Charlotte-Mecklenburg Program Shows Positive Economic Impact On Minority, Women And Small Business Enterprises

Press release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools:

9/22/2020

A report presented at tonight's Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education meeting demonstrated Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' importance as a business driver for minority, women and small business enterprises (MWSBE) in the Charlotte metro area. The district contributed more than $134.6 million in gross domestic product through its Supplier Diversity Program.

The presentation made by Chiquitha Lloyd, CMS director of diversity and inclusion, showed significant progress since implementation in 2005 of the district's policy designed to engage MWSBEs.

Estimated economic impacts of the CMS Supplier Diversity Program are far reaching. The effort is estimated to have created 855 jobs in 2019-2020, contributing nearly $61.5 million in total income for those MWSBE employees.

"Our commitment to working with minority, women and small businesses contributes to the growth and development of diverse communities," Lloyd said. "We've made significant progress in many areas and remain focused on creating opportunities with an inclusive mindset."

Among other highlights of the report:

• Nearly 50 percent of total committed spending thus far on the district's 2017 bond initiative has been with MWSBE partners; thus far, $505.1 million has been committed of the $1 billion bond funding, with more than $216 million committed spend with MWSBEs (47.58 percent).
• In 2019-2020, $68.6 million, or 19.33 percent of eligible spending, was with MWSBE organizations.
• CMS has exceeded aspirational goals in three of the four defined categories: construction, contracted services and goods.
• Aspirational goals for minority businesses have achieved or exceeded goals in three of four categories: architecture/engineering, contracted services and goods.
• CMS exceeded women's business enterprise goals in three of four categories: construction, contracted services and goods.

CMS launched its effort to engage more MWSBE suppliers in 2005 after a 2004 study showed a number of disparities. That study led to development of 21 recommendations, forming the foundation for the policy implemented the following year.

The district's efforts continue, with a two-pronged approach to develop CMS students as contributors to the future workforce, and to provide opportunities for those in the area who are unemployed, underemployed, displaced and/or underserved. Strategic goals are to strengthen the workforce pipeline, align partner programs and services, establish a centralized outreach and recruitment program to complement the CMS Career and Technical Education program, and implement a workforce monitoring and reporting system.

This press release was produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.