Transcript: Mayor Adams Celebrates Back to Back Record Breaking Years for Supporting Minority and Women Owned Businesses

November 15, 2024

First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer: Good morning, everyone. My name is Maria Torres-Springer. I'm the first deputy mayor for the City of New York, and I am just filled with such pride and joy to be standing here today with so many colleagues across city government and so many partners in this mission.

We're here to talk about what I think will be legacy-defining for this administration, and that is our support of minority and women-owned businesses across the city. This journey, of course, began more than 30 years ago under the visionary leadership of Mayor David Dinkins, who laid the foundation for this program, which has since become such a key pillar in driving economic opportunity in our city.

And under Mayor Eric Adams' leadership, we are ensuring that it not only remains supported, but really prioritized across the work of the administration. Through his leadership, we are taking bold steps to address the historic and systemic inequities that have long persisted in government contracting and that have prevented M/WBEs not just from performing on those contracts, but driving the type of recovery and economic activity that is so key across our many neighborhoods. And so to tell you more about these bold steps and the work that we have accomplished together, the 110th mayor of New York City, Mayor Eric Adams.

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you so much, first deputy mayor, for just really, your role that you've played in staying true to our North Star of making sure those who are doing business with our city represent the diversity of our city. And when you look at my campaign pledges and promises, you can just start ticking off all the things I ran on. We actually, they are materializing in this city.

Everything from making sure our city is a safe city to going after reducing the cost of child care from $55 a week to less than $5 a week, high-speed broadband in our NYCHA facilities, what we're doing around medical debt, billions of dollars in medical debt saving. What we're doing with foster care children, paying their college tuition and giving them a stipend and life coaching at 21 years old. What you've done around housing, year after year, record numbers of affordable units of housing. You look at what we promised, and you're seeing these issues are materializing, and they're not disjointed.

In fact, they're all connected. And I think nothing personifies this role than the recruitment of Michael Garner to be our Chief Diversity Officer with a clear mission. His mission was to diversify the contracts that the city was having with individuals, and the team rolled up their sleeves, and we accomplished that task. A job well done. We're far from where we want to be, but we're going to continue to do so. And we are not an island.

As first deputy mayor mentioned, this was David Dinkins' dream. Over 30 years ago, he knew we had to do a job. It took 30 years before we continued the job that he started, but a promise delayed is not a promise denied. That promise is living today, every day, and is in alignment with our mission. That is why we have made record investments towards our minority and women-owned businesses here in the city. Women-owned business enterprise program, also known as M/WBEs, putting money back into communities that have been denied a fair shot for far too long. And what we saw when we invested locally, we were able to resolve another issue, unemployment. We witnessed a 20 percent decrease in unemployment among Black and brown New Yorkers because when you invest in local businesses, they hire locally, and we attack more than one problem at a time. And so today, I'm proud to announce another record-breaking year for M/WBEs in New York City.

Over the past year, we awarded the highest number of city contracts to M/WBEs ever. Ever. You know, I don't know how many times we said the first time ever. First time ever. First time ever. First time ever. And this is a legacy for us. We set a record for M/WBE awards within our city agencies with a utilization rate of 31.2 percent, the highest ever in the program's history. And we have awarded a total of $1.59 billion to M/WBEs across the city. 15 percent increase from fiscal year 2022, the first fiscal year of our administration.

Behind each of these numbers are stories, human stories and real stories, and you're going to hear one today. And the members of our city who have been locked out and denied access as they saw their small business operate, and our small business services, you know, being able to produce the highest number of small businesses operating in the city's history. This is what is allowing us to continue to see the return of our economy. City government is leading the way in showing you can invest in communities throughout the city and still deliver a quality product to New Yorkers. In too long, communities of color and women have been locked out of building wealth and have found it difficult to get their business off the ground. And so not only are we giving them the contracts, what Commissioner Gross is doing over SBS after Commissioner Kim's laying the groundwork, they're continuing to give the support to our small businesses so that they can continue to operate and grow.

