Skip to main content

Translate

It looks like your device language is set to . Would you like to translate this page?

Office of Economic Opportunity

Supporting minority, women, and disabled-owned businesses.

Office of Economic Opportunity

What we do

The Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) in the Department of Commerce ensures that the City is working with diverse businesses to fulfill its needs for goods and services. Each year, the City aims to reach 35 percent participation from minority, women, and disabled-owned enterprises (M/W/DSBEs) on its contracts.

OEO does this through:

  • Registering minority, women, and disabled-owned businesses.
  • Reviewing and monitoring contracts.
  • Supporting capacity-building efforts.
  • Promoting anti-discriminatory practices.
  • Providing advisory support and education to M/W/DSBE businesses.
  • Helping M/W/DSBEs become prime City contractors.
  • Creating alliances within the City government and beyond.

Our partners include:

  • City of Philadelphia departments.
  • Quasi-public agencies.
  • Private industries.
  • Nonprofit sector.

Connect

Address
1515 Arch St.
12th floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Email oeo.phila@phila.gov

Join the OEO registry

To apply for or renew certification as a minority, woman, or disabled-owned business, join the online registry.

Visit the OEO registry

Events

  • Aug
    12
    Invisible Warriors
    5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

    Invisible Warriors

    August 12, 2025
    5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, 3 hours
    To celebrate the Navy Yard's history as a former naval base, we are hosting Gregory Cooke, filmmaker of the documentary Invisible Warriors, which highlights the Black Rosies who worked at the shipyard during World War II. This free event includes a screening of the documentary and a Q&A with the filmmaker. More details will be shared here.
  • Aug
    14
    Succession Planning: Selling a business to the Workers
    4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
    Online

    Succession Planning: Selling a business to the Workers

    August 14, 2025
    4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, 1 hour
    Online
    map
    On Thursday, August 14th, from 4-5pm, the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance will host a virtual succession planning event: Think About It: Selling a Business to the Workers.

    Whether you’re a business owner preparing to retire or an owner searching for a way to retain jobs, develop leadership, and build wealth, employee ownership can help you move your business forward. You can also be a worker who wants to learn more about the pathway to buy the business from its current owner. Either way, learn more about options and funding to support your journey at our introductory webinar. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the session.

    Register now
  • Sep
    17
    OEO Doing Business in the City: How to do Business with PGW
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    Online

    OEO Doing Business in the City: How to do Business with PGW

    September 17, 2025
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 2 hours
    Online
    map

    The Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) offers Doing Business in the City Workshops to help businesses navigate opportunities, resources, and processes for successfully contracting with the City of Philadelphia. These workshops are designed to support minority-, women-, and disabled-owned businesses (M/W/DSBEs) by providing guidance on:

    • City procurement processes
    • Certification requirements for becoming a registered M/W/DSBE
    • How to find and bid on City contracts
    • Networking opportunities with City departments, agencies, and prime contractors

    The workshops equip businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to access City contracts, expand capacity, and grow sustainably, aligning with Philadelphia's commitment to economic opportunity for all.

    The How to Do Business with PGW Workshop provides businesses with essential information on partnering with Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), the largest natural gas utility in the city. This workshop equips business owners with the knowledge and tools to access contracting opportunities with PGW, helping them build valuable relationships and expand their business within the energy sector.

    Presenter: Dr. Erica Patterson, PGW

    Register for this workshop.

Leadership

Lynn T. Newsome
Deputy Commerce Director

Lynn Newsome became Deputy Commerce Director for the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) in April 2022. In her role, Newsome ensures that the City works with diverse businesses to fulfill its needs for goods and services. OEO aims to reach 35 percent participation from minority-, women-, and disabled-owned enterprises (M/W/DSBEs) on its contracts. Newsome joined the City in 2009, serving as Director of Compliance at the Division of Housing and Community Development (DHDC). In addition to her 13 years in city government, Newsome worked for 10 years in state government in the Department of Labor and Industry, the Governor’s Office of Administration, Pennsylvania State Civil Service Commission, Department of Public Welfare, and the Department of Health.

Staff

Name Job title Phone #
Deborah Booker Minority Business Enterprise Specialist II
Office of Economic Opportunity
(215) 683-2079
Mario Crestani Minority Disabled Business Coordinator
Office of Economic Opportunity
(215) 683-2068
Stephanie Cunningham Minority/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Specialist 1
Office of Economic Opportunity
Ariana Forde Executive Assistant
Office of Economic Opportunity
(215) 683-2057
Margaret Gotora Informational Management Analyst II
Office of Economic Opportunity
(215) 683-2037
A. Michelle Gumbs Senior Director for Capacity Building
Office of Economic Opportunity
(215) 683-2152
Nasia Hill Director for Special Projects
Office of Economic Opportunity
(215) 683-4775
Harsh Mehta Administrative Technical Trainee
Office of Economic Opportunity
(215) 683-2080
Tonya Morgan Clerk 3
Office of Economic Opportunity
Ekpenyong Oji Minority/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Coordinator
Office of Economic Opportunity
(215) 683-2078
Jennifer Ricciardi-Wise Registry Manager
Office of Economic Opportunity
(215) 683-2071
Melissa Wright Senior Director of OEO Data and Policy
Office of Economic Opportunity
(215) 686-2035
Sorry, there are no results for that search.

Top