While 38% of the City of Seattle’s population is BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), City purchasing and contracting levels are at 14% for BIPOC businesses. On November 1st, Mayor Bruce Harrell launched an initiative to help address this disproportionality.

The Mayor signed an Executive Order directing his agencies to strengthen and renew the city’s commitment and actions to support women and minority (WMBE) companies seeking contracting and procurement opportunities with the City. The Mayor signed the order alongside Tabor 100’s President and CEO, Ollie Garrett; Seattle City Councilmember, Sara Nelson; Karla Malacon, President of the NW Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council and a host of other leaders who have been strong supporters of minority business opportunities in the city.

“Through this executive order we are codifying our commitment to create opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses, investing dollars back into their businesses, their employees and the communities they serve who have not always had a seat at the table or a fair shot at this work, said Mayor Harrell.

The executive order will build on the city’s consistent growth in spending with WMBE firms and accelerate the effort by focusing on six strategic priorities:

“I want to point out that the Executive Order specifically notes that Black-owned firms are less likely to participate in city contracting than other minority businesses. Minority businesses hire from their specific communities, meaning support to Black businesses support the Black community,” stated Ollie Garrett, President and CEO of Tabor 100.