This is the empire state. We're supposed to build empires, not destroy empires. And that is what this administration is doing with their business-friendly mindset. And our investment is all about opening the doors of opportunity for communities across the five boroughs and helping the young people who is dreaming of building a small business, lifting up the mom-and-pop stores in our communities and ensuring that they get a fair share and fair access. Broken people deserve their fair share, and we're giving it to them every day.

Make no mistake, our M/WBE program has achieved historic milestones, but we must set the bar even higher going forward. We do not want Michael Garner to rest. We want you to keep pushing forward. And that's why I'm proud to announce the creation of the M/WBE Advisory Council to help advance the administration's historic progress on supporting M/WBEs. Today they met earlier today. They're bringing their wealth of knowledge and information on how we can have an even better year. The council will be chaired by Chief Business Diversity Officer Michael Garner and co-chaired by former New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson and New York Building Congress Chairperson Emeritus Elizabeth Velez.

Really understanding how to move this issue forward and we're really excited about having them. This council will help us build on the progress we have already made and reach our moonshot goal of awarding $60 billion in fiscal year 2030. Three decades ago, Mayor David Dinkins made history by creating the city's minority and women-owned business. This administration is committed to carrying this legacy forward and standing with our M/WBEs.

Again, I want to thank the entire team and generals, but specifically Mayor's Office of Contract Services Director Lisa Flores, who is actually moving these contracts forward and again, Commissioner Gross over at Small Business Services. So we're not leaving you out there without the support that you deserve. Really proud of this moment. It means a lot to me, not only as a mayor, but just personally, I remember when Mayor Dinkins first put this in place and now we're able to continue the vision he had. He was a visionary. He understood if he could plant the seed, we have an obligation and responsibility to nurture that plant and allow it to grow. And today we're announcing the fruits of his harvest and the success of these amazing opportunities for women and minority-owned business. Thank you very much. Good job. Thank you.

First Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer: Thank you so much, Mayor Adams. As you mentioned, the formation of the M/WBE Advisory Council is critical to our efforts. We know that we can't do this alone and the Advisory Council, made up of leaders across so many different sectors of business and academia, are going to, and not-for-profits, are going to ensure that as we move forward with this mission, it is informed by their experiences, by what is happening on the ground, and we can take this work even further. So thanks to all of the members of our Advisory Council.

Next, I'm so happy to call up the person who does not sleep and apparently will sleep even less, given what the mayor just said, in the days and weeks to come, but has been focused relentlessly on making sure that all of the goals that we have, all of the plans that we have, get implemented in advance with the type of urgency that is needed. And so I've seen him in action. He seems to be everywhere all the time, but that is exactly what's needed to make sure that this is the type of work that really endures across agencies. So the quarterback for all of this work for us, I'm so pleased to welcome Michael Garner. Thank you.

Michael Garner, Chief Business Diversity Officer, Mayor's Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises: First of all, let me thank Mayor Eric Adams for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to come and direct the M/WBE program of the largest, most important city on the globe. I just want to personally thank you for giving me the opportunity.

And it is often said that superstar athletes win scoring titles, but teams win championships. I want to thank all of the respective deputy mayors and agency commissioners for executing the mayor's M/WBE goals, laser focus and results oriented. This is to Get Stuff Done Adams administration. And what the mayor also did was that he issued an executive order, which required the New York City independent agencies like NYCHA, School Construction Authority, to adhere to his goals.

So in addition to the highest number of contracts being awarded by the mayoral agencies of 1.6 billion, those other agencies came in, stepped up, and we, the City of New York, awarded $6.4 billion total last year to New York City certified M/WBE firms. There is no... There is no other city in the country or state in the country that has awarded a total of $6.4 billion in contracts to certified M/WBEs. This is one city, one M/WBE program, and the mayor has made it possible to have all the agencies aligned to his vision.

And so we understand that the mission of the City of New York is not only to award contracts in a cost-effective manner because it's taxpayers' money's being spent, but in a inclusive manner. And when there are barriers to entry, we are working under the leadership of Mayor Adams to work with our legislative officials up in Albany, coming up with solutions, changing state laws so the City of New York can award contracts in an inclusive manner. The record speaks for itself.

