The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Freddie O'Connell, Mayor
Executive Order 33
Subject: Minority Business Advisory Council
I, Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me, do hereby find, direct, and order the following:
I. Background and Need
Minority-owned businesses, and the minority community, must be active participants in Metro’s economic development programs, initiatives and policies. Increasing the participation of minority businesses and community will promote the success of minority-owned businesses and improve Nashville’s economy.
II. Minority Business Advisory Council
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (“Metro”) is committed to promoting programs and advancing policies that close the gap in opportunities, assets, and wealth for minority-owned businesses. It is important for Metro to continue to provide access to programs, to promote policies, and to build a framework for discussions about how to remove barriers, increase awareness and improve minority business owners’ potential for success. To that end, Metro is committed to undertaking a collaborative effort with the minority business community to develop and implement strategies that will address known disparities, and facilitate longevity and wealth creation for minority business owners.
In order to increase participation by minority-owned businesses in the economic development of Nashville, to ensure that minority businesses have access to capital, procurement opportunities and technical assistance and that Metro creates a business environment that is conducive to inclusion, there is hereby created the Minority Business Advisory Council (the “Advisory Council”), staffed by the Department of Finance.
III. Role of the Advisory Council
The role of the Advisory Council will be to:
- Provide advice, insight and expertise to Metro in the diversification and opening of its markets, as well as the identification of business opportunities for minority-owned businesses;
- Provide guidance and feedback about Metro policies and legislation that would favorably impact the growth and development of existing minority business enterprises, and about practices that would increase the number of minorities starting businesses and further contributing to the growth of Nashville’s economy;
- Keep the Metro Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and the Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance abreast of important issues and trends in minority business growth, development and ownership;
- No later than January 31 for the previous calendar year submit an annual report to the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and the Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance that outlines concerns, issues and challenges regarding minority business development and growth and identifies potential initiatives to respond to those issues and challenges; and
- Implement community-facing engagement activities for higher education partners, private-sector business leaders and workforce development practitioners to provide updates on strategies, challenges and opportunities to impact workforce and talent pipelines that affect minority businesses.
IV. Advisory Council Composition
The Advisory Council shall consist of not more than twenty individuals who have been or are presently engaged in minority business development, either in private industry, in government service or as a scholar of recognized achievement in the study of minority business matters, as well as other individuals who are concerned about the development of minority businesses in Nashville. The Advisory Council shall include representation from at least one member of each ethnic group included in the definition of Minority/Women Business Enterprise, while including diverse individuals based on gender and national subgroups present in the region. Members of the Advisory Council shall include:
- A member of the Metro Business Assistance Office;
- The Metro Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer;
- One designee from the Metro Council Minority Caucus;
- The Finance Director designee;
- One designee from the Mayor’s economic development staff; and
- Up to thirteen non-Metro designees appointed by the Mayor as shall be deemed appropriate.
V. Governance; Support Staff; Meetings
The Mayor shall appoint the Chair of the Advisory Council. The Chair will provide leadership for the Advisory Council and will call meetings as needed. (Meetings will be held no less than once a quarter.) The Metro Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer will serve as the Vice Chair of the Advisory Council and help assist in staffing the called Advisory Council meetings. The delegate of the Business Assistance Office shall serve as Secretary.
Ordered, Effective and Issued: January 17, 2024
Freddie O’Connell
Metropolitan County Mayor