THE QUARTERLY
The Office of Diversity in Business Practices
Our Mission:
It is the policy of The Office of Diversity in Business Practices (ODPB) to provide all persons an equal and fair opportunity to participate in procurement and contracting opportunities sponsored by the District.
Our ultimate goal is to support sustainable growth and economic opportunities for small, women-owned, and minority businesses. School Board Policy 6.143
|
|
FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK
Unconscious Bias: How It Influences Hiring
Dicky Sykes, M.Psy., CDP
The discussion of unconscious bias, also known as implicit bias, is critical when talking about diversity and inclusion. As much as we would like to believe that our conscious mind drives decision-making, a team of scientists have unraveled how the brain unconsciously prepares our decisions.
Unconscious biases are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside of their own conscious awareness. Biases are the stories we make up about people before we know who they are. Just like systemic racism is deeply embedded in structure (policy, procedures, and practices), unconscious bias is deeply embedded in the subconscious mind. Read More
|
|
A Life Changing Opportunity
The District has purchased over 87,000 computers from various sources Phone & Pad Warehouse is handling the vast majority of the integration services, including etching, enrollment and asset tagging. Read More
|
|
|
|
“Brian has not given me a reason to not give him this opportunity. They have done great work for us thus far, and we have no reason to complain.”
-Chris Persaud, Director of Technical Operations for the School District
|
|
When asked what this opportunity meant for his company, Brian Farrell, President of Phone & Pad Warehouse, a District Certified Small Business Enterprise, said just two words, “Life Changing.”
|
|
|
First Time Construction Management Contract
Hatcher Construction & Development was selected through an RFP process to install twenty-six concrete modular classrooms and a stand-alone restroom building at Jupiter High School’s old /greenhouse area along Toney Penna Drive. Read More
|
|
|
|
“Hatcher Construction exceeded all my expectations, and my expectations were high. They were at the job site- rain, sleet, Saturday, Sunday, I see them all the time, they are always here. This company is phenomenal. I never thought teachers would be in portables at this time.”
-Dr. Iannitti, Principal of Jupiter High School
|
|
“Hatcher has miraculously completed what we did not think could be achieved.”
-David Dolan, Deputy Chief of Facilities Management
|
|
|
The Message: Get Certified |
|
|
|
I.Q. Constructions, Inc. is a School District-certified Small Business Enterprise working as a prime vendor in jobs under $300,000. I.Q. is working at Crosswords Academy in Belle Glade and West Riviera Elementary School in Riviera Beach for the School District. The Crossroads Academy project consists of demolition, new flooring, a new laundry room, painting, and a new administration office. The West Riviera project is replacing the fire-rated ceiling in the building 1 corridor.
“The intense engagement from the Office of Diversity in Business Practices, led by Director Dicky Sykes, and the consistent follow-up from her amazing team, has encouraged me to tell more small businesses to get certified with The School District of Palm Beach County.”
-Claudia Mendoza, Owner / Qualifier of I.Q. Constructions, Inc.
|
|
B2G Now: The Latest Contract Compliance Data |
|
BidSync has changed its name to PeriscopeS2G.
No functionality changes will be made to the product. All bids and settings will remain the same, and all existing product and website links will also remain working. The only change is the product name/logo.
|
|
OUR DEPARTMENT ON THE WEB: CHECK IT OUT
The Office of Diversity in Business Practices (ODBP) revised its webpage with a total design makeover in November 2019 by incorporating user friendly icons, quick links, and videos. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, we created a page dedicated to COVID-19 resources, 10mins@10AM Virtual Resource Meetings, and a visual reminder of the five (5) key elements to stay safe and practice social distancing.
In addition to the total webpage redesign, our webpage has been modified for efficiency 27 times to provide the best user experience, with a total of 10,291 pageviews. Our mission is to inform the community of ODBP’s commitment to educate businesses on topics such as: How to Register & Certify with ODBP, New Solicitations, Upcoming Events, FAQ’s, and other user-friendly links. If the website does not work for the small business community, it doesn’t work for us.
|
|
EVENTS, TRAINING, AND OUTREACH |
|
|
|
Dicky has been featured on Coffee with Kelly several times to discuss issues surrounding systemic racism and unconscious bias. |
|
Feedback from Kelly Merbler:
“You really made an impact in the room yesterday and the comments I am getting are so incredible. The doll story is truly impactful and telling in our society. Wow, just wow. I heard from one of the attendees, she spoke to her 11 year old daughter last night after learning from you and found out her daughter has never had a Black child in any of her school classes. That really got her thinking how real this issue is. She posted it on Linkedin. The work we are doing is so meaningful and I truly am grateful for the partnership we have. Thank you for making the time to do this with us and to be a mentor to our group. They really love you.”
|
|
3rd Annual Small Business University 2020 |
|
Thank you Kaufman & Lynn for another year of partnership with SBU. An average of 75 attendees were present in each class. The ODBP is elated to graduate 46 participants from the 2020 11-week virtual program. |
|
SBU attendees described their training in one word as... |
|
Small Business University Crossword Puzzle – Test What You’ve Learned |
|
ODBP Hosts Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration |
|
|
|
The Office of Diversity in Business practices hosted their second-annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on September 25, 2020. The event showcased a variety of speakers, including Alexandra Ayala, the Palm Beach County School District's first Hispanic woman to be elected to the School Board. The event was held virtually and provided a platform for participants to network, receive training, test their Hispanic History knowledge with an interactive trivia game, and pitch their business during a sponsored "commercial break".
|
|
Upcoming Construction Outreach Events |
|
 |
CONSTRUCTION OUTREACH EVENT 10/21 |
|
|
|
CONSTRUCTION OUTREACH EVENT 11/18 |
|
|
|
In the News: Daymond John Launches Black Entrepreneurs Day to Inspire Black Business Owners to Persevere
More than 40% of Black entrepreneurs have shuttered their businesses amidst the pandemic. Daymond John turned his anger into action, the result: Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase for Business. This inaugural event will take place on October 24, 2020.
.
|
|
|
|
In the News: JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon slashed worker bonuses for not helping diversity efforts
The company plans to make a five-year, $30 billion commitment to advance racial equity Read More
|
|
|
|
MEET THE TEAM: YOLANDA FIELDS |
Contract Compliance Specialist for Goods & Services, Yolanda Fields has a strong passion to educate and assist minority-owned companies on “How to do Business with the School District of Palm Beach County.” Read More
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