Everything that Mayor Adams said that he was going to do, he has done, and even more. So I just want to thank him once again, and we understand that access to government contracts equals job creation in communities of color who have historically been shut out. It also means homeownership opportunities for the business owners and better educational and healthcare options for their respective families. Thank you, Mayor Adams. Thank you.

First Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer: Thank you so much, Michael. So as many have pointed out already, this story, on one hand, it's a story of numbers. Nearly $13 billion in M/WBE contracts in the last two fiscal years. The third consecutive fiscal year of more than $6 billion in contracts towards the OneNYC goal, exceeding the citywide 30 percent utilization goal, really setting a record in terms of the use of the M/WBE small purchase method. The list goes on and on. Lots of numbers.

But what the mayor tells us all the time, is that this cannot just be about records and numbers. This is about individual people, individual businesses who are afforded opportunity because we are implementing these strategies, because we are moving with the type of energy and urgency that's needed. And so, therefore, I'm really pleased to call up to the podium our next speaker, Mr. Emmanuel Ola-Dake, who's the founder and CEO of the MOLA Group Corporation, which is an M/WBE-certified business that recently won a $46 million contract with the city. Emmanuel. Thank you.

Emmanuel Ola-Dake, Founder and CEO, Molaprise: Good afternoon, everyone. I'd like to thank the mayor's office for this invitation. I am Emmanuel Olo-Dake, CEO of Molaprise Almost 10 years ago, our journey began navigating opportunities in the city. One of resilience, innovation, and purpose, we started our journey. Through the challenges, the mayor's office and the entire administration have been supportive of our endeavor for equity and equality economically.

Through faith, determination, and leveraging the city's programs, we built a track record delivering cutting-edge solutions for over two dozen New York City agencies, that serves New Yorkers. Today, we partner with global technology leaders like HP, Microsoft, and Cisco to transform infrastructure, secure systems, and modernize IT operations. I recall when we first started this journey, starting from a $19,000 transaction to today managing over $46 million in contract.

Although our journey and success didn't come cheap, it reflects what's possible when M/WBEs have access to opportunities. I'm grateful to God, the City of New York, the mayor's office, and I stand here as proof of the city's commitment to procurement for small business like ours to enhance economic equity. Thank you for supporting businesses like ours and paving the way for future success stories. Thank you.

First Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer: Thank you so much, Emmanuel. The story of our company, I love that. It's the story of what's possible when we make opportunities available to M/WBEs. Thank you for all that you do.

So we, as I mentioned earlier, we can't do this alone. We don't do this alone. So much of the partnership and success that we have seen is because we have incredible champions in the state legislature who have been really walking alongside us, who have been leading on this issue and really ensuring that the city has all of the tools that it needs in order to make a real dent on this issue.

And so it's really my pleasure to first introduce Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and a champion in the state legislature who I've had the pleasure of working with for a very, very long time now and who never disappoints in terms of her advocacy for this issue and our city. Assemblywoman.

State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn: Good afternoon. Thank you so much. It's a pleasure to be here. My name is Assemblymember Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. I am the chair of the Assembly Subcommittee's M/WBE committee.

And today we are here united in celebration of a monumental achievement of our vibrant community of minority women-owned business enterprise under the leadership of our warrior mayor, Eric Adams. Our first deputy mayor, Maria Torres Springer. And our chief business diversity officer, Michael Garner, who was doing remarkable work long before at SCA, MTA, and now has taken this role and transformed it into the catalyst for positive change. And I have to say, Mike, when he said that he was going to help the mayor meet these goals, I was a little bit, you know... Those are kind of high goals, okay? You know, the mayor...

But, you know, it was surprising. $25 billion in contracts to M/WBE firms by 2026 with increases to $60 billion by 2060. It was... That's a jump. Two years later, we're not only on track to meet those moonshot goals, but we exceeded them. Thank you. I also want to also give a shout-out, join the mayor in giving a shout-out to our MOCS director, Lisa Flores, as well as our SBS commissioner, Dynishal Gross, who both have been an important role in advancing our agenda.

