What we do
The Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) 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.
- Creating alliances within the City government and beyond.
Our partners include:
- City of Philadelphia departments.
- Quasi-public agencies.
- Private industries.
- Nonprofit sector.
See an overview of performance on City contracts through the Economic Opportunity Plan (EOP) Dashboard.
Connect
| Address |
1515 Arch St.
12th floor Philadelphia, PA 19102 |
|---|---|
|
iola.harper |
|
|
Phone:
(215) 683-2055
|
Join the OEO registry
To apply for or renew certification as a minority, woman, or disabled-owned business, join the online registry.
Leadership
Iola Harper joined the City in 2016, and in her role she oversees the Office of Economic Opportunity. The office works to increase involvement of minority, women, and disabled-owned enterprises on City contracts. Previously, Iola served as the executive vice president of The Enterprise Center. She has been recognized as a national small business advocate by the Small Business Administration and as one of “Philadelphia’s Most Influential Women” by the NAACP.
Towanda R. Livingston joined Commerce in 2018 after spending more than 25 years as a successful and award-winning diversity and inclusion executive in the utility industry. She played an integral role in shaping and leading efforts addressing issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion within organizations, operations, and diverse communities. Towanda also advocated for sustainable solutions to address issues of fair and equal access to competitive contracting and employment for diverse communities.