/DSBEs from competing in our local economy; and

WHEREAS, the City has an obligation to promote economic inclusion and equity for all. The City must make a focused analysis of the City’s DEI policies and procedures and those of the private sector as well. The City should also make recommendations on how best to implement these policies to ensure that every resident and business has the necessary tools to thrive; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council hereby authorizes the creation of a Special Committee on City and Private Sector Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies to examine the impact of City and private sector DEI policies and to provide practical, evidence-based recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of such policies in the City of Philadelphia; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That in furtherance of these goals, the Special Committee’s duties shall include, but not be confined to: convening regular meetings for planning and coordination; tracking the City’s progress in addressing barriers for M/W/DSBEs; examining the efficacy of current programs and policies; identifying regional and national best practices; and holding public hearings to obtain public input; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Special Committee shall submit a full report to the Council and the Mayor and make its findings and recommendations available to the public.

End