You know, New York City's continued record-breaking utilization rates and contract award amounts for M/WBEs are monumental economic achievements that are building true equality and benefiting all of New Yorkers. I also want to give a shout-out to Senator James Sanders, who could not be here, but he is my counterpart in the city. We've been working hard and making sure that we meet those goals, and I'm just really excited that we have Assemblymember Inez Dickens, who's also been part of the fight for M/WBE for a very long time. I'm here for her.

I just want to say that in 2022, we passed a law that doubled the threshold of contracts M/WBE bid for city's non-competitive procurement. We had lifted the ceiling from $500,000 to $1 million, and then in 2023, we did it again. We raised it from $1 million to $1.5 million. Yes, and this has paved the way for an astounding 41 percent increase in contracts. And I will say there's been just a number of other bills that we have passed and we could not do it without the leadership of our Mayor Eric Adams and our Chief Business Diversity Officer Mike Garner.

We instituted the OCIP-CCIP program, the mentorship program for small businesses across New York City, and so many more. So I just want to say that as we celebrate these achievements, let us remember that our work is far from over. We must continue to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in every facet of our city's operation and economy.

And together, we can create a future where every business and dreamer has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the economy vitally of New York City. So thank you for everyone for this incredible journey. Your passion, your dedication, and hard work have made these accomplishments possible. Let's move forward building a more inclusive and prosperous city for all. Thank you.

First Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer: Thank you so much. And finally, I am so thrilled to welcome to the stage another champion at the state level, has been a leader in this space for quite a while, but the incredibly fierce and incredibly iconic Assemblymember, Inez Dickens.

State Assemblymember Inez Dickens: Good afternoon, New York. I am an anomaly as an elected in that I am an M/WBE and an MBE, a small business owner. So when I got elected, I took that experience or the lack thereof with me to the legislature, first to the City Council, and now to the New York State Assembly.

I want to thank Mayor Eric Adams for having the foresight to get Michael Garner as the chief diversity officer who brought to this his experience and his expertise from the dormitory authority and MTA. And with that, he created a platform with the deputy mayor and with our mayor to see to it that our small M/WBEs and MBEs would get a fair share and a fair shot at contracts of the City of New York that before was so far removed from us that we did not see the goals.

Thank you, mayor. And thank you to our deputy mayor and the commissioners for having the foresight, the tenacity, and the will to carry out the mandate that was started by Mayor David Dinkins, who had a dream that New York City would indeed be fair, that all small businesses, Black and brown and women-owned, would have the opportunity to secure contracts, to imagine more than 30 percent, an unprecedented amount of small M/WBEs getting contracts that year before had never been done.

And so I want to thank the administration. I want to thank everyone here because without your fight, without your willingness to see to it that everyone can have generational wealth, that everyone can dream that they can own a business, that everyone can secure for their families a way of living so that unemployment could be eradicated so that we will hire from within the community.

So I thank you. I thank all that's standing here before you, for standing tall, for standing hard, for standing strong, to see to it that this great city of New York would indeed be fair as it proposed to be in the past. But today, under Mayor Eric Adams, it has proven that it is fair and that the fair share for wealth will be everywhere and diverse. Thank you. Thank you.

Mayor Adams: So we're, you know, and I think that what the assemblywoman indicated on both, to be honest with you, is just how we must all come together. You can set down a North Star, but if others are moving in the wrong direction, you're not going to accomplish the goal. So I would like to thank you for that. I would like to thank the city of Albany on increasing those discretionary numbers from 500,000 to 1 million to 1.5 million, what they did around local hiring, what we're doing with DCAS, Commissioner Molina, to make sure that some of the jobs that we are putting out there, RFPs that people are hiring locally, there's a lot of pieces to this.

