City of Philadelphia halts MWBE participation goals

PA News - Published Nov 14, 2025

The administration of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker of the City of Philadelphia has ceased the setting and pursuing of contract participation goals for minority, women, and disabled-owned enterprises, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Prior to this new policy, the City had a policy of aiming for 35 percent of total contract dollars spent with such certified businesses. The move comes amid various legislative, executive, and judicial challenges to race- and gender-conscious business participation goals.

According to a statement made to the Inquirer by a City lawyer, the City plans on replacing the program for minority, women, and disabled-owned enterprises with a program that attempts to similarly encourage the participation of businesses deemed "small and local".

Concurrently with the new development out of the Mayor's office, the City Council is expected to release a report it commissioned to study the City's policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Inquirer's reporting states that a draft version of that report recommends a shift to the "small and local" business participation criteria, as race- and gender-conscious criteria are vulnerable to legal challenges.

Read the Inquirer's reporting on the topic at https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/parker-administration-minority-contracting-women-20251113.html.