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
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FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK
The Power of Mentorship in Small Business Enterprise Programs
Dicky Sykes, M.Psy., CDP
Starting your own business requires grit, courage, perseverance, and a vision for what is possible. Entrepreneurs must push forward long before they see results. One important relationship will make the entrepreneurial journey a little less treacherous. When you ask accomplished business owners how they achieved success, many will say they had a mentor who helped guide them throughout their business journey. Books and a formal education are great, but there is nothing like having someone who can maneuver you around potholes and pitfalls, providing you knowledge, tips, and tricks that would have taken you years to learn. Read More
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CONGRATULATIONS DICKY SYKES!
District Director Recognized as One of South Florida’s Influential and Prominent Women in Business Dicky Sykes, the Director of the School District’s Office of Diversity in Business Practices, has been named one of South Florida’s Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Industry. The honor is given by local business/news publication Legacy Magazine. Read More
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A new Term Contract for Demolition Services was awarded to six bid-awarded vendors. Of the six vendors, (3) are SBE-certified with the Office of Diversity in Business Practices. Congratulations to I.Q. Constructions, N&P Construction and Development, and K.D.G Inc., dba WILDCAT. The term of this contract shall be for (3) years and may be renewable for (1) additional two-year period. As a newly-certified vendor with the School District of Palm Beach County, K.D.G, Inc., dba WILDCAT has been in business since 1980. They specialize in large, management-intensive demolition projects offering turnkey packages from environmental remediation to implosion. Once again, congratulations to our bid-awarded SBE’s.
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The largest ongoing projects (Washington E.S., Plumosa School of the Arts addition, and Addison Mizner) have seen substantial progress, moving into proceeding phases. Twelve other projects are projected to be awarded between December and February with a total value of nearly 140 million dollars, providing a great number of opportunities for SBE-certified companies to participate. |
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B2G Now: The Latest Contract Compliance Data |
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Events, Training, and Outreach |
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To be Featured at the Supplier Diversity Construction Summit 2021:
"How to Prepare a Pay App"
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Don't miss the opportunity to receive training on "How to Prepare a Pay App" with The School District of Palm Beach County that will take place at our Construction Summit on Thursday, January 21, 2021. Register today!
Presented by: Angelino L. Garcia, LEED® AP BD+C, Senior Projects Administrator, Division of Facilities Management, PBCSD & David Massinello
Manager, Financial Applications, PBCSD
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We are Providing Certification Training in 3 Languages |
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Our SBE Program is on Fire |
Currently, the School District of Palm Beach County has more than 500 Certified Minority, Women Owned Small Businesses. Check out the video.
Kick off 2021 by applying to be certified with The Office of Diversity in Business Practices.
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In the News: Ethnic Studies and Racial Justice Courses Become More Popular, Benefiting All Students
Among the changes implemented by colleges and universities this year in response to the demand for more intentional racial justice efforts is an increased focus on ethnic studies and social justice curricula. Read More
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In the News: Papa John's Cooks up a Supplier Diversity Program from Scratch
A top-down mandate and good data are essential ingredients in a successful effort to diversify suppliers, said the pizzamaker's director of diversity, equity and inclusion. Read More
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In the News: Women of Color Need Courageous Allies in the Academy: Part Two
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On December 7, INSIGHT Into Diversity hosted the second webinar in a new discussion series titled “Women of Color Need Courageous Allies in the Academy.” Featuring expert panelists from colleges and universities across the U.S., the series explores how White women can be allies in the fight for racial and gender equality in higher education and society. Read More
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A Book is a Gift You Can Open Again and Again |
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State Contracting Donation to the Education Foundation |
District Certified SBE State Contracting supported the Education Foundation by generously donating $5,000.00 worth of student book bundles. |
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Meet The Team: Nicolas Tarrago |
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Nicolas works as a certification analyst for the School District of Palm Beach County. He joined the District in August of 2019 and helps our local, small, and minority-owned businesses get certified with the District. Nicolas processes the Minority & Women Business Enterprise applications and works as the ODBP's unofficial proofreader. Nick enjoys listening to music and studying music structure, going out for runs, rewatching his favorite shows, and hanging out with his rescue cat, Luke. |
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS VIDEO MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM |
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Follow our department on social media |
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