And then the commissioners. For the commissioners to state were not going to have the inertia of what we've always done, getting in the way of doing the right thing, and they are monitoring their agencies. So it is a holistic approach that accomplished this goal. You know, one can say anything, but we need everyone to do something to reach that North Star, and we're accomplishing that in so many areas of this city, and we're going to continue to do so. So we'll open up to questions. Yes.

Question: Can you say, Mr. Mayor, how many jobs are actually created by this group? That's a good question. Do you have any numbers on that?

Garner: You know, it is often said that in construction, for every $1 million that's been awarded in construction, a total of 26 jobs are created or maintained. And so there is certainly $6.4 billion, if you multiply that, hundreds if not thousands of jobs are being created by taxpayers' dollars being dispensed equally and inclusively.

Question: As you've expanded this year and look to expanding further, what kind of oversight are there for these new contracts, and how will you scale those efforts as you continue to expand?

[Crosstalk.]

Mayor Adams: You know, each contract must go through a clear review. Lisa Flores, who we were just acknowledging previously, there's a clear review to make sure we get the product they deserve. And what I have shared with the team over and over again, and I've stated this on the campaign trail, not only must we be diverse, but we must get the best price for what we are asking vendors to give us, and it must be of the best quality.

That has been the most important aspect of what we're doing. It's not about just diversifying and then giving an inferior product. And in fact, what we're finding with diversity, we're getting a superior product. For far too long, we've been getting an inferior product. And we've been having the same vendors who have gotten comfortable with giving what I believe has not been the best product for our city. So we are focused on, we're going to make sure we monitor to get the superior product at the right price and diversity. You don't have to trade off, and that's what we're going to continue to do. How are you?

Question: How are you, sir?

Mayor Adams: Good, good.

Question: Congratulations to you, Mr. Garner. Mr. Emmanuel, your words are very moving. Do you have any reaction to the president's nomination for the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District?

[Crosstalk.]

Mayor Adams: We'll let that one go in.

Question: Involving the NYPD and several former members of your administration. Again, Marcia's question.

Mayor Adams: Yeah, give Marcia my love and tell her no, I don't. What's going on, Jeff?

Question: Not much, thank you. There's speculation that Prop 6 about M/WBEs failed, the only one to fail, because diversity, DEI, has become a negative buzzword. What's your reaction to that? Do you think that's true? And then also, with Prop 6 failing, does it change anything about the city's M/WBE program? Or would that just like, yeah, does it change anything?

Mayor Adams: We were extremely fortunate to get five out of the six propositions passed without really any advertisement. We just put the information out to the public, and the public responded to pass five out of the six proposals. And, you know, when New Yorkers disagree with something, we respect that. They made that determination. But this does not in any way impact what we are doing around the M/WBE program.

Question: In recent days, you've been talking about working class people when it comes to New York and speaking to them. I wonder, with this announcement today, how does that speak to that brand about making sure you're delivering for those working class people that worry about those issues other than all the other stuff going on?

Mayor Adams: The holistic approach, what we were able to achieve in Albany with the assembly persons that are here, of doing local hiring, increasing the discretionary dollar amount, and partnering with DCAS, former Commissioner Pinnock and now Commissioner Molina, of doing hiring halls. There was a real master plan of changing our website on how to go out and find city jobs, and now even the public sector is part of it.

We stood here with a young lady who needed permanent housing when we announced our numbers, our employment numbers, and she had a child with autism, and she needed a steady health care, and she walked into our hiring halls, and she was able to get employed. I believe that the hiring hall success, the employment decrease and unemployment is all tied together. We are now giving contracts to local businesses, as we just mentioned. They are hiring locally, and they are unafraid to give people a chance, even those who were formerly incarcerated.

Local investment creates local jobs, local hiring, and that goes after working class people, and that has always been our focus, to do the best we can for working class people, and we're doing that. Thirty billion dollars back into their pockets, everything from reduced fare, MetroCard, to making sure, as I indicated, to bring down the cost of child care, to all of these items. When we sit down and say, what are we going to do for New Yorkers, it starts out with working class people, and this is one of them. Thank you.

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