The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the creation of a new ad hoc committee to be known as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Board. The purpose of the Advisory Board is to provide feedback to the City of Frederick Mayor, Board of Aldermen, and city staff in carrying out initiatives related to equity advancement in the City, pursuant to Resolution 20-15, adopted by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen on July 16, 2020 and Resolution 20-17, adopted by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen on August 6, 2020.
The City has identified equity as a fundamental value and the foundation upon which we make the commitment to act to promote justice and fairness in the creation and implementations of priorities, policies, programs, and legislation. Members of this Advisory Board will serve as advocates for equity in the community, helping to highlight more voices and build momentum around our commitment to equity.
The Advisory Board will engage in discussions and activities related to advancing equity through (1) reviewing the City’s Procurement Policy for minority and women business enterprise (MWBE) participation, (2) recommending opportunities for community partnerships as a strategy to better understand and address equity impacts throughout the City, (3) periodically providing feedback on City initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and (4) serving as trusted messengers to the community at large.
The City is grateful to the members of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Review Panel that has spent the last few years building the foundation for this new Advisory Board. They dedicated time and insight into methods of improving the experience of minority and women owned businesses in the City of Frederick, including the launch the disparity study, which led to the realization of the new MWBE and Small Business Reserve programs as part of our City Procurement Policy.
The City is currently accepting expressions of interest to become a member of this Advisory Board. Members of the Advisory Board must be a resident of the City of Frederick or operate a business in the City. They should also demonstrate a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the City of Frederick and should be representative of the makeup of the community with the ability to build connections and engage fellow residents. Please express your interest by filling out the Commission Vacancy Application by March 31, 2022.