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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

  • 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.

  • Sep
    24
    OEO Business Development Series - Strategic Business Development and Growth
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    Online

    OEO Business Development Series - Strategic Business Development and Growth

    September 24, 2025
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 2 hours
    Online
    map

    The Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) offers Business Development Workshops to empower minority-, women-, and disabled-owned businesses (M/W/DSBEs) with the skills, resources, and knowledge needed to thrive in Philadelphia's competitive business environment. These workshops focus on:

    • Enhancing business capacity and readiness for growth opportunities.
    • Providing guidance on City contracts, procurement processes, and certification.
    • Delivering industry insights and best practices to help businesses succeed.
    • Offering networking opportunities with City agencies, prime contractors, and business leaders.

    OEO's Business Development Workshops are designed to foster economic inclusion by equipping businesses with the tools they need to expand, secure contracts, and contribute to Philadelphia's vibrant economy.

    The Strategic Business Development and Growth Workshop is designed to help business owners develop and implement strategies that drive sustainable growth and long-term success. This workshop equips business owners with the tools and knowledge to develop a robust business strategy, navigate growth challenges, and create a clear path to long-term success in a competitive market.

    Presenter: Jack Wilson, SCORE

    Register for this workshop.

  • Nov
    12
    OEO Doing Business in the City: How to do Business with Drexel
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    Online

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

    November 12, 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 Drexel" Workshop provides businesses with essential insights into partnering with Drexel University, one of Philadelphia’s leading higher education institutions. This workshop equips business owners with the knowledge and tools to access opportunities with Drexel University, helping them build strategic partnerships and contribute to the university’s mission while growing their business.

    Presenter: Allen Riddick, Drexel University

    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
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