The City of Fort Worth is working with key stakeholders to enhance its business equity objectives. City officials from the Diversity & Inclusion and Environmental Services departments met on July 12 with Waste Management (WM) executive leadership and leaders from the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce (FWMBCC) to discuss strategies for improving business equity.
This collaboration follows a May 14 City Council decision to amend the Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) component of the existing contract with WM for residential solid waste services, including curbside garbage, recycling, and yard and bulk waste collections. The vote raised concerns among residents and community partners regarding commitments to business equity.
In response, WM and Fort Worth are focused on enhancing customer service and consistency in the residential collections program while advancing opportunities for minority-owned businesses. A key outcome of the July 12 meeting was the agreement to develop a 30-60-90-day action plan aimed at improving supplier diversity.
Assistant City Manager Valerie Washington noted the importance of maintaining open communication among all partners to tackle business equity challenges. FWMBCC president and CEO Michelle Green-Ford emphasized that the action plan will facilitate connections between potential suppliers and work opportunities.
WM's vice president, Domenica Farmer, expressed the company's commitment to supporting small businesses and diverse suppliers through sustainable supplier diversity efforts. An event is planned for this fall to further these business equity goals by bringing together WM, FWMBCC, and potential suppliers.
